The Switch Pays Off Big for Bobby Mac

Through his first two years as a shortstop/relief pitcher at The College of Wooster, it didn't appear as if Bob McFadden's career would be all that noteworthy, nonetheless Hall-of-Fame worthy. But, after moving into the starting rotation for his junior season, Mac's career took off as he helped the team to consecutive Ohio Athletic Conference North Division crowns and set several records, earning a spot among the Fighting Scots' all-time great hurlers.

With a rocket of an arm, McFadden entered games at short or as a middle reliever primarily as a freshman. He then earned the starting nod as a shortstop during his sophomore season, but after hitting .231 and struggling a bit defensively, head coach Bob Morgan decided to put his arm to better use.

øBob came to Wooster as a thrower," said Morgan. øHe worked hard and developed into a pitcher."

McFadden's first two years on the mound resulted in 16 appearances and 46.1 innings, during which he went 5-0, struck out 43, and compiled a 2.91 ERA as part of one of the best NCAA Div. III staffs ever. As a matter of fact, the Scots led the nation with a 1.87 ERA in 1979, which still stands as a club record.

Following the loss of All-OAC pitchers Russ Crawford and Walt Vanderbush, McFadden was given the chance to make more of an impact. He took advantage of the opportunity and then some, going 11-0 in 11 starts and two other appearances and sporting a 2.09 ERA. Mac led the OAC in wins and strikeouts with 96 that spring, all of which landed him second-team all-conference honors.

The run continued into the 1981 season, as the then senior notched his 21st consecutive victory before finally suffering a collegiate loss as part of a 7-2, 2.85 ERA campaign. The 21-straight wins stands as an OAC record today. Also noteworthy, Wooster again led all of Div. III in ERA during McFadden's final campaign, in which he posted honorable mention on the All-OAC Team, as the staff had a 2.73 mark.

For his career, Mac's power-pitching style enabled him to whiff 201 batters in 188.1 innings, which ranks seventh on the Scots' all-time list in strikeouts. He's also sixth in ERA (2.53) and tied for 10th in wins (23).

øI very much enjoyed my entire athletic career at Wooster and played with many outstanding players," recalled McFadden, who also played basketball as a freshman. Among those were four Major League Baseball draftees ‚ Crawford, Vanderbush, fellow Rocky River native Tim Kelly, and Mike Knox, who was McFadden's roommate. After graduating from Wooster with a Bachelor of Arts degree in physical education (minor in communication studies), McFadden added his name to that list, with an assist from his dad, Tom, who øtirelessly wrote letters to scouts in the area," as the Detroit Tigers selected him in the 14th round of the 1981 draft. He spent three years in the minor leagues, playing Class A ball in Bristol, Tenn. and Macon, Ga.

For the last 21 years, McFadden has worked at Medical Mutual of Ohio, currently serving as an account executive. He's also been married to his wife, Kathleen, for that length of time, and they have two children, Kyleen (16) and Bobby (13). Active in the community, Mac is a volunteer with both Junior Achievement and the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and coaches youth basketball and baseball. He hasn't hung up the spikes yet either, as he plays in the local chapter of the Roy Hobbs 30-and-over league and participates in the Roy Hobbs World Series every year in Ft. Myers, Fla.