Orel Hershiser (1985) - Hall of Fame - Bowling Green State University Athletics

Orel Hershiser

Induction:
1985
Class:
1980

Orel Hershiser, a native of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, saw his best outing as a Falcon come on May 4, 1979, when he threw a no-hitter at Kent State. Hershiser posted a record of 0-1 as a sophomore and compiled a 6-2 record as a junior.

He was drafted in the 17th round of the 1979 draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers. After a few seasons with the Dodgers farm system, Hershiser was called up on September 1, 1983, and pitched against Montreal that night. He earned the save the night the Dodgers clinched the 1983 National League West title. Orel "The Bulldog" Hershiser would make the 1984 Dodgers as a reliever, but was soon converted to a starting pitcher. He finished the season with a record of 11-8, and had the longest consecutive inning scoreless streak of any pitcher, 33.2 innings in 1984. In 1985, Hershiser went 19-3 with an ERA of 2.06. In 1988, following the Dodgers win in the World Series, Hershiser was named the World Series MVP, won the Cy Young Award, and a Golden Glove. He was also a three time all star during his time. Hershiser retired following the 2000 season, finishing his career with a 204-150 record, with a 3.48 ERA.

In 2020, when the BGSU Baseball program unexpectedly got cut, Orel Hershiser organized a group of alumni to help raise money to bring back the program and they succeeded.

Orel Hershiser was inducted into the BGSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1985.