Gordon Named Golden Spikes Award Finalist

Durham, N.C. - Nebraska All-America third baseman Alex Gordon was named one of five finalists Wednesday for the 2005 Golden Spikes Award, amateur baseball's most esteemed honor presented in partnership with USA Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association.

Gordon, who is a top candidate for national player-of-the-year honors, captured his second straight Big 12 Conference Player-of-the-Year award on Wednesday.  The Lincoln, Neb., native enters tonight's first-round Big 12 Tournament game against Texas Tech with a conference-leading .396 average, 16 homers and 53 RBIs. The first-team All-American has started all 58 games for the fourth-ranked Huskers and ranks among the Big 12 leaders in 11 of 12 offensive categories.

He is the first Big 12 Player to repeat as conference player of the year since former Baylor two-way performer Jason Jennings in 1998 and 1999 and the first-ever Husker to be a two-time conference player of the year. He also led Nebraska to its second Big 12 Conference regular-season championship in the past three seasons.

Gordon is bidding to become Nebraska's first-ever Golden Spikes Award winner.  In its history, the award has been presented to players from just 21 schools around the country.

All five 2005 Golden Spikes Award finalists are juniors this season at their respective schools, and all five players are eligible for the upcoming Major League Baseball player entry draft in June.

The five finalists for the award and brief season recaps are listed below.

Alex Gordon  - Nebraska  - IF  - Jr.
The Huskers' third baseman enters this week's Big 12 Tournament hitting .396 with 16 homers and 53 RBI. The first-team All-American ranks among the Big 12 leaders in 11 of 12 categories. 3rd all-time finalist from Nebraska (no previous winners).

Ryan Braun  - Miami (Fla) -  IF  - Jr.
Third baseman is currently leading the Hurricanes in most offensive categories including hits (79), runs scored (68), home runs (16) and RBI (70) while posting a .418 batting average. 11th all-time finalist from Miami (one winner - Burrell '98).

Jeff Clement  - Southern California - C  - Jr.
Considered one of the top catchers in the nation, the talented backstop is currently leading the Trojans in most offensive categories including hits (67), doubles (17), home runs (11) and RBI (44) while posting a team-high .358 batting average. 7th all-time finalist from USC (one winner - Prior '01).

Trevor Crowe  - Arizona  - OF - Jr.
The Wildcat outfielder is the Pac-10 leader in no less then eight offensive categories, including a .429 batting average with 76 runs scored, 24 doubles, 13 triples, nine home runs, 53 RBI and 23 stolen bases. 3rd all-time finalist from Arizona (one winner - Francona '80). 

Luke Hochevar  - Tennessee  - RHP  - Jr.
The 2005 Southeastern Conference Pitcher of the Year leads the NCAA with 13 wins this season and ranks first in the SEC with 123 strikeouts, 42 batters struck out looking and 111.2 innings pitched. 3rd all-time finalist from Tennessee (no previous winners).   

The 2005 Golden Spikes Award winner will be announced during the broadcast of the 28th Annual Golden Spikes Award show at a date and time still to be determined. The broadcast, presented in conjunction with the Major League Baseball Players Association, will also highlight USA Baseball's athlete programs as well as some of the various organizational youth baseball initiatives supported by USA Baseball and the MLBPA.

"USA Baseball is once again proud to recognize the inspiring performances of the nation's top collegiate baseball players. We also appreciate our ongoing relationship with the Major League Baseball Players Association and the undying support Major Leaguers display in helping amateur baseball players, especially at the grassroots level," said Paul Seiler, USA Baseball Executive Director / CEO.

For the past 27 years, USA Baseball has honored the top amateur baseball player in the country with the Golden Spikes Award. Following the first ever presentation of the Award to Bob Horner of Arizona State in 1978, the Golden Spikes Award has been presented each year to the player who exhibits exceptional athletic ability and exemplary sportsmanship.

The 2004 Golden Spikes Award winner was Jered Weaver of Long Beach State University. Past winners of this prestigious award include current Major League Baseball stars such as Khalil Greene ('02), Mark Prior ('01), Jason Jennings ('00), Pat Burrell (‘98), J.D. Drew ('97), Travis Lee ('96), Mark Kotsay ('95), Jason Varitek ('94), Darren Dreifort ('93), and Phil Nevin ('92). Former Major League stars that have captured the award include Alex Fernandez ('90), Ben McDonald ('89), Robin Ventura ('88), Jim Abbott ('87), Will Clark ('85), Dave Magadan ('83), Terry Francona ('80), Tim Wallach ('79), and Bob Horner ('78).