A dream diamond from the Silver State

Monday, April 3, 2006 | 7:58 a.m.

In celebration of the start of the major league baseball season, we present the Nevada Nine - our starting lineup with ties to the Silver State. Only players that were born in Nevada, attended high school or college here or currently live within the boundaries of the 36th state in the union were considered.

It's actually more than nine players, because we wanted to include a southpaw pitcher for those tough left-handed sluggers, a reliever and a designated hitter. We'll take on anyone with this team - except California, Florida and Texas.

RHP: Greg Maddux

Chicago Cubs, 39, Raised and lives in Las Vegas

"Mad Dog" will be a surefire Hall of Famer, and we'll even grant him his wish of playing outfield for a few innings.

LHP: Barry Zito

Oakland Athletics, 27,

Born in Las Vegas

He sports one of the best curveballs. The slick lefty has never had a losing record in the majors.

REL: Mike MacDougal

Kansas City Royals, 29,

Born in Las Vegas

Has 48 saves in two of his past three seasons; had a career-low 3.33 ERA in 2005.

C: Toby Hall

Tampa Bay Devil Rays, 30,

UNLV graduate

Hit the big time last year, making seven figures ($1.95 million) for the first time in one season. Toby, tax time is fast approaching.

1B: Jason Giambi

New York Yankees, 35,

Las Vegas resident

Went deep 32 times last season, as opposed to only a dozen in '04. And his Henderson batting cages are faring well, too, we hear.

2B: Marty Barrett

Boston Red Sox (ret.), 47,

Rancho High graduate

Marty, we need to yank you off the golf course. With Boston in 1986, you tied Bobby Richardson and Lou Brock for the most all-time hits, 13, in a World Series. You're clutch, man, and we need ya'!

SS: Sean Kazmar

San Diego Padres, 20, Community College of Southern Nevada

The Padres' fifth-round selection in 2004 starred in an All-Star Futures game. For our purposes, he's ready.

3B: Justin Leone

San Diego Padres, 29,

Bonanza High graduate

Through the end of last week, he played in 22 spring games and hit .317, with three home runs, in 41 at-bats.

LF: Reed Johnson

Toronto Blue Jays, 29,

Las Vegas resident

He has hit .277, with an average of 450 at-bats, over the past three seasons.

CF: Aaron Rowand

Philadelphia Phillies, 28,

Las Vegas resident

Earned a World Series championship ring with the White Sox last season and will be a Silver State rudder.

RF: Ryan Ludwick

Texas Rangers, 27,

UNLV graduate

We liked his .512 slugging percentage with the Cleveland Indians last season.

DH: Frank Thomas

Oakland Athletics, 37,

Las Vegas resident

"Big Hurt" could teach the squad a thing or two about hitting on soft 16 when the dealer has a 5; he loves the $100 blackjack tables at Bellagio.

Manager: Dick Williams

76, Las Vegas resident

Guided Oakland to World Series championships in 1972 and '73. We hear he has dozens of boxes of orange baseballs in his garage.

Pitching coach: Mike Maddux

44, raised and lives in Las Vegas

Greg's older brother is making quite an impression in this role with the Milwaukee Brewers.

Hitting coach: George Hendrick

56, Las Vegas 51s

He knows what he talks about, and he talks A LOT. He's pure entertainment in the clubhouse and dugout. Drops a certain f-word more frequently than Tommy Lasorda. So kids, beware.