Updated at 9:10 p.m., Sunday, April 1, 2007
Ex-UH pitching great Tatsuno in college Hall of Fame
Associated Press
Former University of Hawai'i star pitcher Derek Tatsuno, the NCAA's first 20-game winner, has been selected to the National Collegiate Hall of Fame.Tatsuno said he was informed recently that he was voted in by the 90-voter committee, which includes last year's 10 inaugural inductees.
"It is huge and the pinnacle of your career," he said today. "It's an honor."
He will be officially inducted during a three-day celebration July 2-4 in Lubbock, Texas, the home of the hall.
The left-hander was 40-6 with a 2.04 ERA during his three seasons at Hawai'i from 1977 to 1979. In his junior season, he set the NCAA records of 20 wins and 234 strikeouts.
He left after three seasons to play in Japan. After 2 1/2 seasons in Japan, where he injured his arm, Tatsuno played in the U.S. minor leagues from 1982 to 1987.
Tatsuno's No. 16 is one of two numbers retired by the University of Hawai'i. Former coach Les Murakami's No. 11 is the other.
Paul Molitor and Bob Gibson are among the 50 former players and coaches nominated for the National College Baseball Hall of Fame this year.
