 
07/13/2004 7:05 PM ET
Jered Weaver wins 2004 USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award
Anaheim's first-round draft pick becomes first player from Long Beach State to capture amateur baseball's most prestigious honor
DURHAM, N.C. -- As seen today in over 22.5 million households on the 2004 Golden Spikes Award television special, USA Baseball has announced that Jered Weaver -- a pitcher from Long Beach State University -- topped an incredibly talented field of five finalists to capture the 2004 Golden Spikes Award, amateur baseball's most prestigous honor. The 27th presentation of the award, which is sponsored annually by the Major League Baseball Players Association, will be held at a later date and time to be determined.
Weaver, a native of Simi Valley, Calif., becomes the first ever winner of the Golden Spikes Award from Long Beach State, while he was also the first ever nominee from the Big West school. Previously, Weaver has earned college baseball's top honor in 2004 from Collegiate Baseball Newspaper, Baseball America, the National Collegiate Baseball Writer's Association and the Dick Howser Award. He is also among the finalists for the Roger Clemens Award.
The unanimous first-team All-American went 15-1 with a 1.62 ERA, striking out 213 batters, tying him for the sixth-best single-season total in NCAA history. He also led the nation in wins and strikeouts. Over his three-year career, Weaver finished with an LBSU school-record 37 wins (37-8), the fourth-best career ERA (2.43) and the third-most career shutouts (4). The righty was the 12th overall pick in this past June's Major League Baseball Draft by the Anaheim Angels.
"I never expected any of these awards to come, so to even be among the top five amateur players in the country, that's a very big honor," said Jered, the younger brother of 1996 USA Baseball Olympic Bronze medalist Jeff Weaver. "This past season, I just tried to keep my team in ballgames, and I was able to do that."
"USA Baseball is extremely proud to honor Jered Weaver of Long Beach State University with the 2004 Golden Spikes Award," said Paul Seiler, USA Baseball Executive Director/CEO. "Jered's magnificent collegiate career in which he dominated the headlines and posted incredible numbers, certainly proves he was the most outstanding amateur player this year. We're also excited that Jered played such an instrumental role in helping Team USA capture a silver medal at the 2003 Pan Am Games, and we're very happy for the LBSU baseball program and their head coach, Mike Weathers."
For the past 26 years, USA Baseball has honored the top amateur baseball player in the country with the Golden Spikes Award. (See winners box below.) The award is presented each year to the player who exhibits exceptional athletic ability and exemplary sportsmanship. Past winners of this prestigious award include current Major League Baseball stars J. D. Drew, Pat Burrell, Mark Kotsay, Jason Jennings, Mark Prior, and Khalil Greene. The 2003 winner was Rickie Weeks of the Milwaukee Brewers.
The television special was aired across the nation this afternoon on Fox Sports West, Fox Sports South, Fox Sports Southwest, & Fox Sports Arizona. It will be tape delayed throughout the summer on CSTV.
The Golden Spikes Award is sponsored by the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA), underscoring the commitment of Major League Baseball players to the grassroots development of baseball programs, particularly for youth, around the world. The MLBPA supports USA Baseball's ongoing efforts to provide instruction for youth baseball players, coaches, and volunteers, and to prepare amateur athletes for professional competition.
USA Baseball is the National Governing Body of amateur baseball in the United States and a member of the United States Olympic Committee. The organization selects and trains the USA Baseball Olympic Team, the USA Baseball National Team, the USA Baseball Junior National team (18-under), and the USA Baseball Youth National Team (16-under) which participate in various international competitions each year.
All-time USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award Winners
Year Pos GSA Recipient School
2004 RHP Jered Weaver Long Beach State
2003 IF Rickie Weeks Southern
2002 IF Khalil Greene Clemson
2001 RHP Mark Prior USC
2000 RHP Kip Bouknight South Carolina
1999 RHP Jason Jennings Baylor
1998 IF Pat Burrell Miami
1997 OF J.D. Drew Florida State
1996 IF Travis Lee San Diego State
1995 OF Mark Kotsay Cal State Fullerton
1994 C Jason Varitek Georgia Tech
1993 RHP Darren Dreifort Wichita State
1992 IF Phil Nevin Cal State Fullerton
1991 OF Mike Kelly Arizona State
1990 RHP Alex Fernandez Miami-Dade South
1989 RHP Ben McDonald Louisiana State
1988 IF Robin Ventura Oklahoma State
1987 LHP Jim Abbott Michigan
1986 LHP Mike Loynd Florida State
1985 IF Will Clark Mississippi State
1984 OF Oddibe McDowell Arizona State
1983 IF Dave Magadan Alabama
1982 IF Augie Schmidt New Orleans
1981 OF Mike Fuentes Florida State
1980 OF Terry Francona Arizona
1979 IF Tim Wallace Cal State Fullerton
1978 IF Bob Horner Arizona State
2004 USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award Finalists
So. LHP/IF Stephen Head Mississippi
Jr. IF Dustin Pedroia Arizona State
Jr. RHP Huston Street Texas
Jr. RHP Wade Townsend Rice
Jr. RHP Jered Weaver Long Beach State
Courtesy of USA Baseball.
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