May 9, 2002
Tuscaloosa, Ala. - Stanford baseball players Jason Cooper and Chris O'Riordan have been selected as two of the 40 semifinalists for the 2002 Dick Howser Trophy, given to the top player in collegiate baseball. Both players were All-American selections in 2001.
Cooper, a junior designated hitter from Moses Lake, Wash., is hitting .374 with 10 homers and 43 RBI in 42 games this season. He was named the NCBWA National Hitter of the Week earlier this year on April 16 after hitting four homers and driving in 10 runs the previous week. He also had a career-high 15-game hit streak from February 15-March 28.
O'Riordan, a senior second baseman from San Diego, Calif., is hitting .339 with seven homers, 37 RBI and three stolen bases in 46 games this season. O'Riordan has started 157 consecutive games at second base for the Cardinal. He has had three hit streaks of 10 games or more this season and reached base in each of the first 38 games in 2002.
The Dick Howser Trophy, given in memory of the former Florida State All-America shortstop and major league player and manager who died of brain cancer in 1987, is regarded by many as college baseball's most prestigious award.
Criteria for consideration for the trophy include performance on the field, leadership, moral character and courage, qualities that were exemplified by Dick Howser's life.
The winner of the 2002 award will be announced at the College World Series in Omaha on Friday, June 14 at 9:30 a.m., CDT.