Posted on: Thursday, July 1, 2004

Suzuki named top college catcher

Advertiser Staff and News Services

Baldwin High alum Kurt Suzuki of national champion Cal State Fullerton received the Johnny Bench Award as the nation's top college catcher last night.

The award's namesake, Hall of Famer Johnny Bench, presented Suzuki with the award at the Greater Wichita Sports Banquet in Wichita, Kan.

Suzuki, who was named to six All-America teams this season, batted .413 with 16 home runs and 87 RBIs. He was drafted in the second round by Oakland.

"It's so satisfying to meet Johnny Bench and to be with the two players that were up for the award with me," Suzuki said. "It's definitely a great way to end a great season and something I'll remember for the rest of my life."

Suzuki, 20, of Wailuku, Maui, was one of three finalists for the award, which is voted on by a panel of sports media, Division I coaches and scouts.

A final vote among members of the selection committee occurred during the College World Series in Omaha, Neb., where Suzuki had the game-winning RBI single Sunday as the Titans upset top-ranked Texas, 3-2. Cal State Fullerton won the best-of-three championship series, 2-0.

The other finalists were South Carolina's Landon Powell and North Carolina's Chris Iannetta.

Suzuki's next stop will likely be Vancouver, British Columbia, home of Oakland's short-season Class A team.