March 29, 2005
WICHITA, Kansas - Junior Drew Butera of UCF was named to the official Watch List for the 2005 Johnny Bench Award announced by the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission. Thirty-seven catchers from 16 conferences were nominated for the award by their coaches. Because the award is given annually to the top National Collegiate Catcher, the list will be updated to include other candidates until May 2, 2005.
The watch list will be narrowed down to 10 semifinalists, whom will be announced May 17, 2005. A comprehensive biography will be created on each of the semifinalists and sent to the national voting panel at the end of May for a vote to determine the three finalists. The finalists will be announced on June 1, 2005, prior to the NCAA Regionals and Major League Baseball Draft. A final vote among the national committee will occur during the College World Series. All finalists will be brought to Wichita and the winner will be announced at the 8th Annual Greater Wichita Sports Banquet on June 29, 2005.
Johnny Bench presented Cal State Fullerton catcher, Kurt Suzuki, with the award last June in Wichita, Kan. Chris Iannetta of the University of North Carolina and Landon Powell of the University of South Carolina were the other finalists for the award.
Bench's career honors include: National League Rookie of the Year (1968); National League Most Valuable Player (1970, 1972); World Series Most Valuable Player (1976); 14-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove winner. In 1980, he set an endurance record by catching 100+ games for 13 consecutive seasons. Bench was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in January 1989 with the fourth highest percentage of total votes cast.
Butera is regarded as one of the top defensive catchers in the nation with his strong arm and quick release. He ranks third in school history in lowest stolen base percentage against with a .598 mark (73-for-122). Butera is batting .306 with two home runs and 22 RBI - including a walk-off home run vs. Jacksonville March 26 to clinch a 5-4 victory in 11 innings for the Golden Knights. Butera has thrown out 50 % of would-be base stealers in 2005, going 14-for-28.
The junior from Lake Mary is also rated the No. 48 collegiate prospect for the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft, according to Baseball America.
The 18th-ranked Golden Knights return to action Friday at A-Sun rival Stetson. First pitch is set for 7 p.m.