MAJOR AMBITIONS

The following is a listing of players with area ties who are competing in professional baseball.

Included in the list are each players' local connection, his last year as an amateur and his major league affiliation. Statistics are through Sunday.

Steve Bieser, OF (Ste. Genevieve High School, Southeast Missouri State 1989) St. Louis Cardinals:

Bieser, a 12-year minor league veteran who has played parts of two seasons in the majors, is batting .266 with seven doubles, two triples, seven RBIs, 25 runs scored and five stolen bases for the Class AAA Memphis (Tenn.) Redbirds.

Talley Haines, RHP (Cape Central High School, Southeast Missouri State, Freed Hardeman 1998) Tampa Bay Devil Rays:

Haines, in his third pro season, was promoted earlier this year to the Class AA Orlando (Fla.) Rays. He has appeared in eight games and has an 0-0 record with a 1.84 ERA. In 14 2/3 innings, he has allowed seven hits while striking out 12 and walking six.

Dan Huesgen, RHP (Southeast Missouri State 2000), Toronto Blue Jays:

Huesgen, selected in the 38th round of this year's draft, is with the Queens (N.Y.) Kings, a short-season Rookie League team that has not yet started its season.

Jeremy Johnson, OF (Egyptian High School, Southeast Missouri State 2000) Toronto Blue Jays:

Johnson, selected in the 26th round of this year's draft, recently began his season with the Advanced Rookie League Medicine Hat (Alberta) Blue Jays. He is batting .333 (5-for-15) with two home runs, five RBIs and five runs scored.

Steve Lowe, IF (Southeast Missouri State 1999) Cleveland Indians:

Lowe, in his second pro season, is batting .305 with one home run, three doubles, three triples, 19 RBIs, 15 runs scored and three stolen bases for the Class A Columbus (Ga.) Redstixx.

Cliff Politte, RHP (Cape Girardeau Capahas 1997) Philadelphia Phillies:

Politte, who is in his fourth pro season and has spent parts of two seasons in the majors, is back in the big leagues after being recently called up from Class AAA Scranton-Wilkes Barre (Pa.). He is 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA for the Phillies, allowing 17 hits while striking out 15 and walking eight in 16 innings.

Kerry Robinson OF (Southeast Missouri State 1995) New York Yankees:

Robinson, who is in his sixth pro season and has spent brief parts of two years in the majors, is batting .283 with 10 doubles, five triples, 14 RBIs, 34 runs scored and 22 stolen bases for the Class AAA Columbus (Ohio) Clippers.

Ryan Spille, LHP (Southeast Missouri State 1999) Toronto Blue Jays:

Spille, in his second pro season, is 7-5 with a 4.74 ERA for the Class A Dunedin (Fla.) Blue Jays. In 74 innings, he has allowed 79 hits while striking out 50 and walking 23.

Kevin Vent, RHP (Sikeston High School, Arkansas 1999) San Francisco Giants:

Vent, in his second pro season, is 1-5 with a 6.43 ERA for the Class A Bakersfield (Calif.) Blaze. In 28 innings, he has allowed 49 hits while striking out 23 and walking 19.

Matt Whiteside, RHP (Charleston High School, Arkansas State 1990) San Diego Padres:

Whiteside, who is in his 11th pro season and has spent most of five seasons in the majors, is 2-0 with an 2.38 ERA with the Padres after being called up earlier this year from Class AAA Las Vegas. In 22 2/3 innings, he has allowed 11 hits while striking out 19 and walking 11.