Hall of Fame Resumes
Frank Beal ’07, great four-year Tiger 2nd baseman (’04,’05,’06,’07), twice voted All-Southern California at his position and captain of the championship ’06 team.
Duffy Seay ’13, captain of the 1913 Oxy championship team, and an outstanding 2nd baseman, was chosen All-Southern California in ’12 and ’13, while hitting .381 in 1912.
Wilkie Clark, one of Oxy’s greatest coaches (’12-’13 and ’24-’29), had five championship teams in eight years with three (’26, ’27 and ‘29) undefeated in league play. He holds the all time Oxy record for both league (.925) and overall (.809) winning percentage and has four teams on the Top Ten list.
Harry Kirkpatrick ’14, an outstanding shortstop, voted “Southern California Athlete of the Year for 1913” by the Helm’s Athletic Foundation. He led the 1913 team to a league championship and in 1914, as captain, hit .400 and was one of Oxy’s greatest all-around athletes and lettered in all four major sports.
Ross Alcock ’21, a great all-around player, who was 11-3 with game strikeouts of 20, 19, 18, 17, 15 and 14, averaging 13 per game. He played three other positions when not pitching, had a career batting average of .342, and never made an error.
Solly Mishkin ’27, a Phi Beta Kappa scholar and outstanding first baseman on the ’25, ’26, and ’27 championship teams. His career statistics are not available, but he hit .500 in ’26 and was talented enough to play in the Pacific Coast League.
“Bud” Teachout ’27, an ace left-handed pitcher and right fielder on three championship teams (’25, ’26, and ’27),who was undefeated in three years of league play (23-0) and had an overall 30-6 record, including a no-hitter and averaged 12 strikeouts per game. He later played several years of professional ball and had a record of 12-6, with the Chicago Cubs.
Mike Godett ’27, a terrific competitor at 3rd base and a clutch .350 career hitter, was a member of the great ’25-’26-’27 Oxy championship teams, the last two going 16-0 in league play.
Les Haserot ’27, an outstanding career .311 hitter and shortstop, with great range and arm, was the leader of three consecutive championship teams in ’25, ’26, and ’27, and captained both the ’24 and ’27 squads.
Bill Anderson, an outstanding multi-sport star at the University of Illinois, who coached Oxy baseball for 25 years (’30-’54). His teams won ten championships, with four of them (’32, ‘34, ’52, and ’54) undefeated in league play. His ’34 squad is the only team in Oxy history to lose no games during the entire season. His ’42 team, managed by Roy Dennis, won the SCIAC title while Bill was in the stands recuperating from a near fatal auto accident. His last four teams (’51, ’52, ’53, and ’54) were all champions, the only time in Oxy history that four consecutive titles were won. Five of his ten championship teams are among the Top Ten highest winning percentage teams in history and four are in the hall of fame. Anderson field, the home of the Tiger baseball team, is named in his honor.
Glenn Rozelle ’30, a fleet-footed center fielder and base-stealer, who could beat out infield hits and also slug for power. In ’29 he hit .350 for the 8-0 champs.
“Slug” Nathan ’30, an outstanding left-fielder and career .424 clean-up hitter, whose .450 average helped power the ’29 team to an undefeated 8-0 league championship. He hit .405 in 1930, Bill Anderson’s first year as coach.
Al DeHoog ’30, a dominant southpaw, who led the ’29 undefeated team to a league championship, while compiling a career 18-2 record and averaging 12 strikeouts per game in ’29-’30.
Bob Holmes ’33, an exceptional outfielder, who hit a league-leading .377 on the undefeated ’32 champs and was captain in’33 on the initial All-SCIAC squad.
Terry Bartron ’34, star 2nd baseman and lead-off man in ’33 and ’34, who hit .395 and made All-SCIAC on the undefeated ’34 championship team.
