Richard Zinniger
Left Hand Pitcher 19
Ht/Wt
5'
10"
|
185 lbs.
Class
Senior
Hometown
Encinitas, 
California
Roster Years
1968-1969


Personal

  • Born in September
  • Father is Andrew
  • Majored in physical education

Career Highlights

  • Selected as an All-American, All-Conference and All-District Seven performer
  • Won 11 games his senior year while striking out 137 

Before BYU

  • Prepped at San Dieguito High where he was two-time all-league and team MVP
  • Won the Crickmore Scholarship
  • Played in the County-City High School All-Star game
  • Played for the LaMesa Collegians
  • Was all-conference for two years at Palomar Junior College
  • Was team MVP
  • Received the Sportsmanship Award

After BYU

  • Drafted by the San Diego Padres

Post BYU Honors and Societies

  • Named the Minor League Player of the Year
  • Inducted into the BYU Hall of Fame in 1983

Stats

Year     ERA  W-L APP  GS  CG  SV    IP   H   R  ER  BB  SO
1968    2.94  5-3  12  10   4   -  67.3  54  34  22  44  74
1969    2.34 11-2  15  12  10   - 100.0  79  33  26  45 137
1983 BYU Hall of Fame

1983 BYU Hall of Fame

Former BYU athletic director and baseball coach Glen Tuckett said Rich was perhaps the most courageous pitcher he ever coached. When it came time to "bear-down" with a man on third, you would have to beat him with a stick to score a run, said Tuckett.

Concentration was just one of the qualities that has led Rich to success on the field and off. Before coming to BYU, he had proven himself as an outstanding athlete. He was all-league in basketball and baseball at San Dieguito High School in San Diego. Rich went on to be named all-conference in baseball at Palomar Junior College before continuing his career at BYU.

In 1969, Rich emerged as one of BYU's greatest pitchers. He was selected as an All-American and was also chosen as an All-Conference and All-District performer. He led the Cougars to many a victory with his excellent curveball and outstanding athletic ability.

Rich's career didn't end at BYU but continued successfully into professional baseball. Following the 1969 season at BYU, Rich was drafted by the San Diego Padres and went on to be named the minor league player of the year.

Freshman Year

Sophmore Year

Junior Year 1968

  • All-Western Athletic Conference Northern Division first team
Senior Year 1969

  • Drafted in the 27th round by the San Diego Padres
  • Third-team All-American
  • All-District Seven
  • All-Western Athletic Conference Northern Division first team
  • Set school records with 137 strikeouts on the season (a record that still stands) and 347 strikeouts in a career
  • Struck out 17 for a school record against the University of San Francisco
Graduate Year

Redshirt Year

Medical Redshirt Year