Bob Malek Named First-Team All-Big Ten
5/16/2001 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 16, 2001
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Big Ten Conference announced its all-league selections for baseball on Wednesday. Among those honored were three Spartans, including sophomore centerfielder Bob Malek (Detroit, Mich./Detroit Central Catholic), who earned a spot on the first team, and junior pitcher Domanick Squires (Rochester Hills, Mich./Brother Rice) and freshman hurler Bryan Gale (Decatur, Mich./Decatur) both of whom were second-team selections.
"All three of these players definitely earned the All-Big Ten honors they have received," said MSU head coach Ted Mahan. "I'm especially pleased to see Bob Malek earn a spot on the first team. For him to break school records in just his sophomore season is quite an accomplishment. I think all the coaches in the league saw his talents and think of him in the same way that we do, as one of the best players in the conference.
"I'm also happy to see Domanick Squires and Bryan Gale receive some all-league honors. Both players had strong seasons for us and were probably just edged out on the first team by some players with a little bit more experience. Still, to be named Second-Team All-Big Ten is quite an accomplishment."
Malek led Michigan State in hitting with a .427 average. A lefthanded batter, Malek set the MSU single-season hit record with 88. His .427 batting average ranks him 17th in the nation. Besides starting all 56 of MSU's contests this season, he led the squad in runs (53), doubles (15), slugging percentage (.587) and total bases (121) and ranked second in RBI (42). A 2000 Second-Team All-Big Ten selection, Malek led the conference in batting average and hits. Malek becomes Michigan State's first All-Big Ten First-Team Selection since Mark Mulder was named first-team all-league pitcher in 1998.
Squires assumed the role of the Spartan closer this season, leading MSU and ranking second in the Big Ten with nine saves. The lefthander led the Spartans with a 3.24 ERA and posted a 1-1 mark on the season. His 27 appearances led both the team and the conference. His nine saves ranks second on the MSU single-season list.
Gale opened the season in the Spartan bullpen, but worked his way into the starting rotation. He led the team in wins with a 9-1 mark, posting a 3.53 ERA, tops among MSU starters. He started six of the 21 contests in which he pitched and recorded a team-best three complete games. In 63.2 innings of work, he recorded 59 strikeouts, while walking just 26 batters. During his time as a reliever, he earned two saves. He ranked second in the Big Ten in wins (9) and opposing batting average (.236). His nine wins tie him for fourth place on the MSU single-season list.
Minnesota third baseman Jack Hannahan was named the Big Ten Player of the Year. Illinois lefthander Andy Dickinson was named Pitcher of the Year. Ohio State designated hitter Doug Deeds was named Freshman of the Year, while his coach Bob Todd was awarded Coach of the Year. Ohio State was the 2001 Big Ten Regular Season Champion.
2001 All-Big Ten Baseball TeamsPosition First Team Second Team Third TeamFirst Base Nick Swisher, OSU Andy Schutzenhofer, ILL Josh Holthaus, MINNSecond Base David Blomberg, PU Mike Harris, OSU Mike DeRenzo, PSUShortstop Mike Duursma, PU Scott Welch, MINN Kurt Vitense, IOWAThird Base Jack Hannahan, MINN Brock Koman, MICH Luke Simmons, ILLOutfield Mike Check, OSU Rob Fischer, ILL Brady Ballard, ILL Bob Malek, MSU Zack Smithlin, PSU Jason Kennedy, MINN Nate Sickler, PU Sam Steidl, MINN Blake St. Clair, INDDesig. Hitter Doug Deeds, OSU Kurt Haring, MINN Todd Morgan, NUCatcher Chris Netwall, PSU Joe Hietpas, NU David Harrell, PUPitcher Andy Dickinson, ILL Bryan Gale, MSU Kevin Goodrum, OSU Dave Gassner, PU Bobby Korecky, MICH Mike Nall, NU Mike Kobow, MINN Dan McCall, PSU Greg Prenger, OSU E.J. Laratta, OSU Ben Quick, PU Zach Schara, NURelief Pitcher Cory Cox, OSU Domanick Squires, MSU Jason Shupe, MINN
Player of the Year: Jack Hannahan, 3B, MINNPitcher of the Year: Andy Dickinson, ILLFreshman of the Year: Doug Deeds, DH, OSUCoach of the Year: Bob Todd, OSU
