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Jonathan Douillard Named to Johnny Bench Award Watch List 3/15/2004
Jonathan Douillard Named to Johnny Bench Award Watch List WICHITA, Kan. — Vanderbilt senior catcher Jonathan Douillard has been named to the Johnny Bench Award Watch List released today by the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission. This year’s watch list is compiled from information based on the 2003 season, 2004 pre-season honors and nominations from coaches. Because the award is given annually to the top National Collegiate Catcher, the list will be updated to include other candidates until May 3, 2004. Douillard (6-0, 190, Acworth, Ga.) started 40 of 41 games last season making only two errors on 292 chances ranking second in the SEC. This season, he has played in 13 games, while starting in 12. Douillard totals 104 putouts with seven assists with no errors in helping lead the Commodores to a 13-2 record. He owns a .261 batting average collecting 12 hits, including five doubles. The watch list will be narrowed down to ten semi-finalists, whom will be announced May 20, 2004. A comprehensive biography will be created on each of the semi-finalists and sent to the national voting panel at the end of May for a vote to determine the three finalists. The finalists will be announced June 3, 2004 prior to the NCAA Regionals and Major League Baseball Draft. A final vote among the national committee will occur during the College World Series. All finalists will be brought to Wichita and the winner will be announced at the 7 th Annual Greater Wichita Sports Banquet on June 30, 2004. Johnny Bench presented Stanford University catcher, Ryan Garko, with the award last June in Wichita, Kansas. Colt Morton of North Carolina State University and Tony Richie of Florida State University were the other finalists for this prestigious award. “We are extremely appreciative of the Coleman Company being the title sponsor of this prestigious event, ” stated Bob Hanson, President/CEO of the Sports Commission. “They are the ones who make all of this possible.” “We are grateful that Johnny Bench is the namesake for our award because he is, without a doubt, the greatest catcher to ever play the game,” Hanson said. “We are very excited to have someone of his caliber support our efforts in honoring the accomplishments of these college players. 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.” 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. Previous winners are: 2003 Ryan Garko Stanford University; 2002 Jeremy Brown University of Alabama; 2001 Kelly Shoppach Baylor University; 2000 Brad Cresse Louisiana State University. |
