Rhodes Athletic Hall of Fame
The memorable 1961 baseball season started with 14 consecutive victories and ended with a NCAA Collegiate National Championship. Southwestern defeated Ball State 5-3 on June 7, 1961, in Greencastle, IN, to claim the title and a place in the record books. Larry Thomas pitched a complete game, giving up two earned runs, raising his record to 5-1 on the season. The big hit in the game came in the sixth inning with the Lynx leading 3-1 in a tight-fought game. David Miles singled with a man on second and third, driving in both runs and giving the Lynx a 5-1 lead going into the seventh inning. The Lynx completed their season with a 19-5 record.
The 1961 roster, led by head coach Woody Johnson and assistant coach Grover Bowers, included: Tommy Johnson (CF), David Miles (1B), Buddy McAfee (SS), Billy Landers (2B), Robert Echols (3B), Lou Johnson (LF), Bob Moseley (P), Pat Burke (RF), Jerry Manley (C), Mark Hartzog (P), David White (OF, 3B), Larry Thomas (P), Ronnie Splann (P, OF), Charlie Killinger (OF), George McCormick (OF), Billy Guy (IF, OF), Cyril Hollingsorth (Util), Bill Holmes (Util), William Homes (C) and Bill Burge.
The 1961 team was a classic mix of experienced veterans and hungry youth. The Lynx were led by Billy Landers and Bob Moseley. An article written in The Commercial Appeal said they were regarded as the best position player and pitcher going into the tournament. Landers led the Lynx in hitting with a .476 average, which still stands as the highest single-season average by a Lynx player. He was also named the Most Valuable Player of the team. Moseley led the team with 10 victories and a 1.45 earned run average. Two Lynx players went on to play professional baseball. Landers signed a pro contract with the Houston Colt 45’s and Buddy McAfee with the St. Louis Cardinals.
The 1961 Lynx were known for their scrappy, result-driven attitude. This type of play was evident in the victory against Ball State to capture the championship. Woody Johnson believed in small ball and stressed the importance of never giving up. Charles Killinger was quoted as saying, “I never played for a coach who could manufacture runs like Woody Johnson.” As the season progressed, the Lynx had a reputation for winning in the dying moments. They won more than half of their games after late-inning rallies. Johnson described the winning Southwestern formula in an article in The Commercial Appeal as “the kind of enthusiasm that never lets the players relax.”
The 1961 baseball team could relax after that sunny, warm day in June as the players captured the NCAA Collegiate National Championship. For the national recognition they brought their alma mater, Rhodes is honored to induct the members of the 1961 baseball team to the Rhodes Athletic Hall of Fame this 20th day of October, 2006.
