Lehigh University Athletics
McBride on prestigious Johnny Bench watch list
3/16/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
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McBride has been nothing short of terrific through his first two seasons, earning All-Patriot League honors each year and posting a career batting average well over .300. Over the summer, McBride participated in the Alaskan Summer Professional League as a member of the Mat-Su Miners.
Already in 2006, McBride is hitting .577 with four home runs and 20 runs driven in through the team’s first 14 games. McBride’s 30 base hits and six doubles are currently tops in the Patriot League.
“It is a great accomplishment for Matt to be nominated for such a prestigious award,” said Lehigh head coach Sean Leary. “Matt has earned this distinction through his outstanding play over his first two seasons with our program. It is also great for our program that Lehigh players are continuing to be recognized on a national level. I feel strongly that Matt can be a finalist for this award.”
The Johnny Bench Award is named in honor of Bench, who is a member of the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame following a stellar career. Bench’s career honors include: National League Rookie of the Year (1968); National League Most Valuable Player (1970, 1972); World Series Most Valuable Player (1976); 14-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove winner. In 1980, he set an endurance record by catching 100+ games for 13 consecutive seasons. Bench was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in January 1989 with the fourth highest percentage of total votes cast.
While Bench is remembered for his offense, he may have had the greatest impact behind the plate. He was the first receiver to use a protective helmet in the field, popularized catching one-handed and kept his throwing hand behind his back to protect it from foul tips.
This year’s list will be narrowed down to ten semifinalists on May 11. The award will be handed out in