Hal McMillan ’35, captain of Oxy’s only undefeated team in history (league and seasonal), winning ten straight games in a depression-era season. He was selected as a two-time All-SCIAC pitcher.
John Rowland ’35, a great catcher and career .425 hitter. He led the league in ’35 with a .483 average and was All-SCIAC in both ’34 and ’35, while a member of two championship teams.
Hershel Lyons ’37, a talented all-around player, won 12 games as a pitcher, while striking out 12 batters per game. He also had a career batting average of .386 as a skilled shortstop and outfielder and gained All-League recognition when he captained the ’36 and ’37 teams.
Dean Ben Culley’s influence spanned 5 decades (’43-’82) in the strongest support for Occidental athletics, with special attention to the baseball program. His many close professional relationships established through coaching and officiating activities provided a network for recruiting outstanding student athletes to Occidental. The baseball team achievements were at their highest level during his tenure, winning 12 championships in the two decades he was most active (‘50’s and ‘60’s). Over half of the current Hall of Fame membership came to Oxy during his era as Dean.
Bill Bonhall ’44, a terrific shortstop, base-runner, fielder, career .392 hitter and team leader, who captained the ’42 championship team and was co-captain of the ’43 champions, while All-SCIAC both years.
Grant Dunlap ’46, the only Tiger in the Hall of Fame as both player and coach, as an outstanding shortstop in ’44, he led the league (including USC and UCLA) in hitting .464, while being chosen first string all conference. As a professional, he led the Texas league in hitting .333 during the ’52 season and then pinch-hit .357 for the ’53 St. Louis Cardinals. Upon Bill Anderson’s retirement, he returned to coach the Tigers for 30 years (’55-’84), with nine championship teams, three of which are in the Hall of Fame, that he founded in 1984 upon his retirement.
Lodi Galassi ’50, a career .315 hitter and four year starter at first base (’47-’48) and 2nd base (’49-’50), he had a great glove and was a co-captain for three years, while earning All-ACIAC honors in ’47, ’48, and ’49.
Doug Mackenzie ’50, an outstanding leader and shortstop, who co-captained the ’48, ’49, and ’50 teams and was All-SCIAC in ’49 and ’50, with a career batting average of .333.
Ed Harper ’51, excelled in both centerfield and at 3rd base, and was co-captain of the ’51 championship team, with All-SCIAC honors in ’49 and ’51. A career .308 hitter, he hit the first home run at the new Anderson Field in ’49.
Carl Manoogian ’51, an outstanding defensive first baseman and clean-up hitter, chosen All-SCIAC three years (’49, ’50, and ’51) and one of Oxy’s all-time career RBI producers. He co-captained the ’51 championship team and had a career .320 average.
Bob Ashford ’52, one of Oxy’s greatest all-around ball players, led the Tigers to two championships in ’51 and the undefeated (10-0) ’52 season, when he completed one of the most astounding seasons in Oxy history by winning all nine league starts and leading the conference by hitting a record setting .600.
Gordon Bonetto ’53, an outstanding Tiger 2nd baseman, with a career batting average of .342, helped Oxy to three consecutive championships in ’51, ’52, and ’53, hitting .430 and earning First Team All-SCIAC honors in ’52.
Matt Kurilich ’53, a versatile catcher-outfielder on the championship ’51 and ’52 teams, while being chosen All-SCIAC three years (’50, ’51, and ’52) and compiling a career .353 average. His exceptional speed and base stealing ability were a constant threat to opposing teams.
Frank Bennett ’54, a winning southpaw pitcher on three consecutive championship teams (’52, ’53, and ’54), two of which were undefeated in league play (’52 and ’54). As a senior, he went undefeated, hit .370, and threw a no-hitter. He was chosen All-SCIAC with 9 other team-mates, the most in league history. He also won the game against Whittier that gave Oxy its fourth straight championship team in ’54, the only time this has happened in 107 years of Oxy baseball. He was undefeated in his SCIAC career and 16-2 overall.
