Sukuzi A Semifinalist for Johnny Bench Award May 21, 2004 – Fullerton, Calif.
Cal State Fullerton junior catcher Kurt Suzuki has been named one of 15
semifinalists for the Johnny Bench Award, presented annually at the Greater
Wichita Sports Banquet to the nation's top collegiate catcher, as voted
on by a panel of sportswriters, sportscasters, Division I coaches and
scouts.
Suzuki is fourth in the nation with a .439 average, has slugged 14 doubles
and 11 homers and has driven in 68 runs, the most RBI by a Titan this
decade. He also been walked 42 times – seven times intentionally
– and has an on-base percentage of .537.
The three finalists for the award will be announced on June 3 and a final
vote among the national selection committee will occur during the College
World Series. All three finalists will be invited to Wichita for the 7th
Annual Greater Wichita Sports Banquet on June 30.
The award will presented to the winner by Bench, a Hall of Fame catcher.
Incidentally, Suzuki lists Bench in his media guide bio as the person
he'd most like to meet.
The other semifinalists are:
Jeff Clement, USC
Brad Davis, Long Beach State
Tuffy Gosewisch, Arizona State
Aaron Hathaway, Washington
Chris Iannetta, North Carolina
Devin Ivany, South Florida
Jason Jaramillo, Oklahoma State
Matt Liuzza, Louisiana State
Donny Lucy, Stanford
Landon Powell, South Carolina
Erick San Pedro, Miami
Craig Tatum, Mississippi State
Taylor Teagarden, Texas
Kiel Thibault, Gonzaga
