| School: Madison | Graduation Year: 1974 |
Sports Played: Football, Baseball
Year Inducted: 2023
High School Honors: 2 Football letters as a Junior and Senior.
2 Baseball letters as a Junior and Senior, 1st team All-PIL in Baseball as a Senior and 2nd Team All-State. Played in State Metro Baseball All-Star Game and Tournament.
Post High School Career: Oregon State University Baseball, 1975-1979; All-Pac 8 Northern Division and Golden Glove Award, 1978. Served as a Vancouver, WA, firefighter from 1979 to 2010, retired at the rank of Battalion Chief.
Commentary:
Growing up all my coaches had the same first name – “MR”
Mr Holcomb – My little league coach never canceled a practice because of the rain. The team would meet in a dry spot and just talk baseball.
Parents -They put up with my fidgeting – all balls must be thrown. They even let me off easy when they came home and saw all the marks left on the front of the house. The marks were caused by a dirty wet tennis ball. We didn’t own a pressure washer. They supported me throughout my career.
Siblings – I was the youngest of 7 competitive kids
Brooks Robinson #5 – His defensive plays in the World Series inspired me. I wanted to be just like him. The #5 has been with me whole life, it even earned a spot on my arm. I would think of him after making a good play. I was given the nickname ‘The Vacuum’ in college – something we also share.
Mr Wittala (Bill) – He was my high school coach during my junior year and I greatly respected him from day one. He benched me a game for forgetting to go to a class in the middle of the day. My replacement went 4 for 4. I also sat out the next game as he told me anyone who hits like that deserves a second chance. He looked straight in my eyes and asked – wouldn’t you agree?? This taught that nothing is a given for free in life and your character matters. He was the first person to tell me that I could play at the next level.