Ex-Mustang named to FSL all-star team

By BOB PUTNAM
Published June 3, 2005

Former Mitchell star Tyler Clippard has been fortunate to play two of his first three seasons in the minor leagues in front of hometown fans.

On Thursday, the Tampa Yankees pitcher received more good news when he was selected to play in the Florida State League all-star game June18 at Brighthouse Networks Field in Clearwater.

Selected in the ninth round of the 2003 amateur draft, Clippard has made the necessary steps on the organizational ladder. He started off in the Gulf Coast League as a rookie before making his way to Battle Creek (Mich.) last season.

This season, Clippard, a right-hander, is 6-4 with a 2.28 ERA. He also is second in the league in strikeouts with 70.

At Mitchell, Clippard was 6-4 with a 1.18 ERA as a junior and 1-1 with a 0.81 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 171/3 innings as a senior before he was dismissed from the team after a misdemeanor DUI charge.

He transferred to Dunedin, hoping to play for the nationally-ranked Falcons, but the Florida High School Athletic Association's guidelines prohibit midseason transfers, so he was ineligible. After a month, he transferred back to Mitchell where he graduated with friends in 2003.

[Last modified June 3, 2005, 01:17:23]