Celebrities Highlight 2001 First Pitches
May 9, 2001
Coral Gables, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) — – 2001 Ceremonial First Pitch Participants
New York Yankees All-Star Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez – Florida Atlantic (1/25)
— Has seen three seasons of action with the New York Yankees since defecting from Cuba in 1998. Hernandez was a star pitcher for the Cuban National Team for many seasons before signing as a free agent by the Yankees for the 1998 season.
Florida Marlins Charles Johnson – Florida Atlantic (1/27)
— Made a quick impact at UM upon his signing with the Hurricanes in 1989. A first round draft pick and the 10th overall selection by the Montreal Expos, Johnson decided to play with UM. In his rookie season at UM, Johnson tied the freshman home run record with 11 to earn a selection to both the Baseball America and Collegiate Baseball newspaper Freshman All-America teams. Johnson eventually concluded his tenure at UM as a three-year letterman and a two-time Golden Spikes Award finalist. In his final season in 1992, Johnson was named a First-Team All-American by The Sporting News. Upon leaving UM in 1992, Johnson was once again drafted in the first round by his hometown Florida Marlins, but not before playing with the USA National Team at the Barcelona Olympics.
Florida Marlins Alex Fernandez – Florida (2/9)
— Played one season at Miami in 1989 before making his move towards the Major League. After transferring to Miami-Dade South, Fernandez was drafted in the first round by Chicago White Sox. In that one season in 1989, Fernandez compiled a team-best 15-2 record with a 2.01 ERA. With 177 strikeouts , he was named an All-American and College Baseball’s Rookie of the Year. He later won the 1997 World Series with the Marlins.
Miami Head Football Coach Larry Coker – Florida (2/10)
— Prior to his announcement as Head Coach on Feb. 3, Head Coach Larry Coker served six seasons as Offensive Coordinator for the Hurricanes. In his 31-year coaching career, Coker has spent 22 at the collegiate level. Since his arrival at UM, his offense has produced three of the school’s four 1,000-yard rushers, six first-team All-Americans, one BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year and 19 first-team All-BIG EAST selections.
Los Angeles Dodgers F.P. Santangelo – Oklahoma State (2/11)
— Went on to be drafted by the Montreal Expos following his stint in Coral Gables in 1989. Following the Expos, Santangelo played with the San Francisco Giants and currently with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is currently listed in the UM record books in season columns for total sacrifices (#4, 20) and hit-by-pitch (#4, 12). His .341 batting average and 32 stolen bases also led the team in 1989.
Houston Astros J.D. Arteaga – Elon College (2/16)
— Played at Miami from 1994-97 and was drafted by the New York Mets in the 26th round in the 1997 draft. After rising through the Mets system, Arteaga will start the 2001 season playing for the Houston Astros. He currently is listed at the top of the career record books in starts (72) and wins (43), while near the top in several other pitching categories.
Orlando Magic All-Star Tracy McGrady – FSU (4/14)
— A current All-Star with the Orlando Magic, Tracy McGrady was a first round draft pick of the Toronto Raptors coming out of Mount Zion Christian Academy in 1997. This past summer he signed as a free agent with the Magic, who will be in town to face the Miami Heat. Joining McGrady, were Magic teammates Mike Miller and Michael Doleac.
University of Miami President Edward T. “Tad” Foote II- FSU (4/14)
— Became the fourth president of the University of Miami in 1981. In June he will end his 20-year term where he guided the University to become one of the largest, most comprehensive, private research university in the Southeast. Under President Foote, athletics has flourished winning four football National Championships, three baseball College World Series titles, several individual National Champions and All-Americans as well as entry into the BIG EAST Conference.
