Suzuki honored as
nation’s top catcher
Maui's Kurt Suzuki last night won the Johnny Bench Award as the nation's best college baseball catcher.
The award was presented by Hall of Fame catcher Johnny Bench at the annual Greater Wichita Sports Banquet in Wichita, Kan.
Suzuki was selected over two other finalists -- South Carolina's Landon Powell and North Carolina's Chris Ianetta.
"It's just an amazing feeling," said Suzuki, a 2001 Baldwin High graduate.
"It's like getting the national Player of the Year award.
"It's so satisfying to meet Johnny Bench and to be with the two players that were up for the award with me. It's definitely a great way to end a great season and something I'll remember for the rest of my life," Suzuki said in a release.
Suzuki has packed a lot of lifetime memories into the last few weeks.
On Sunday he drove in the winning run with a seventh-inning single as his Cal State-Fullerton team defeated Texas 3-2 to win the College World Series.
He has been named to five All-America teams selected by media or coaches.
On June 7 he was drafted in the second round, 68th overall, by the Oakland A's. He is expected to command a signing bonus in the neighborhood of $500,000, perhaps as early as next week.
Suzuki had a storybook season for Fullerton.
He batted .413 with 16 home runs and 87 RBIs and was named the Big West Player of the Year.
Suzuki put his defense on display at the College World Series, setting a CWS record for most chances handled in a career (89) without an error.
The Johnny Bench Award is selected by a panel of sportswriters, sportscasters, Division I coaches and major league scouts.