Larkin, Rickey Elected Into College Baseball Hall of Fame
3/24/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
LUBBOCK, Texas -- The College Baseball Foundation announced today (Tuesday, March 24) the names of the 10 players and coaches comprising the 2009 National College Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Class, which includes a pair of former Wolverines in shortstop Barry Larkin (1983-85) and coach Branch Rickey (1910-13).
The U-M duo will join Joe Carter (outfielder, Wichita State), Darren Dreifort (pitcher/DH, Wichita State), Kirk Dressendorfer (pitcher, Texas), Keith Moreland (catcher/utility, Texas), Rafael Palmeiro (outfielder, Mississippi State), Ron Polk (coach, Georgia Southern, Mississippi State, Georgia), and Todd Walker (second baseman, Louisiana State) in the fourth class ever inducted.
Larkin and Rickey become the second and third former Wolverines to earn induction, joining pitcher Jim Abbott (1986-88), who was part of the second-ever class enshrined.
"We could not be more proud of the accomplishments of both Barry Larkin and Branch Rickey," stated U-M head coach Rich Maloney. "Having both men earn this honor speaks volumes to the tradition of the Michigan baseball program. Both have been great ambassadors of the game with Mr. Rickey transforming baseball through his signing of Jackie Robinson, and Barry with his stellar play here at Michigan and during his tremendous major league career. We are extremely excited and proud of both their accomplishments."
Larkin was a two-time All-America first team shortstop (ABCA '84; ABCA, Sporting News, Baseball America '85) and the first two-time Big Ten Player of the Year when he accomplished both feats in the 1984 and 1985 seasons. As a freshman in 1983, he was named the Big Ten Tournament MVP and led the Wolverines to the first of back-to-back College World Series appearances and consecutive NCAA Regional championships.
Larkin came up big in U-M's 1983 opening-round win over Maine with a pair of doubles that propelled the Wolverines to a 6-5 victory. The Wolverines finished third that season at the CWS and posted a 50-9 overall record. In 1984, Larkin helped Michigan to a 43-20 record and seventh-place CWS finish.
Larkin was named the team MVP in 1985 after slugging .718 and became the highest draft pick ever at Michigan when he was selected fourth overall by the Cincinnati Reds. A career .361 hitter at U-M, Larkin went on to a 19-year Major League Baseball career with the Reds, winning the NL MVP in 1995 and a World Series championship in 1990. Larkin was also honored with three Gold Glove awards and appeared in 12 All-Star games.
Rickey, who coached the Wolverines from 1910-1913 while attending the Michigan Law School and compiled a 68-32-4 record, is the Hall of Fame Vintage-Era inductee. The Vintage-Era designation is for those who played or coached prior to 1947.
Rickey's college experience influenced his role in promoting Jackie Robinson to break the color barrier years later as general manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers. Rickey is also known for the development of the farm system and the introduction of the batting helmet. Rickey's professional career saw him lead the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1920s and 1930s, the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1940s and the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1950s. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1967 as a Pioneer and Executive.
The 2009 inductees will be honored on July 3, 2009, as part of the College Baseball Foundation's annual celebration of both the past and present of college baseball from July 2 through July 4 in Lubbock, Texas.
For more information about the 2009 National College Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Class or the Hall of Fame events, contact Dr. Mike Gustafson at gus@collegebaseballfoundation.org or Jeff Chase at jeff@collegebaseballfoundation.org.
Contact: Matt Fancett (734) 763-4423
