Hunt For Mr. October: Top World Series Players Who Were College Hoopers
If it was easy, then everyone could do it. After playing college hoops for current Division I universities, MLB All-Stars Joe Adcock (LSU/.250 with no extra-base hits), Mickey Cochrane (Boston University/.245), Dick Groat (Duke/.204), Davey Johnson (Texas A&M/.192 and homerless), Kenny Lofton (Arizona/.250), Wally Moon (Texas A&M/.240 with only one extra-base hit), Graig Nettles (San Diego State/.225 and homerless), Jackie Robinson (UCLA/.234) and Dave Winfield (Minnesota/.136 and homerless) struggled at the plate in World Series competition significantly more than they did during the regular season.
On the other hand, which such versatile athletes thrived in the Fall Classic? The premier pitcher and player overall in this category probably is Bob Gibson (Creighton) while the most regal regular may come from among outfielders Earle Combs (Eastern Kentucky), Tony Gwynn (San Diego State) and Riggs Stephenson (Alabama). Following is an All-Mr. October Team featuring former varsity basketball players who attended schools that are or were major colleges before excelling in the World Series:
| Position | Ex-College Hoopster | DI School | World Series Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| LHP | Marius Russo | Long Island | Permitted only one earned run in winning both of his Fall Classic complete games with Yankees - 1941 (vs. Dodgers) and 1943 (Cardinals). |
| RHP | Bob Gibson | Creighton | Compiled 7-2 record and 1.89 ERA with 92 strikeouts in 81 innings with Cardinals in 1964 (Yankees), 1967 (Red Sox) and 1968 (Tigers). |
| Reliever | Ron Reed | Notre Dame | Allowed one run in 5 1/3 innings in five relief appearances with Phillies in 1980 (Royals) and 1983 (Orioles). |
| C | Tom Haller | Illinois | Hit .286 (4-for-14 including one homer off Hall of Fame P Whitey Ford) with Giants in 1962 (Yankees). |
| 1B | Hank Greenberg | NYU | Hit .318 (27-for-85) with 14 extra-base hits and 22 RBI with Tigers in 1934 (Cardinals), 1935 (Cubs), 1940 (Reds) and 1945 (Cubs). |
| 2B | Charles "Buddy" Myer | Mississippi State | Hit .286 (8-for-28) in eight games with Senators in 1925 (Pirates) and 1933 (Giants). |
| 3B | Billy Werber | Duke | Hit .326 (14-for-43) in games with Reds in 1939 (Yankees) and 1940 (Tigers). |
| SS | Alvin Dark | LSU/USL | Hit .323 (21-for-65) in 16 games for Braves (.167) and Giants (.415) in 1948 (Indians), 1951 (Yankees) and 1954 (Indians). |
| LF | Riggs Stephenson | Alabama | Hit .378 (14-for-37) in nine games with Cubs in 1929 (Athletics) and 1932 (Yankees). |
| CF | Earle Combs | Eastern Kentucky | Hit .350 (21-for-60) in 16 games with Yankees in 1926 (Cardinals), 1927 (Pirates), 1928 (Cardinals) and 1932 (Cubs). |
| RF | Tony Gwynn | San Diego State | Hit .371 (13-for-35) with Padres in 1984 (Tigers) and 1998 (Yankees). |
| Most Underrated | Charlie Keller | Maryland | OF hit .306 (22-of-72 with 10 extra-base hits) in 19 games with Yankees in 1939 (Reds), 1941 (Dodgers), 1942 (Cardinals) and 1943 (Cardinals). |
| Manager | Walter Alston | Miami (Ohio) | Seven N.L. pennants with Dodgers resulted in four World Series championships (1955-59-63-65). |