Jake Sidwell Named to Johnny Bench Award Watch List
3/9/2017 2:53:00 PM | Baseball
Full Release
DAVIDSON, N.C. -- Davidson baseball backstop Jake Sidwell has been named to the 2017 Johnny Bench Award Watch List, as released by the organization Thursday afternoon.
The Johnny Bench Award is presented annually to the nation's top collegiate catcher. The watch list will be narrowed down to the semifinalists, whom will be announced May 15, 2014.
While Bench is remembered for his offense, he may have had the greatest impact behind the plate. He was the first receiver to use a protective helmet in the field, popularized catching one-handed and kept his throwing hand behind his back to protect it from foul tips. 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.
In his eight games this young season, Sidwell is hitting at a .268 clip with nine runs, a homer, and three RBI. He's caught two runners stealing on four attempts and ranks near the top of the nation in on-base percentage (.472) and walks (8). He carries a career clip of .300, and has played in over 100 contests, scoring 65 runs in his tenure with the 'Cats.
Sidwell carries the unique distinction of being the only Davidson player in school history to be taken in the MLB Draft out of high school, and is one of just two players in program history to serve as a two-year captain. He is the first Wildcat to ever be named to the Watch List.
"Jake does an absolutely outstanding job managing the pitching staff and managing games and pitch calling according to game plan," head coach Dick Cooke said. "He was one of the top catchers in the league last season, and while he plays a natural leadership position on the field, he goes above and beyond that as a backstop. He also carries those characteristics off the field, helping the team navigate through the trials of hte season combined with the rigorous schedules of prestigious Davidson College."
"He's the perfect representation of the program and what we desire from a student-athlete, and he completely embodies teh role of a member of the Davidson community."
