Show I Former Bruin Shelton explodes onto national baseball scene Josh Collins Contributing Writer A previously obscure player in in Major Shelton exploded Baseball Chris League eague in dramatic drama c fash fash- this year the scene onto of Salt Shelton a native 17 ion On April lea American-lea- Xe Lake became the fastest to hit 9 nier ever guer ranked first in in the is cur currently Shelton heton s and in American League isn't nt he be says Shelton ton But She bat batting balling ng average records he only personal aiming ming to set any the team learn improve wants wanis to lo help number goals I try not nol serve to set as personal a distraction dis traction on Shelton on they can the end of the season said If get gel near you goals you youcan youcan and you haven't reached your ff numbers and your struggle can begin to lo might actually suffer The first baseman has had success with wilh numbers at al every level hes he's played Shelton played two years at andin and andin andin in the 2000 season he was named Second Team All In 2001 while playing at the University of Utah Shelton was named Mountain West Conference Player of the Year and was named to lo the All- All Mountain West Wesl Conference Team The third year pro says he enjoyed l his s time lime me at and at the U and feels that thai both bolh schools helped prepare him for the major leagues Although Shelton has proven l himself atall at atall all levels he doesn't like the spotlight Its an adjustment period I consider myself to be a low prof profile e guy said Shelton Shelton made l his s major league debut on Apr 15 IS 2004 against the Toronto Blue Jays and went hitless in two Iwo at Five days later Shelton got l his lus s first hit hil a double double dou dou- i ble and his first major league home- home run all run feet of came it just over a month Chris Shelton later Shelton started the 2005 season with Triple-A Triple Toledo bat batting balling ng and l hitting hilling t ng eight On May 31 of that year Shelton was called up to lo Detroit to replace an injured Carlos Pena Since then Shelton Cont Cant on Page 8 Shelton Cont from front Shelton has become a permanent permanent permanent perma perma- nent fixture on the Tigers' Tigers active roster and has continued to improve constantly into the hitting hitting hitting hit hit- ting machine he is today Saying he didn't do anything different in the season off no noone noone noone one expected the year old to tobe tobe tobe be off to such a quick start this year and he hopes it gives his team a better chance at success As long as we have a chance to compete it gives us another chance to win Shelton said But whatever happens happens hap hap- pens Tl The Tigers at 7 10 are tied for second in their division with the Cleveland Indians and need all the help they can get in their division especially if they hope to contend with current division leaders reigning World Champion Chicago White Sox |