| School: Madison | Graduation Year: 1981 |
Year Inducted: 2015
Sports Played: Football, Baseball
High School Honors: 3-year Football Letterman, 1st team All-PIL, junior and senior. 2-year Baseball Letterman, 1st team All-PIL and All-State, junior and senior. PIL champions junior and senior; State champions, senior. Winning pitcher in State championship game as senior. Set strikeout record as pitcher in 1981 State/Metro All-Star.
Post High School Career: Drafted by 4 major league teams from 1981-83, but attended Linn Benton CC — all-league pitcher in 1982; Taft Junior College in 1983, pitcher. Arm injury ended baseball career. Died in December, 2001.
Commentary:
Rich was not just driven to be victorious, he was driven so his team would be victorious. He loved his teammates and could not wait to approach the mound as he they took the field. He loved every aspect of baseball, putting on the uniform, having fun in the dugout and taking on the next opposing batter. (Provided by family.)