After spending time with the triple A club in Buffalo, N.Y., Yewcic played the 1957 season in the majors with the Detroit Tigers. He was sent to the Tigers' single A affiliate in Augusta, Ga., where he hit. Yewcic chose to pursue baseball after college and was signed by the Detroit Tigers in 1954. Tom Yewcic was selected as the 1954 College World Series MVP. "I thought about it and I just wanted to come back. "It was hard to turn down, that was a lot of money back then," Yewcic said. After much deliberation, Yewcic chose to return to Michigan State and finish his collegiate career. In 1954, he was offered a $50,000 contract to play professional baseball. None of his would have been possible if Yewcic had decided that money was the most important thing. He was also a first-team All-American that season. To this day, Yewcic remains the only Spartan ever to win that honor. He won the most valuable player award in the College World Series that year. He came here to play catcher for Coach John Kobs' baseball team in addition to football.īehind the plate, Yewcic led Michigan State to a Big Ten Championship in 1953 and a third place finish at Nationals. The youngest of seven athletic brothers, Yewcic came to Michigan State from Conemaugh, Pa., in 1951. He went on to set then single-season records for passing (941) and punting (1788) yards. Under Yewcic's direction, Michigan State also earned a share of the Big Ten title in 1953 and beat UCLA 28-20, in the 1954 Rose Bowl. Michigan State went on to win a share of the National Championship that year and Yewcic was named All-American. "The first game I ever played at quarterback at any level was in front of 104,000 people," Yewcic said. The sophomore star-in-the-making led the Spartans all the way back and defeated their adversaries, 27-13. Trailing 13-0 against their hated rival Michigan, Munn sent Yewcic in. Three weeks before the first game of the 1952 season, Yewcic was moved to quarterback. "You never think about pressure, you just execute." "I was young, 18-years-old," Yewcic said. That halfback was Tom Yewcic and that play will forever be known as the "Transcontinental Pass." The halfback, running as though the play would be a sweep pulled up and threw the ball clear across the field to the quarterback who was streaking down the sidelines. The ball was snapped directly to the fullback and pitched to the right halfback. Michigan State broke the huddle and lined up in their familiar wing T formation. In the closing minutes, legendary coach Biggie Munn called for their secret play. It was 1951 the Spartans were down 20-17 to Big Ten powerhouse Ohio State. In East Lansing, Michigan State followers revel in the thought of the "Transcontinental Pass." Pittsburgh Steeler fans have the "Immaculate Reception."īoston College faithful remember Doug Flutie's "Hail Mary."
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |