Former Wolverine Sabo Headed to Reds Hall of Fame
10/22/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Oct. 22, 2009
CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Former University of Michigan baseball All-American third baseman Chris Sabo (1981-83) is one of three players to be inducted into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame. Sabo was selected by the fans through the Modern Player Ballot sponsored by Cincyfavorites.com and will be honored next summer during on-field ceremonies at Great American Ball Park and at the Hall's star-studded Induction Gala, bringing the Hall's membership ranks to 72 players, three managers and three executives.
Sabo joins fellow former Wolverine and Red Barry Larkin (1983-85), who was inducted into the Reds' Hall of Fame in 2008.
"I've been retired a long time," Sabo said during a press conference at the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum. "Being elected to this means I'm officially old, I guess. It's exciting. I loved playing ball."
Sabo, who spent seven of his nine years in Major League Baseball with the Reds, was the top vote-getter from more than 19,000 ballots cast by Reds fans. Paul O'Neill finished second and John Franco was third.
"Obviously it's a great honor," Sabo said. "This is probably it for me being in the Reds Hall of Fame as far as my baseball career. I got voted by the fans. My career wasn't that great, trust me. Fans always liked me. I could always look in the mirror and say I gave it the best I could. I always tried hard. I played on some great teams with great teammates. We had fun."
One of the most accomplished third basemen in club history, Sabo and his trademark goggles burst on the Cincinnati baseball scene in 1988. An All-Star in his first season, Sabo led the Reds in doubles and stolen bases en route to becoming one of only seven players in Reds history to win the Rookie of the Year Award. Sabo anchored third base for the Reds for the next five seasons, including All-Star campaigns in 1990 and 1991.
During the Reds' 1990 World Series championship season, he led the club in home runs, doubles and runs scored. In the National League Championship Series against Pittsburgh, his two-run home run in Game 4 proved to be the gamewinner. In the World Series, his .563 batting average was the second-highest on the club and included a two-home run, three-RBI performance in the Reds' 8-3 victory in Game 3.
A fine defensive player, Sabo twice led NL third basemen in fielding percentage and finished second in the league once. For his career, he ranks in the club's top 25 in home runs and doubles and in the club's top 50 in games played, at bats, hits, runs batted in, runs scored, stolen bases, walks, slugging percentage and total bases.
Sabo was taken in the second round of the 1983 draft after a stellar three-year career with the Wolverines. Sabo was a two-time All-Big Ten selection and 1983 All-American after hitting .368 with 56 RBI. He helped lead Michigan to the 1983 Big Ten title as well as a NCAA Regional championship and third-place finish in the 1983 College World Series. Sabo collected three hits in U-M's 6-5 CWS opening-round win over Maine, including a three-run homer.
Sabo still ranks in U-M's single-season record book in home runs (T-5th, 16), and total bases (T-4th, 150). Sabo's 30 career home runs rank eighth, while his .568 slugging percentage places him 10th all time for the Wolverines.
Contact: Matt Fancett (734) 763-4423
