Max Scherzer and Chris Sale both pitched for the La Crosse Loggers

Rochester, Minn. — The Northwoods League is proud to announce that former La Crosse Loggers Max Scherzer and Chris Sale have been named the starting pitchers for the National and American League for the 2017 MLB All-Star Game which will take place on July 11 at 7:00 p.m. CST.

"First off, we are thrilled for both Max and Chris to once again be recognized for their great seasons with another All-Star selection,” said Loggers General Manager Chris Goodell. “We were honored to be able to be a small part of their careers, albeit a very important part of their development as young pitchers back in 2004 and 2008 respectively.  And for our Logger organization, their efforts have created a dream pitching matchup on baseball's biggest stage for tomorrow night that we cannot wait to witness.”

Scherzer, a two-time Cy Young Award Winner and five-time All-Star, pitched for the Loggers in 2004. In 17 appearances that summer, he went 2-1 with a 1.91 ERA and struck out 50 batters in 33 innings pitched.

Sale, a six time All-Star and the league leader in strikeouts for the 2015 season, pitched for the Loggers in 2008. Over 17 games with the Loggers he went 2-3 with a 3.23 ERA. He also struck out 74 batters in 53 innings pitched.

"The Northwoods League could not be more thrilled that two Northwoods League alums, Max Scherzer and Chris Sale, are squaring of as the starting pitchers against each other in the MLB All-Star Game," said Northwoods League President Gary Hoover.  "And, very interestingly, both are also alums of the La Crosse Loggers.  I begin to wonder if there isn't something magical about Copeland Park."

Along with Scherzer and Sale, former Wisconsin Woodchuck Pat Neshek of the Philadelphia Phillies was chosen for the game. Neshek, who pitched for the Woodchucks in 2000, is now a two time All-Star.

While with the Woodchucks Neshek went 4-5 with a 3.23 ERA in 11 games. He also struck out 38 batters in 64 innings pitched.

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The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. The 23-year old summer collegiate league is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 20 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, 180 former Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including two-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champion Ben Zobrist (CHC) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (BOS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET), Curtis Granderson (NYM) and Lucas Duda (NYM). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. For more information, visit www.northwoodsleague.com or download the Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play.