Paul
Lo Duca
C, Los Angeles
31 (4-12-72)
1st appearance
5 key numbers
.307 batting avg.
.348 home avg.
6 home runs
34 RBIs
36% caught stealing
Why Phil Rogers says he’s here
Selected over equally deserving Pudge Rodriguez and Benito Santiago.
Richie
Sexson
1B, Milwaukee
28 (12-29-74)
2nd appearance
5 key numbers
.263 batting avg.
25 home runs
70 RBIs
60 runs
.513 slugging pct.
Why he’s here
Took advantage of transition year for Jim Thome to win a backup spot.
Luis
Castillo
2B, Florida
27 (9-12-75)
2nd appearance
5 key numbers
.311 batting avg.
60 runs
14 steals
.375 on-base pct.
.977 fielding pct.
Why he’s here
The least deserving member of Florida’s double-play combo slides in.
Aaron
Boone
3B, Cincinnati
30 (3-9-73)
1st appearance
5 key numbers
.261 batting avg.
16 home runs
56 RBIs
50 runs
12 stolen bases
Why he’s here
Ability to play third and second gave him edge over other borderline Reds.
Rafael
Furcal
SS, Atlanta
24 (8-24-78)
1st appearance
5 key numbers
.282 batting avg.
13 home runs
38 RBIs
72 runs
14 stolen bases
Why he’s here
.350 on-base average and speed gave him spot over Expos’ Orlando Cabrera.
Mike
Lowell
3B, Florida
29 (2-24-74)
2nd appearance
5 key numbers
.275 batting avg.
28 home runs
76 RBIs
62 runs
.586 slugging pct.
Why he’s here
He’s been the majors’ best third baseman and should be starting.
Jim
Edmonds
OF, St. Louis
33 (6-27-70)
3rd appearance
5 key numbers
.303 batting avg.
28 home runs
67 RBIs
6` runs
.668 slugging pct.
Why he’s here
On pace for career high in home runs to help NL’s best lineup.
Luis
Gonzalez
OF, Arizona
35 (9-3-67)
4th appearance
5 key numbers
.310 batting avg.
18 home runs
67 RBIs
63 runs
.560 slugging pct.
Why he’s here
Injuries to Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling forced search for a Diamondback.
Geoff
Jenkins
OF, Milwaukee
28 (7-21-74)
1st appearance
5 key numbers
.275 batting avg.
20 home runs
68 RBIs
57 runs
.515 slugging pct.
Why he’s here
Solid numbers were helped by strong campaign to win vote for 32nd spot.
Andruw
Jones
OF, Atlanta
26 (4-23-77)
3rd appearance
5 key numbers
.280 batting avg.
23 home runs
64 RBIs
61 runs
.522 slugging pct.
Why he’s here
Nobody’s more fun to watch in the outfield and he produces runs too.
Rondell
White
OF, San Diego
31 (2-23-72)
1st appearance
5 key numbers
.275 batting avg.
.303 home avg.
16 home runs
52 RBIs
2 grand slams
Why he’s here
Use of the DH rule allows Dusty Baker to operate with eight outfielders.
Preston
Wilson
OF, Colorado
28 (7-19-74)
1st appearance
5 key numbers
.307 batting avg.
23 home runs
91 RBIs
115 hits
.583 slugging pct.
Why he’s here
Only Carlos Delgado has more RBIs than guy who is thriving in Colorado.
