July 14, 2009

Strasburg Wins Golden Spikes Award

San Diego State junior right-hander Stephen Strasburg won the 2009 USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award, which was presented at the Major League Baseball All-Star FanFest in St. Louis. The award goes to the nation’s top amateur baseball player.

Dustin Ackley of North Carolina, Mike Leake of Arizona State, Kent Matthes of Alabama and A.J. Morris of Kansas State were the other finalists for the award.

The National Player of the Year and the winner of the Dick Howser Trophy, Strasburg posted a record of 13-1 with a 1.32 ERA. He led the nation with 195 strikeouts. Strasburg was the No. 1 over pick in the 2009 MLB draft by the Washington Nationals.

Strasburg is the third pitcher to win the award in the past four years, as David Price of Vanderbilt won in 2007 and Tim Lincecum took it in 2006. Strasburg is the second Aztec to capture the award, as Travis Lee claimed the award in 1996.

Since 1978 USA Baseball has honored the top amateur baseball player in the country with the Golden Spikes Award. Following the first-ever presentation of the trophy to Bob Horner of Arizona State, it has been awarded each year to the player who exhibits exceptional athletic ability and exemplary sportsmanship.

The 2008 winner was Buster Posey of Florida State. Past winners of the award include current Major League Baseball players such as David Price ('07), Tim Lincecum ('06), Alex Gordon ('05), Jered Weaver ('04), Rickie Weeks ('03), Khalil Greene ('02), Jason Jennings ('00), Pat Burrell ('98), J.D. Drew ('97), Mark Kotsay ('95), and Jason Varitek ('94). Former Major League stars that have captured the award include Robin Ventura ('88), Jim Abbott ('87), Will Clark ('85), Dave Magadan ('83), Terry Francona ('80), Tim Wallach ('79), and Bob Horner ('78).

(photo courtesy of SDSU Media Relations Office)