JUNE 18, 1935
COLLEGE ALL-AMERICAN TEAM REVEALED
Pitcher Al Jones of Central Ohio highlights the 1935 Figment Sporting Journal College Baseball All-American team selections. Jones becomes the second member of his family to be named to the All-American team as his older brother Freddie, who also played at Central Ohio and is now a star second baseman for the St Louis Pioneers, was selected twice: in 1929 and 1930. The 21 year old Jones was 9-3 with a 2.93 era and an AIAA leading 141 strikeouts in 16 starts for the Aviators. Jones is also favoured to win the first annual Frank Christian Trophy, to be awarded to the player judged to be the best in college baseball. While previously unnamed, the college player of the year has been awarded annually since 1927 and Freddie Jones was the winner in 1930 so little brother Al is looking to follow in his footsteps in that area as well.
The only player to repeat as a member of the All-American team was outfielder Sal Pestilli, a sophomore from Narragansett College. The Rhode Island native won the college triple crown a year ago while hitting over .400 and was named the National Player of the Year. His numbers dipped this season but he still hit .353, second only to Alex Lacomb of Cuyahoga University, and Pestilli did enough to warrant a return to the All-American team.
The draft eligible first team All-Americans include a pair of Topeka State Braves in catcher Charlie Gagnon and second baseman Mickey Fulton. The duo were the only teammates to be selected. Other draft eligible juniors named to the first team are Hal Wood, a shortstop from Smithfield College, Ohio Poly third baseman Mike Roberson, Northern California outfielder Ollie Williams and Central Ohio's Jones.
The OSA mock draft tabs Smithfield College's Wood as the top college player eligible and they slot him in as 6th pick in their initial mock draft. Wood, a 21 year old from Houston is hailed for his outstanding defense and projected to be a solid major league shortstop.
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1935 FIGMENT SPORTING JOURNAL'S COLLEGE ALL-AMERICAN TEAM
FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS
POS NAME CL SCHOOL HOMETOWN
C Charlie Gagnon FR Topeka State Milwaukee, WI
1B Jim Hammond FR Redwood Univ Salt Lake City, UT
2B Mickey Fulton JR Topeka State Wichita Falls, TX
SS Hal Wood JR Smithfield College Houston, TX
3B Mike Roberson JR Ohio Poly Bridgeport, CT
OF Joe Zielinski SO Ceasr Rodney Buffalo, NY
OF Sal Pestilli SO Narragansett Westerly, RI
OF Ollie Williams JR Northern Cal Georgetown, TX
P Al Jones JR Central Ohio Nashville, TN
SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS
POS NAME CL SCHOOL HOMETOWN
C Bob Higginbottom JR Opelika St Memphis, TN
1B Max Smith SO Texas Panhandle Dallas, TX
2B Austin Moore JR Garden State Soledad, CA
SS John Bonner FR Maryland St Pampa, TX
3B Billy Dalton JR Perry State St Louis, MO
OF Luis Herrero SO Coll of Binghamton New Rochelle, NY
OF Alex Lacombe FR Cuyahoga Univ. Cleveland, OH
OF Charlie Nathan FR South Valley State Brownwood, TX
P Bunny Edwards SO Red River State New Castle, PA