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06/24/2009 6:32 PM ET
Former Cardinals teammates Smith and Oquendo to manage in 2009 XM All-Star Futures Game
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Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith and St. Louis Cardinals third base coach Jose Oquendo will manage in the 2009 XM All-Star Futures Game, it was announced today. Smith will lead the U.S. Team while Oquendo will be at the helm of the World Team on Sunday, July 12th at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.

Now in its 11th year, the XM All-Star Futures Game features the top Minor League prospects competing in a nine-inning contest as part of Taco Bell All-Star Sunday. The game will begin at 2:00 p.m. (EDT)/1:00 p.m. (CT) and can be viewed live on ESPN2, ESPN2 HD and MLB.TV. XM will provide satellite radio play-by-play coverage of the XM All-Star Futures Game on XM 175 in addition to its other comprehensive live coverage from St. Louis. Taco Bell All-Star Sunday is the first of three days of All-Star events at Busch Stadium, culminating with the 80th All-Star Game on Tuesday, July 14th.

A 15-time All-Star, Smith played 15 of his 19 seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals. Known for his famous backflip, Smith transformed defensive play at shortstop with his acrobatic fielding while setting Major League shortstop records for assists, double plays and total chances. A 13-time Rawlings Gold Glove winner, Ozzie helped the Cardinals capture the World Series Championship in 1982, and was later named the Most Valuable Player of the 1985 National League Championship Series after his ninth inning, game-winning home run in Game Five propelled the Cardinals to the Fall Classic once again. "The Wizard of Oz" also collected 2,460 hits and 580 stolen bases during his career, and won the National League Silver Slugger Award at shortstop in 1987. Smith, whose uniform number 1 was retired by the Cardinals in 1996, was a first-ballot Hall of Fame inductee in 2002.

Oquendo, currently in his 10th season as third base coach for the Cardinals, was originally signed by the New York Mets as an amateur free agent in 1979 and played 12 seasons in the Majors as an infielder and outfielder with the Mets (1983-84) and the Cardinals (1986-1995). In 1,190 Major League games, Jose posted a .256 average with 14 home runs and 254 RBI. In 1988, "The Secret Weapon" became the first N.L. player since 1918 to play all nine positions in one season, and he established single-season Major League records for highest fielding percentage (.996) and fewest errors by a second baseman (three) in 1990. A native of Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, Jose managed Team Puerto Rico in the inaugural World Baseball Classic in 2006 and again in 2009, leading the team to the semifinal round. Oquendo, who will manage in his home ballpark, becomes just the second manager of a Futures Team to manage while serving as a coach for a Major League club, joining Jim Rice, who was the hitting coach for the Boston Red Sox in 2000 when he managed the U.S. Team.

Coaches for the U.S. and World Team are as follows:

U.S. Team Coaches

Derek BotelhoPitching coach, Gwinnett BravesAtlanta Braves International League / AAA
Tony DeFrancescoManager, Sacramento RiverCatsOakland Athletics Pacific Coast League / AAA
Tony FranklinManager, Trenton ThunderNew York Yankees Eastern League / AA
Terry KennedyManager, San Antonio MissionsSan Diego Padres Texas League / AA
Torey LovulloManager, Columbus ClippersCleveland Indians International League / AAA
Bob MiscikManager, Huntsville StarsMilwaukee Brewers Southern League / AA

World Team Coaches
Bobby CuellarPitching coach, Rochester Red WingsMinnesota Twins International League / AAA
Ever MagallanesManager, Birmingham BaronsChicago White Sox Southern League / AA
Charlie MontoyoManager, Durham BullsTampa Bay Rays International League / AAA
Mako OliverasManager, Binghamton MetsNew York Mets Eastern League / AA
Luis PujolsManager, Corpus ChristiHooks Houston Astros Texas League / AA
Edwin RodriguezManager, New OrleansZephyrs Florida Marlins Pacific Coast League / AAA

The 25-man rosters for the U.S. and World Futures Teams will be revealed Thursday on MLB.com along with extensive player information and video. The rosters have been selected by Major League Baseball in conjunction with the Major League Baseball Scouting Bureau, MLB.com, Baseball America and the 30 Major League Baseball Clubs.

The Minor League Baseball Umpires who will work the XM All-Star Futures Game are Matt Schaufert (home plate) of the Southern League, Mike Jarboe (first base) of the Pacific Coast League, Chris Ward (second base) of the Southern League and Shaun Francis (third base) of the Eastern League. Schaufert will join Ward and Francis as umpires for the State Farm Home Run Derby while Jarboe, along with Ward, will take on officiating duties for the Taco Bell All-Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Game. Tickets are still available for purchase for the XM All-Star Futures Game and Taco Bell All-Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Game by visiting www.allstargame.com, calling 1-888-326-3378 or visiting the Cardinals box office at Busch Stadium.

The 80th Major League Baseball All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX Sports, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and Sportsnet HD and televised around the world by Major League Baseball International, with pregame ceremonies beginning at 8:00 p.m. (EDT)/7:00 p.m. (CDT). ESPN Radio will provide exclusive national radio coverage, while MLB.com will provide extensive online coverage. XM will provide satellite radio play-by-play coverage of the XM All-Star Futures Game plus live pregame and postgame talk programs from the State Farm Home Run Derby and the 80th All-Star Game.

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