Trbovich, Mike

Mike Trbovich – (1987)

 

Mike Trbovich

Selected for the “Special Award Category”, big Mike Trbovich is one of those rare individuals who could have been selected in either category of the Lorain Sports Hall of Fame.

Mike began his athletic career at Whittier playing center for Coach Al McConihe’s basketball team which won consecutive city championships in 1941-42-43. During this period, Whittier’s Intramurals included a softball program and Mike’s room had all of the better players. To foster competition, Mike suggested to Coach McConihe that Mike pitch for the weaker team. To his surprise, the coach agreed and Mike won a 2-1 game. During the summer he pitched for the strong Berrill Cigar team.

Moving up to Lorain High in the mid-forties, Mike starred in both basketball and baseball in the old Lake Erie League. He was an outstanding rebounder and strong defensive guard who averaged 10 points per game in an era when teams averaged 40 points a game.

When baseball was restarted at Lorain High, Mike started all games either as the pitcher or outfielder. As the leading pitcher with a snappy curveball, he averaged 10 strikeouts per game. He also led the team with a .426 batting average.

After graduation, Mike attended a Chicago White Sox tryout camp at St. Mary’s, Ohio. He was the only one extended a contract out of 102 players. He was assigned to Lima of the Ohio-Indiana league. As the season came to a close, Mike began to have control problems, particularly with his curve. Unhappy with his struggle to regain his control, Mike decided to attend Bowling Green to further his education.

While in college, Mike played for a Toledo sponsored team that won the Ohio AAU championship. They went on to the Nationals against such renown aggregations as Phillips 66, Peoria Caterpillars and were named the “Cinderella Team” of the tournament.

While playing in the Toledo area, Mike was offered a scouting job by the San Francisco Giants. After 13 years, he shifted to the Los Angeles Dodgers and 1987 will be his 25th year as a professional scout. During that period, some of his more famous recommendations and signings have been Orel Hershiser, Steve Stone and Bob Brenly. Very active in college recruiting during these same years, Mike garnered college grants and scholarships for over 56 athletes. Ashland, Ohio, Northern and St. Clair Community Colleges have bestowed “Honorary Letterman” awards on him for his efforts.

An engineer at Ford Motor Company, Mike now resides in Sandusky with his wife Mary Ann. And, once again, Mike is listed in the Blue Book of Baseball, 1986 Edition, as one of the select group of professional baseball scouts in America.