Zachary McKenney, Clayton Evans Participate On Coaches' Choice All Star Team

Thirty-five graduating senior baseball players from St. Louis and St. Louis County public high schools had the opportunity to compete against one another on the legendary field of the 2011 World Series champions during the Delta Dental’s SmilesLEAGUE Coaches’ Choice All-Star Baseball Game at Busch Stadium June 16. The game was played following the 1:15 p.m. St. Louis Cardinals vs. Kansas City Royals baseball game.

Admission to the game was free and gates opened after the conclusion of the Cardinals game. Each of the SmilesLEAGUE all-star athletes was selected by their school’s coaching staff. Players from the participating St. Louis City and County public high schools were randomly combined to form the “All-Star Blue Team” and the “All-Star Green Team.”

The "All-Star Blue Team” was coached by former Cardinals third baseman Scott Cooper, a St. Louis native who played high school baseball for the Pattonville Pirates, spent seven seasons in the major leagues and was a member of the American League All-Star team in both 1993 and 1994. See attached for a complete listing of selected “All-Star Blue Team” players.

The “All-Star Green Team” was coached by former Cardinals outfielder Kerry Robinson, who is also a St. Louis native. Robinson was a three-sport athlete for the Hazelwood Spartans and went on to play for the Tampa Bay Rays and was a Cardinal from 2001 to 2003, appearing in the post-season in 2001 and 2002.

First baseman Zachary McKenney, of Northwest High School, was on the blue team. Centerfielder Clayton Evans, of the state champion baseball team played on the green squad. Evans also participated in the Home Run Derby.

The game was announced by Jennings High School’s head baseball coach Lance Hash and Gerald Quincy Jones. The national anthem was presented by Brianna Hernandez from Carnahan High School. Fredbird and Delta Dental’s Tooth Wizard were also on hand entertaining attendees.

In addition, representatives of Delta Dental continued to promote its new oral health initiative designed to help create a tobacco-free generation of healthy kids. St. Louis native and Cardinals David Freese is the spokesperson for this campaign.