June 12, 2003
WACO, Texas - Chris Durbin, David Murphy, Steven White and Zach Dillon were recognized by boosters, the coaching staff and their own teammates for their contributions to the Baylor Baseball program in 2003.
Durbin was named the first recipient of the Thornton Sterling Player of the Year Award. The honor is designated for the player who best shows both consistent performance and effort on the field and is an outstanding representative for the Baylor Baseball program off the field.
The award is named in honor of former Baylor baseball letterman and longtime fan Thornton Sterling. After lettering from 1934 to 1936, Sterling has spent more than 70 years as the consummate ambassador and supporter for Baylor University and her athletes. Members of the Heart of the Order, the Baylor baseball booster club, voted on the award.
Murphy received the Judge Fred "Red" Harris 110 Percent Award, given annually since 1977 to the player who best exhibits leadership, dedication. and sportsmanship. The award is the only honor voted on by the players. Past winners include two-time recipients Burl Coker and current head coach Steve Smith.
Murphy was also named the Larry Isbell Most Valuable Player for 2003. The award goes to the team's top position player, as decided by a point system that includes traditional statistics such as hits and RBI as well as such acts as moving a runner over and taking extra bases.
Steven White earned the Ted Lyons Most Valuable Pitcher award. Named for the only member of the Baseball Hall of Fame to have played in the Southwest Conference, Baylor alum Ted Lyons, the award is also calculated based on a point system.
Zach Dillon received the team's Spring 2003 Award for Academic Excellence, given to a player each semester for his work in the classroom.
Baylor saw its 2003 season end in an NCAA Super Regional defeat, losing to LSU two games to one. The Bears finished with a 45-23 record, tying the 2000 team for the second-most wins in a season by a Baylor squad, and set new team single-season marks in eight statistical categories, including batting average, hits, doubles and total bases. The year also saw Baylor players set or match single-season records for hits (David Murphy, 121), runs (Chris Durbin, 94) and doubles (Michael Griffin, 26).
