U-M Celebrates Stellar 2008 Season in Grand Fashion
10/24/2008 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
The University of Michigan baseball program concluded its fall activities in grand fashion with a trio of events that honored the past, present and future of the program. During a two-week stretch -- Sept. 27-28 and Oct. 5 -- the U-M baseball team participated with alumni and friends in its annual alumni tailgate at Mortenson Plaza, hosted the seventh annual Baseball Golf Outing and held its annual Maize and Blue game at the Wilpon Baseball Complex.
Kicking off the two-week event schedule was the Alumni tailgate where the 2008 Wolverines were presented with their third straight Big Ten Championship rings, as well as several team awards. The rings, made of sterling silver and emblazoned with cut-out images of the three Big Ten championship trophies surrounded by diamonds, were handed out by head coach Rich Maloney to players and staff members who helped guide Michigan to a 46-14 record and 26-5 Big Ten mark. Highlighting the team awards was the official presentation of the Big Ten regular-season and tournament championship trophies, which were on display for all to see. Several individual awards were also handed out, including Big Ten Pitcher, Player and Coach of the Year trophies to Nate Recknagel, Zach Putnam and Rich Maloney, respectively. Recknagel hauled in two additional team-specific awards as he was named the 2008 Bill Freehan award honoree as the squad's top hitter and the Ray L. Fisher Most Valuable Player. Putnam and Chris Fetter were honored as co-recipients of the Geoff Zahn Most Valuable Pitcher award.
The following day on Sept. 28, over 100 golfers descended upon the U-M Golf Course to participate in the seventh annual Baseball Golf Outing. Coach Maloney talked with those in attendance about the success of last season and the vision for the future of Michigan baseball before a 9 a.m. shotgun start. The event helped raise money for the baseball general fund.
The annual Maize and Blue game on Oct. 5 concluded the festivities, giving Michigan fans a sneak peak at the 2009 squad. Those in attendance were treated to an offensive show as the Maize team downed the Blue squad, 11-7.
2008 Michigan Baseball Team Awards
Ray L. Fisher MVP: Nate Recknagel
Geoff Zahn Most Valuable Pitcher: Zach Putnam/Chris Fetter
Betty Simmons Most Improved Player: Chris Fetter
Steve Boros Scholar-Athlete Award: Leif Mahler
Ted Sizemore Best Defensive Player Award: Leif Mahler
Bill Freehan Top Hitter Award: Nate Recknagel
Wolverine Award (presented by Dugout Club): Tim Kalczynski
