July 11, 2010

Allendale, Mich. - Former Grand Valley State baseball player and current Chicago White Sox reliever Matt Thornton has been selected to represent the American League in the 2010 Major League All-Star game it was announced earlier this week by Major League Baseball. This will be Thornton's first-ever appearance in the mid-summer classic that will take place Tuesday, July 13 in Anaheim, California at Angel Stadium.

Thornton is in his seventh major league season overall and his fifth with the White Sox. Matt was a first-round pick by the Seattle Mariners in the 1998 amateur draft (22nd pick in 1st round). He was traded to the White Sox prior to the 2006 season and has become one of the best left-handed relievers in baseball. Thornton has a 2.75 ERA with 211 strikeouts in 174.1 innings the last three years and is 2-3 with a 2.70 ERA and 49 strikeouts in 2010.

"We are extremely proud of Matt and his accomplishments following his time at Grand Valley State," said 12th-year head coach Steve Lyon. "He is very deserving of his All-Star selection and we wish him well at the 2010 All-Star game and the remainder of the 2010 season."

Thornton has logged 376.1 innings in his 386 major league appearances with 404 strikeouts.