The Heisman Trophy, awarded to the nations' No. 1 college football player, has been affiliated with pro baseball since the 1950s. Five former Heisman winners are members of the exclusive Heisman-winning baseball players fraternity.
Vic Janowicz, the star running back of Ohio State, became the first Heisman winner to become a major league ballplayer. He was awarded the football honor in 1950. The Pittsburgh Pirates signed him as a catcher for 1953-54. Vic was a defensive back for for the Washington Redskins in 1954-55 before a near-fatal car accident ended his career.
Another super Ohio State back, Howard "Hopalong" Cassady won the Heisman in 1955. Woody Hayes, his coach, called him the "greatest player of the century." While attending an ROTC program at Lockborne Air Force base in Columbus, he met George Steinbrenner and they became instant friends.
Cassady played eight seasons with the Detroit Lions. In 1976, when Steinbrenner purchased the New York Yankees, he wanted his players in shape when they reported for spring training. So, he brought in Hopalong to do the job. He set up a physical-fitness program in conjunction with the team's training staff, and he has been doing it for the past 28 years.
In an article in the "At The Yard" magazine on Cassady, Joe Henderson, veteran baseball writer for the Tampa Tribune, said, "Hopalong never expected to spend more time in baseball than he did in football." He returned to Ohio State when his No. 40 jersey was retired in 2000. At 70, Cassady expects to retire from baseball next year but cutting back to part-time is more like it.
Bo Jackson, the ace runner for Auburn University, was the Heisman winner in 1985. The following year he became the fourth-round draft pick of the Kansas City Royals. Bo later signed with the Chicago White Sox and played four seasons.
His final stint in the majors was with the Angels in 1994.
Tampa Bay made Bo its No. 1 draft selection in 1986. He stayed out for a year to pursue baseball. He was then drafted by the Raiders in 1987 and played four years before a hip injury finished both careers.
Ricky Williams, a standout back at the University of Texas, won the Heisman in 1998. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1995. He played four seasons in the low minors, including a season with Batavia of the New York-Penn League.
In 1999, the New Orleans Saints traded all their draft picks plus two future selections to acquire Williams with the fifth pick. In March, 2002, they traded him to the Miami Dolphins, where he an outstanding performer for two seasons. Unexpectedly, he surprised football by retiring just prior to the last season.
Chris Weinke, Florida State QB, became the 66th Heisman champ and oldest at 28 in 2000. Weinke spent four seasons with the Blue Jays and reached Triple A with Syracuse. He left baseball after the summer of 1996.
Chris was drafted by the Panthers in 2001. He replaced Rodney Peete and threw 11 TDs his first season. However, he has seen limited service as a backup QB since.
Another super Ohio State back, Howard "Hopalong" Cassady won the Heisman in 1955. Woody Hayes, his coach, called him the "greatest player of the century." While attending an ROTC program at Lockborne Air Force base in Columbus, he met George Steinbrenner and they became instant friends.
Cassady played eight seasons with the Detroit Lions. In 1976, when Steinbrenner purchased the New York Yankees, he wanted his players in shape when they reported for spring training. So, he brought in Hopalong to do the job. He set up a physical-fitness program in conjunction with the team's training staff, and he has been doing it for the past 28 years.
In an article in the "At The Yard" magazine on Cassady, Joe Henderson, veteran baseball writer for the Tampa Tribune, said, "Hopalong never expected to spend more time in baseball than he did in football." He returned to Ohio State when his No. 40 jersey was retired in 2000. At 70, Cassady expects to retire from baseball next year but cutting back to part-time is more like it.
Bo Jackson, the ace runner for Auburn University, was the Heisman winner in 1985. The following year he became the fourth-round draft pick of the Kansas City Royals. Bo later signed with the Chicago White Sox and played four seasons.
His final stint in the majors was with the Angels in 1994.
Tampa Bay made Bo its No. 1 draft selection in 1986. He stayed out for a year to pursue baseball. He was then drafted by the Raiders in 1987 and played four years before a hip injury finished both careers.
Ricky Williams, a standout back at the University of Texas, won the Heisman in 1998. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1995. He played four seasons in the low minors, including a season with Batavia of the New York-Penn League.
In 1999, the New Orleans Saints traded all their draft picks plus two future selections to acquire Williams with the fifth pick. In March, 2002, they traded him to the Miami Dolphins, where he an outstanding performer for two seasons. Unexpectedly, he surprised football by retiring just prior to the last season.
Chris Weinke, Florida State QB, became the 66th Heisman champ and oldest at 28 in 2000. Weinke spent four seasons with the Blue Jays and reached Triple A with Syracuse. He left baseball after the summer of 1996.
Chris was drafted by the Panthers in 2001. He replaced Rodney Peete and threw 11 TDs his first season. However, he has seen limited service as a backup QB since.
Citizen
Hot Jobs
New! Off the Menu
The Citizens' Say
Post your comment - click hereThere are No comments posted.