Miami Former Citadel baseball player Dallas McPherson was promoted to the major leagues Monday as the Florida Marlins promoted him from the Triple-A ranks of the minor leagues. McPherson was one of five players called up on the first day major league teams could expand their rosters heading into the homestretch of the 2008 season.

At Triple-A, McPherson won the home run title with 42. The left-handed hitting third baseman added 98 RBIs while batting .275. He provides a power bat off the bench.

The move came after McPherson belted two home runs for the Albuquerque Isotopes, propelling the Isotopes to a 9-1 win over the Round Rock Express on Aug. 30.

McPherson joins the Marlins as professional baseball's home run leader, recording 40 home runs for the Isotopes this season. McPherson was also named Albuquerque's Most Valuable Player and was named to the All-Pacific Coast League. McPherson tied a Minor League record earlier this season by homering in seven straight games and enjoyed a streak in late June in which he reached base in 30 consecutive contests.

On two separate occasions this season, McPherson also tied a franchise mark by belting three homers in a game, becoming the first player in team history to achieve that feat twice in one year.   

McPherson was also selected by PCL managers, media, and fans to participate in the mid-season Triple-A All-Star Game and Home Run Derby, but was unable to attend because of family reasons.

This marks the fourth season in which McPherson has appeared in a major league uniform, playing for the Los Angeles Angels from 2004-2006. McPherson sat out the 2007 season with an injured back before signing with the Marlins organization prior to the 2008 season.

Named Sporting News' Minor League Player of Year in 2004, McPherson is a candidate for the same award this year after a stellar season in Albuquerque.

McPherson joins the big league organization as the Marlins are seven games behind in the race for the National League East Division, behind divisional leader New York and Philadelphia (two games back). The Marlins are 10.5 games back and in fifth in the National League Wild Card race.

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