Courtesy of Chris Buck, Sports Information Director,
Babson College
Babson’s Dziuba Drafted By New York Mets
BABSON PARK, Mass. -- Senior tri-captain Teddy Dziuba (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Valley) was selected by the New York Mets in the 2006 First-Year Player Draft.
A lefthanded-hitting catcher, the 5-foot-10, 185-pound Dziuba was taken by the Mets in the 33rd round with the 994th overall pick. He joins former pitchers Rick Renwick ’79 and Jason Kosow ’94 as the only Babson players to be drafted by a professional team.
Beginning with his arrival at Babson in the fall of 2002, Dziuba terrorized opposing pitchers, batting .359 with 187 hits, 49 doubles, 3 triples, 28 home runs, and 151 RBIs while starting all 158 of the Beavers’ games. He posted a career slugging percentage of .626 and an on-base percentage of .476 while drawing 104 walks. He recently graduated as Babson’s all-time leader in homers, doubles, runs, RBIs, walks, total bases (326), and slugging percentage.
In addition to his outstanding offensive numbers, Dziuba developed into one of the finest defensive catchers in New England in recent years, committing just two errors and three passed balls while throwing out 28 of 76 baserunners over the last two seasons. This past spring, he recorded a .994 fielding percentage with one error in 160 chances (121 PO, 38 A) while throwing out 14 of 28 runners attempting to steal.
One of the most decorated players in Babson baseball history, Dziuba was selected to the NEWMAC All-Conference First Team in each of the last three seasons, and was named NEIBA All-New England First Team in 2004, Second Team in 2005, and Third Team in 2006. He played in the Cape Cod Baseball League last summer and was chosen to play in the NEIBA All-Star Game at Fenway Park this past spring.
“This is a great achievement for Teddy and a source of pride for the entire community,” said fourth-year head coach Matt Noone. “Since he arrived at Babson, Teddy has worked tirelessly to make himself and the program better. He is an extremely talented and competitive player, and we are excited that he will be able to continue his baseball career as a member of the Mets’ organization.”
Along with his individual success, Dziuba helped his team reach unprecedented heights during his college career. Over the last four seasons, Babson posted an overall record of 84-74, including a 24-19 mark and the program’s first-ever NEWMAC Championship and NCAA Tournament berth in 2004.
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Christopher M. Buck
Sports Information Director | Babson College
The Webster Center | Babson Park, MA 02457
(781) 239-4553 (phone) | (781) 239-5218 (fax)
email: cbuck@babson.edu <mailto:cbuck@babson.edu>
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From the Bergen, New Jersey Record
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Mets Nab Wayne's Dziuba
Teddy Dziuba will learn to be a Mets fan -- quickly. Dziuba, a Wayne resident and 2002 graduate of Wayne Valley, was drafted Wednesday by the Mets as the 994th overall pick in the 33rd round of the 2006 amateur draft. "I didn't grow up as Mets fan, but I am one now," said Dziuba, a left-hand hitting catcher who recently graduated from Babson College. "The Mets are an unbelievable organization, and they've been unbelievably kind to me throughout the entire process. I'm excited to be with them." The 5-foot-10 180-pound Dziuba batted .331 and slugged nine home runs with 35 RBI in his senior season. He is the first position player to be drafted out of Babson and leaves the school as the all-time leader in homers, doubles, runs, RBI, walks, total bases, and slugging percentage. "I had worked out with the Mets and they had hinted at taking me on the second day," said. "I was watching on the Internet, and it was a huge relief when they did. It's been a whirlwind since. I was especially happy for my father. For me and him to have this day is something special." Bryan Hallberg of River Edge, a 2003 graduate of River Dell, was drafted by the Houston Astros as the 369th overall pick in the 12th round. "I had heard that I might go anywhere from the 10th to 12th round," Hallberg said. "I was sitting there watching other guys get drafted that I knew. When I got drafted I felt relieved, I was excited." Drafted as a pitcher, Hallberg (6-foot-1, 220 lbs.) completed his junior season at Pace, where he posted a 6-3 record with a 2.53 ERA. Hallberg also struck out 78 in 781/3 innings. Over the draft's two days, fifty rounds and 1,502 picks were made, but neither former New York Little League star Danny Almonte nor Old Tappan's Jeff Maier were selected. E-Mail: duffy@northjersey.com |