Ex-'Bow baseball player List dies

At 32, he succumbs to Hodgkin's Disease

By Al Chase
Star-Bulletin

Former University of Hawaii baseball player Paul List died early yesterday at Straub Clinic and Hospital.

List, 32, had battled Hodgkin's Disease since October of 1996.

He returned for this year's alumni game, but was admitted to the hospital two days before the game.

He played for UH in 1985 and 1986. In 114 games he hit .295 with 14 doubles, two triples, four homers and 43 runs batted in.

After his sophomore year, he transferred to Pepperdine. After a redshirt year, he signed with the California Angels.

"He had the strongest arm we've ever had here," UH coach Les Murakami said. "When he played for us, he had trouble hitting the breaking pitch and he had an immature body.

"When he came back later for an alumni game, his body had filled out, he could run and hit. He had become a real prospect.

"When he told me he had Hodgkin's Disease, I felt real bad for him. He had a great contract waiting in Taiwan."

List learned he had Hodgkin's Disease after a physical prior to leaving for Taiwan.

He always believed he would beat the disease and play ball again. Even while hospitalized here, family and friends were amazed at how positive List remained.

"He fought the thing to the end," said John Matias, List's roommate at UH and longtime friend.

"Paul is just a really nice guy to be around. Everyone liked him. He loved playing baseball and did it his whole life. He chased that dream, doing what he wanted to do."

Matias said List's brother, David, expressed thanks to Hawaii's people before returning to California yesterday.

"David was overwhelmed by their love and aloha," Matias said. "Even people who never played with Paul came to see him. A lot of people mailing in donations enclosed cards or notes. That meant a lot to the family."

"He was a very likable person and he respected people," said Mario Monico, a senior on the team when List was a freshman. "He had the strongest arm and that's what helped get him a chance in the pros."

Bill Blanchette didn't play with List at UH, but he remembers the first time he saw him during an alumni game.

"The alumni don't even take infield. All of a sudden this guy in right field throws a laser to third base," Blanchette said. "We're sitting there wondering who he is and do we have to play against him."

Blanchette came to know List in later years; during the off-season, when he threw batting practice to List and Pete Kuld.

"He was strong. The Angels tried to make him a pitcher. They say his fastball was 96 or 97 mph. I only know a handful of people who can do that," Blanchette said. "But he beaned the first batter he faced in the head and was afraid he would hurt someone after that. He was too nice to be a pitcher.

"Another thing I remember about him was that he always seemed to be in a good mood. That's what was so infectious about him."

Besides the Angels, List played in the Oakland Athletics, Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers and Colorado Rockies systems. He reached the Triple-A level twice.

List last played for Minot (N.D.) of the independent Prairie League in 1996, where he helped the Mallards win the league championship by hitting .342.

Services are in California on Monday.