Murray Via ’54, brilliant Tiger centerfielder and the first player in Oxy history to be chosen first string All-SCIAC three consecutive years, while a member of three straight championship teams (’52, ’53, and ’54). All time Oxy career batting record .434 and single season record .500. A great defensive player and base runner, who once stole 8 bases in a conference game.
Jim Burt ’55, a career .336 clean-up hitter and solid defensive 3rd baseman on three championship teams (’52, ’53, and ’54), twice chosen All-SCIAC, and with his clutch hitting in ’54, led one of Oxy’s greatest teams to an undefeated league title, becoming the only four straight championship squads in Oxy history.
Dick Sovde ’56, power pitcher, All-SCIAC in ’55 and ’56, while a member of the two champions (’54 and ’56) for two different coaches. He played on the great undefeated ’54 team and insured the record by throwing a no-hitter against Whittier in the final game of the season. He had a career 18-6 record.
Dick Burns ’57, a solid defensive first baseman on the champion ’56 and ’57 teams and captain in ’57 when he batted .352 and made All-SCIAC in both ’56 and ’57.
Jim Dallas ’57, ace pitcher of the ’57 championship squad, who was First Team All-SCIAC, posting a 9-0 league record.
Ken Wolters ’57, three-time first string All-SCIAC and member of three championship teams (’53, ’54, and ’57) for two different coaches at two different positions, with a career .367 batting average.
Tom McGetchin ’59, stellar 2nd baseman, one of only two players in Oxy history to be named First Team All-SCIAC, while a member of three consecutive championship teams (’56, ’57, and ’58). He was a career .300 hitter.
Ken McKenna ’59, outstanding 3rd baseman and pitcher with career totals of 27 wins and a 1.31 era. He led the Tigers to their first NCAA playoff berth in ’58, as well as a SCIAC championship in ’57, while a three-time All-SCIAC player.
Wayne Sink ’59, great competitor, team leader, fine defensive catcher and a powerful .357 career hitter, who helped lead the ’58 team to a SCIAC title and NCAA playoffs, while first team All-SCIAC in ’57 and ’58.
Bob Proctor ’62, outstanding pitcher and three times All-SCIAC, striking out one batter per inning over his career, while posting a 2.45 era and helping Oxy to a league title in ’62.
Tom Bonetto, JR. ’62, a career .320 hitter, first baseman, captain, and league leading .400 hitter on the ’62 championship team, who was All Conference in ’61 and ’62, and chosen oxy’s Athlete of the Year in ’62.
Carl Riefler ’63, power hitter and great defensive catcher and twice named All-SCIAC (’60 and ’61). An exceptional clutch hitter, with a career .326 batting average.
Don Hagen ’64, superb pitcher with a career 20-1 record, whose winning percentage of .955 is the highest in Oxy history. As first team All American he pitched two no-hitters, one a perfect game against Redlands in ’63, and was All-SCIAC in both ’62 and ’63. He once struck out 17 Trojans in shutting out USC and Tom Seaver 3-0.
Bob Ruffner ’64, stalwart catcher and three year All-SCIAC member of three consecutive championship teams (’62, ’63, and ’64). He was part of one of Oxy’s greatest batteries, teaming with Don Hagen.
Steve Harper ’66, masterful three time All-SCIAC pitcher, with 24 career wins and a 1.65 era. In ‘64’s championship year, he won all 12 of Oxy’s league victories, posting a 0.86 era, while batting .327.
Mike Welch ’67, one of Oxy’s best defensive first baseman, hit for both power and average. A three time All-SCIAC selection, led the league in home runs, hits, and doubles in ’66 and was a career .320 hitter.
“Chip” Garcia ’68, one of the most gifted athletes in Oxy history who excelled at three positions (outfield, pitcher, and 3rd base). Chosen three year All-SCIAC and two year All-American, he led the ’67 team to a 32-6 season and league championship, finishing 2nd in the nation. Twice led the league in hitting and had a career .347 average.
