Hall of Fame
Bobby Rutledge played for the Broncs baseball team from 1975-78. He led the Broncs to the 1975 NCAA South Central Regional, the 1976 Midwest Regional and the 1978 South Central Regional. In 1978, Rutledge earned NCAA All-American honors, AABC All-American honors and South Central Regional All-Tournament Team recognition while scoring the fourth most runs in a single season in program history (68), stealing the second most bases (77) and drawing the fourth most walks (64).
In 1977, Rutledge scored the ninth most runs in a single season in program history (59) while tying for the fourth most steals (61). During that season, Rutledge was hit by a fastball while trying to drag a bunt and suffered a broken thumb with 23 games left. At that point he was at 52 stolen bases. Rutledge spent the rest of the season as a pinch runner, stealing nine bases with a cast on. He was caught just twice all season.
He is the program record holder in career walks (155) and also ranks second all-time in runs scored (175) and stolen bases (164) as well as third all-time in games played (204).
“I would like to thank the committee for selecting me. This is the best thing that's ever happened to me. It's an honor,” Rutledge said. “I grew up in Edinburg watching the sports at Pan Am. It feels great growing up in the city where there were such great athletes, dreaming to be a part of it and then playing four years at Pan Am. They were the greatest four years of my life.”
