Rod Boxberger
Encyclopedia
Rodney Warren Boxberger is a former starting pitcher
who is most notable for winning the 1978 College World Series
Most Outstanding Player
award while a junior at the University of Southern California
(USC). Other USC players that have won the award are Bill Thom
, Bud Hollowell
, Russ McQueen
, George Milke
, Bill Seinsoth
, and Wes Rachels
.
teams. In the 1975 amateur draft
, he was taken in the second round by the New York Mets
. In 1978
, he was taken in the first round, 11th overall, by the Houston Astros
. He played six years professionally, never reaching the big leagues.
His first professional season was 1978. He split the season between the Daytona Beach Astros
and Columbus Astros. He went 1–2 with a 1.20 ERA
in three games with Daytona Beach and 5–5 with a 4.18 ERA in 11 games with Columbus. In 1979, Boxberger played with the Columbus Astros again, going 6–7 with a 4.80 ERA in 21 games. For the third year in a row, Boxberger played with Columbus again in 1980, and for the third year in a row his stats dropped. He went 4–13 with a 5.62 ERA in 23 games in 1980.
He wound up in the New York Yankees
organization in 1981, playing for the Double-A Nashville Sounds
. He went 4–9 with a 4.54 ERA in 23 games that year. Boxberger played the final two years of his professional career in the California Angels organization. In 1982, he played for the Holyoke Millers
, going 5–9 with a 3.78 ERA. He played for the Nashua Angels
in 1983, going 5–10 with a 5.43 ERA.
Overall, Boxberger has a career record of 30–55 with a 4.67 ERA in 134 minor league
games. He had poor control, walking
504 batters and striking out
only 389 in 702 inning
s.
His son, Brad Boxberger, was drafted by the Kansas City Royals
of the 20th round of the 2006 amateur draft
, but did not sign. He again was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds
in the 1st round (43rd overall) in the 2009 draft after a three-year career at USC.
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
who is most notable for winning the 1978 College World Series
1978 College World Series
The 1978 College World Series was played at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, NE from June 2 to June 8. The thirty-second tournament's champion was the University of Southern California, coached by Rod Dedeaux...
Most Outstanding Player
College World Series Most Outstanding Player
The College World Series Most Outstanding Player is an award for the best individual performance during the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska. The recipient of the award is announced at the completion of the College World Series Championship Game...
award while a junior at the University of Southern California
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
(USC). Other USC players that have won the award are Bill Thom
Bill Thom
William Charles Thom was a pitcher who is most notable for winning the 1958 College World Series Most Outstanding Player award while a junior at University of Southern California. He is one of seven players from University of Southern Califnoria to win that award...
, Bud Hollowell
Bud Hollowell
Buddy Ryan Hollowell was a baseball catcher who is notable for multiple reasons. He won the 1963 College World Series Most Outstanding Player award while a junior at University of Southern California after hitting .350 in the Series, he participated in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, he was a minor...
, Russ McQueen
Russ McQueen
Russell L. McQueen was a pitcher who is most notable for winning the 1972 College World Series Most Outstanding Player award while a sophomore at University of Southern California. He is one of seven players from University of Southern California to win that award. The others are Bill Thom, Bud...
, George Milke
George Milke
George E. Milke was a pitcher who is most notable for winning the 1974 College World Series Most Outstanding Player award while a sophomore at University of Southern California. He is one of seven players from University of Southern California to win that award...
, Bill Seinsoth
Bill Seinsoth
William R. Seinsoth was a first baseman who is most notable for winning the 1968 College World Series Most Outstanding Player award while a junior at University of Southern California. He is one of seven players from University of Southern California to win that award...
, and Wes Rachels
Wes Rachels
Wesley Adam Rachels was a second baseman who is most notable for winning the 1998 College World Series Most Outstanding Player award while a senior at University of Southern California. He is one of seven players from University of Southern California to win that award...
.
Professional career
Boxberger was drafted twice by two different major leagueMajor League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
teams. In the 1975 amateur draft
1975 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1975 Major League Baseball draft..Many baseball draft experts consider the 1975 draft to be the weakest in MLB history.- External links :*- References :...
, he was taken in the second round by the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
. In 1978
1978 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1978 Major League Baseball draft.- Background :In 1978, four players made the jump from amateur baseball to the major leagues, including Arizona State third baseman Bob Horner, who was selected number one overall by the Atlanta...
, he was taken in the first round, 11th overall, by the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
. He played six years professionally, never reaching the big leagues.
His first professional season was 1978. He split the season between the Daytona Beach Astros
Daytona Beach Astros
The Daytona Beach Astros were a minor league baseball team that existed from 1978 to 1984. They played in the Florida State League and were affiliated with the Houston Astros. Located in Daytona Beach, Florida, they were known as the Daytona Beach Islanders prior to being the Daytona Beach Astros...
and Columbus Astros. He went 1–2 with a 1.20 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
in three games with Daytona Beach and 5–5 with a 4.18 ERA in 11 games with Columbus. In 1979, Boxberger played with the Columbus Astros again, going 6–7 with a 4.80 ERA in 21 games. For the third year in a row, Boxberger played with Columbus again in 1980, and for the third year in a row his stats dropped. He went 4–13 with a 5.62 ERA in 23 games in 1980.
He wound up in the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
organization in 1981, playing for the Double-A Nashville Sounds
Nashville Sounds
The Nashville Sounds are a minor league baseball team of the Pacific Coast League , and the Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. They are located in Nashville, Tennessee, and are named for the city's association with the music industry...
. He went 4–9 with a 4.54 ERA in 23 games that year. Boxberger played the final two years of his professional career in the California Angels organization. In 1982, he played for the Holyoke Millers
Holyoke Millers
The Holyoke Millers were a minor league baseball team located in Holyoke, Massachusetts. The team played in the Eastern League. Their home stadium was Mackenzie Stadium. The Millers played from 1977 to 1982 and was a farm team of the Milwaukee Brewers the first four years and the California...
, going 5–9 with a 3.78 ERA. He played for the Nashua Angels
Nashua Angels
The Nashua Angels were a minor league baseball team that lasted only one season, 1983. Located in Nashua, New Hampshire, they were affiliated with the California Angels and played in the Eastern League. Their home ballpark was Holman Stadium....
in 1983, going 5–10 with a 5.43 ERA.
Overall, Boxberger has a career record of 30–55 with a 4.67 ERA in 134 minor league
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
games. He had poor control, walking
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
504 batters and striking out
Strike Out
Strike Out, , North American Harness racing championStrike Out was born in 1969 at Castleton Farm in Lexington, Kentucky, and is by Bret Hanover out of the mare Golden Miss....
only 389 in 702 inning
Inning
Inning is a municipality in the district of Erding in Bavaria in Germany....
s.
Personal
Graduated from Foothill High School in Santa Ana, Calif.His son, Brad Boxberger, was drafted by the Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
of the 20th round of the 2006 amateur draft
2006 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2006 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 6 and 7. It was conducted via conference call with representatives from each of the league's 30 teams.-First Round Selections:...
, but did not sign. He again was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
in the 1st round (43rd overall) in the 2009 draft after a three-year career at USC.