VANCOUVER (AP) - After a tense meeting with GM Cory Muzyka, Vancouver Mounties manager Ryne Sandberg finally got his way today. The Idaho Lakers bid farewell to their prize possessions - second baseman Jim Tipper and third baseman Dick Simpson.

"I've been lobbying all season to Cory to get these guys called up - I think they are ready for the big show right now and another year of low minors baseball isn't going to help their development", said Sandberg. "Our pitching staff is looking good so far this season, and we really needed to get our offense going. This will certainly help in that."

Tipper, acquired at last year's draft from the Belfast Bombers, was very excited when we caught up with him getting off the plane at Vancouver International Airport.

"I'm pumped - both Dick and I have been waiting ages for our chance to get to the big show and now we're getting a shot. We all follow the big club pretty closely and we all thought that with a few timely hits our record could be a lot better than it is."

GM Cory Muzyka was full of praise for both players.

"Jim and Dick are arguably the best prospects in the minor leagues right now, and to be able to supplement a struggling offense with their bats is really going to help our club is a good thing. I admit that I was very hesitant to call them up, but after talking to Ryne at length he convinced me that we should get them up here now to help out. With the pitching staff doing as well as it's doing this year, I felt that we needed to get some help. Where better to get that help than from within your organization."

The Mounties also brought up young slugger Robb Reuschel from AAA Tacoma.

"Robb has been hammering the ball at Tacoma, and earned a spot with his great hitting this season. He's going to be a big part of this organization in the future, and the future for him starts right now."

All three are expected to be in the lineup when the Mounties face the Havana Cigars in Cuba, and will make their home debut against the Jamaica Rastafarians.