ASU legends Bane and Bannister named to National College Baseball Hall of Fame

Eddie Bane and Floyd Bannister, two of the greatest pitchers to ever wear a Sun Devil uniform, have been named to the 2008 induction class for the College Baseball Hall of Fame, the College Baseball Foundation announced today. Bane and Bannister will bring the total number of Sun Devils in the Hall of Fame to five, joining coaching legends Bobby Winkles and Dr. Jim Brock as well as former Golden Spikes Award winner Bob Horner.

Bane and Bannister will enter the Hall of Fame with fellow 2008 inductees Steve Arlin (Ohio State), Owen Carroll (Player at Holy Cross, Head Coach of Seton Hall), William "Billy" Disch (Head Coach at Sacred Heart, St. Edward's and Texas), Neal Heaton (Miami), Burt Hooton (Texas), Dick Howser (Player and Head Coach at Florida State), Ben McDonald (LSU), Jackie Robinson (UCLA), Greg Swindell (Texas) and Gary Ward (Head Coach at Oklahoma State and New Mexico State). Carroll, Disch and Robinson were selected as Vintage Era Inductees.

The official induction ceremony will take place over Fourth of July weekend in Lubbock, Texas, the future site of the College Baseball Hall of Fame.

Eddie Bane pitched at Arizona State from 1971 to 1973, going 40-4 in his career with a 1.64 ERA. The lefthander threw 27 complete games and 11 shutouts during his collegiate career, helping lead the Sun Devils to the College World Series in 1972 and 1973. He struck out 535 batters in 379.1 innings pitched, including a career high 21 against LaVerne in 1972. He threw the only perfect game in Arizona State baseball history on March 2, 1973, striking out 19 batters in a 9-0 win over Cal State Northridge. His 535 strikeouts still stands as a school record, and his 40 career wins are third most in ASU history. Bane was twice named an All-American and was the 11th overall pick in the 1973 Major League by the Minnesota Twins. He played three seasons in the Majors and is currently the Director of Scouting for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He had his #21 retired by Arizona State University on February 16, 2000.

Floyd Bannister wore the Maroon and Gold from 1974 to 1976, going 38-6 with a 1.88 ERA. His 29 career complete games are second most in school history, as are his 478 strikeouts. Bannister holds the ASU single season record for single season ERA (1.45 in 1976), single season strikeouts (217 in 1975), single season shutouts (four in 1976), single season complete games (17 in 1976) and is tied with Kendall Carter for the single season wins mark (19 in 1976). He was twice named a First Team All-American and was a member of College World Series teams in 1975 and 1976. Bannister was the first overall pick in the 1976 Major League Baseball draft, going to the Houston Astros. He played 15 seasons in the big leagues, including making the All-Star team in 1982. His #19 was retired by Arizona State University on January 18, 1997.

Over 300 candidates were originally submitted for consideration by universities and CBF members. Players are eligible for the College Baseball Hall of Fame ballot five years after the student-athlete's final collegiate season, not to include any active player or coach on a professional baseball team roster. Former players must have made an All American team or an All League team during at least one year at a four-year institution. Coaches are eligible after ending their collegiate career, not to include an active coach on a professional baseball team. They must have achieved 300 career wins, or have won at least 65% of their games.