The Fordham baseball player, Brian Kownacki, is shown in a video leaping to keep away from the Iona catcher’s tag and has gone viral, which is really no surprise. Probably the most exciting things in baseball are close plays around home, and this is even more exciting as it came at a key moment in the Fordham-Iona game. Kownacki’s teammate Chris Walker had just rapped the go-ahead hit within the bottom of the eighth inning, very easily scoring one man. However, Kownacki was able to score one more run right behind, thanks to an acrobatic, mid-air somersault that has to be seen to be believed. Kownacki literally vaulted the Iona catcher and caught the plate with his hand. He ended up being totally upside down within the end! This play highlighted a nine-run rally that was quick and instant money for the Fordham Rams. They came back for a 12-9 win over the Iona College Gaels.
Is this Fordham baseball player this exciting every day?
Brian Kownacki, Fordham baseball player, is a huge part of Fordham’s defense. The shortstop teamed with second baseman Nick Martinez to turn the double play in 2009 when they were freshman. The duo’s dynamic keystone helped lead Fordham to the Atlantic 10 tournament in that season. However, 2010 has been somewhat less successful to date, which makes Fordham baseball player Brian Kownacki’s play at the plate all the a lot more exciting. It stands out during this year where the Fordham pitching staff has been rocked for a collective 5.83 run average (versus a 4.29 ERA for opposing pitchers). Kownacki’s offensive stats – .265 batting average, 10 doubles, three triples, 8 walks, 37 strikeouts and 20 RBI in 132 at-bats (through April 21) – indicate that defense is where he contributes most. To date in 2010 the Fordham Rams are 13-22.
Fordham history made by Brian Kownacki?
Yes would be a reasonable answer considering just how extraordinary the vault and score was. However, he’ll have to pick it up quite a bit if he’s going to rank with the two greatest players in St. John’s College/Fordham University history. Both are in the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame.
”Big Ed” Walsh was a pitcher for St. John’s College, which is Fordham’s original name, at the turn of the 20th century. All Walsh did was go on to become the greatest spitballer (and one of the greatest pitchers overall) in Major League history. He turned in a 195-126 record with an all-time low 1.82 ERA for the Chicago White Stockings and Boston Braves from 1904-1917.
After changing names from St. John’s College to Fordham University, the greatest player in their history was “The Fordham Flash,” Frankie Frisch. The second baseman was one of the most aggressive players ever to take on the field, and he used his bat, his legs, his glove and his mind to defeat opponents. Frisch hit .316 with 2,880 hits for the New York Giants and St. Louis Cardinals from 1919-1937. If he happened to ever be a spokesman for payday advances, he might are the most no guff spokesman the industry each and every saw.
Sources
Greatest players in St. John’s College/Fordham University history
http://www.baseball-almanac.com/college/fordham_university_baseball_players.shtml
