Three successes to report: Bruce Benedict, Davey Johnson, & Jack Lazorko
Bruce Benedict played 12 seasons in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Atlanta Braves from 1978 to 1989. Drafted by the Braves in the 5th round of the 1976 Major League Baseball Draft, he made his major league debut on August 18, 1978, his 23rd birthday. In 1982, Benedict led National League catchers with a .993 fielding percentage, as the Braves won the National League Western Division title. The highlight of his season came during the regular season when he set an MLB record by throwing out 3 baserunners in one inning.
Davey Johnson played from 1965 through 1978, most notably as a member of the Baltimore Orioles dynasty that won four AL pennants and two World Series championships. A three-time Gold Glove winner, he was selected to four All-Star teams. After retiring, he managed the New York Mets to the 1986 World Series title, and to the NL East title in 1988. He won the AL's Manager of the Year in 1997 and the NL award in 2012 when he led the Nationals to their first division title since moving to DC. He managed 3 teams to their League Championship Series in consecutive years, 1995-1997.
Jack Lazorko was selected by the Houston Astros in the 11th round of the 1978 MLB Draft. He played 20 seasons in national and international baseball, including the 1991 Scudetto in Parma, Italy, two years in Milan, Italy, and in the Florida Senior League until 1995. During his five year major league career, Lazorko posted a 5-8 record with a 4.22 ERA and 108 strikeouts. Former Mets pitcher Ron Darling called Lazorko the best fielding pitcher he had ever seen.
*Mailing addresses and relevant signing fees are posted on www.sportscollectors.net
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