Former Jayhawk Pitcher Gorzelanny Named Finalist for 2007 All-Star Final Vote

July 2, 2007

LAWRENCE, KAN. –

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher and former <?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>University of Kansas Jayhawk Tom Gorzelanny has been nominated as one of five finalists for the 2007 All-Star Final Vote. This final All-Star roster spot will be decided by an online fan vote which began Sunday night and ends at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 5th.<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>

Tom is deserving of an All-Star selection. He is 8-4 with a 3.05 ERA, which currently ranks 9th in the league. Since July 23, 2006, Gorzelanny ranks second among all left-handed pitchers in the majors with a 2.89 ERA behind Minnesota’s Johan Santana (2.61). During the 2007 campaign Gorzelanny has recorded 12 quality starts, which is tied for the fourth-most in the National League behind Brad Penny, Jake Peavy and Tim Hudson.

Last year Gorzelanny was Pittsburgh’s Minor League Pitcher-of-the-Year after going 6-5 with a 2.35 ERA with Triple-A Indianapolis. He was selected to play in the All-Star Futures Game during All-Star Week at PNCPark. His career minor league totals include a 25-19 record, 407 strikeouts and a 2.91 ERA (408.0ip/132er).

Click on the following link to cast you vote up to 25 times per e-mail address until Thursday: http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/all_star/y2007/fv/ballot_pop.html .