John Kinard ’69, three time All-SCIAC pitcher, with career totals of 19 wins, a 1.30 era and 9 strikeouts per game. He was honored with All-Western region recognition in’68.
Chris Synodis ’69, a career .369 hitter and outstanding center fielder, made difficult plays look routine. Three times All-SCIAC and an All American in 1967, his talents helped win the ’67 and ’68 championships.
Greg Millikan ’70, All-SCIAC pitcher three years (’67, ’68, and ’69) and hurled a no-hitter in ’67, with a 0.93 era. A member of two championship teams, had career totals of 22 wins, 1.47 era, and 12 strikeouts per game, while being named All Western region in ’68.
Scott Larson ’71, an integral part of the ’68 championship team and a three time All-SCIAC pitcher (’68, ’70, and ’71), had career totals of 32 wins, 1.79 era, and 12 strikeouts per game. A four year starter, who captained the ’71 team.
Dan Guerrero ’71, a durable power-hitting catcher, with an amazing throwing arm, who played all 53 games of his two varsity years, with a career .327 batting average. He was twice All-SCIAC and he hit .449 in league games in ’69 when he was also named to the All Western region team.
George Benson ’74, respected team leader, three time All-SCIAC (’72, ’73, and ’74), with career totals of 19 wins and a 2.38 era.
Miguel Mejia ’75, marvelous offensive and defensive shortstop, and a four-year starter, was three times first team All-SCIAC (’73, ’74, and ’75). He twice batted over .400 in league play, and was a career .331 hitter.
Greg Ring ’76, four year varsity starter, three at third base and during ’76 in right field, as captain while three years All-SCIAC, with a career .350 batting average.
Brian Hill ’80, outstanding Tiger pitcher, who twice All-SCIAC (’79 and ’80) and All Western region in ’80, with an era of 1.41 in ’80.
Mark Ewing ’81, remarkable left handed first baseman and pitcher, in ’78 led the team in batting .358. All-SCIAC in ’79 and ’81 and All Western region in ’81, career totals included 19 wins, a 2.90 era, and a .300 batting average.
Greg Moseley ’82, three time all-conference, pitched the Tigers to a SCIAC title and NCAA playoff berth in 1982 when he posted a 12-2 record and was named SCIAC Player of the Year, All Western region, and All American. He had career totals of 24 wins and an era of 2.59.
Dan Esquerra ’84, a truly remarkable player at three positions (catcher, first base, and third base), chosen ’84 SCIAC Player of the Year and an All American, while four times All-SCIAC and a career .357 hitter.
Tim Klement ’87, excellent hitter and defensive catcher, twice chosen All-SCIAC and All Western region (’86 and ’87), while a four year starter and career .380 hitter.
Bruce Fuller ’88, Phi Beta Kappa and academic All American, with a career .315 batting average. A great defensive outfielder and base runner who holds the Oxy seasonal (35) and career (97) stolen base records. Twice team captain, with All-SCIAC and Western region honors in ’88.
Jon Billingsley ’88, a four year starting outfielder, and career .346 hitter, he was ’88 SCIAC Player of the Year, twice honored as All Western region and once as All American in ’88.
Tom E. Bonetto ’90, great fielding 2nd baseman, with a career year in ’89 as captain, leading the league in hitting .434, while named All-SCIAC, All Western region, and All American. A career .336 hitter.
Mike Kniseley ’90, versatile infielder-catcher, is among Oxy’s all time leaders in many offensive categories, with a career batting average of .320. Twice chosen All-SCIAC and in ’90 was honored All Western region and All American.
Mark Harris ’91, outstanding infielder and one of Oxy’s all time leaders in career hits, with a lifetime average of .361, chosen All-SCIAC three times (’89, ’90, and ’91) and twice All Western region (’90 and ’91).
** Special Note: Statistics researched by Ed Harper ‘51
