In the lead up to the 86th All-Star Game in Cincinnati on July 14, Major League Baseball unveiled the results of its Franchise Four contest with fans voting for the four best players in the history of all 30 teams.
On Friday, I wrote a post theorizing that attackman James Lee Chambers II, goalkeeper Mickey Jarboe and attackmen James C. "Jimmy" Lewis and Jeff Long would represent Navy's "Franchise Four." You can read more about the four players and some players in consideration here.
Continuing this series and going in alphabetical order, here is one person's take on the Mount Rushmore for Towson. Like the MLB model, coaches were not included, and players are listed in alphabetical order.
Midfielder James M. Darcangelo (1973-1975) – NCAA Division II/III Player of the Year in 1974 and 1975 … Division II/III's Midfielder of the Year in 1974 … Three-time All American who achieved first-team status in 1974 and 1975.
Attackman Bob Griebe (1972-1975) – Division II/III's Attackman of the Year in 1975 … Two-time All American who earned first-team status in 1975 … Program's all-time leader in points (221) and tied with John Blatchley for the school lead in assists (125) … Seventh in goals (96) … Owner of top two single-season performances in points (89 each in 1974 and 1975) and assists (58 in 1975 and 53 in 1974).
Midfielder Rob Shek (1989-91) – Program's first Division I first-team All American, garnering that honor in 1991 … Division I Midfielder of the Year in 1991 … 77 goals and 13 assists in career.
Attackman Glenn Smith Jr. (1988-91) – Three-time All American who was a four-year starter … School's all-time leader in goals (154) and shots (458) … Along with Griebe, one of just two players in program history to eclipse 200-point mark (209) … Team's top goal producer in 1988 (46), 1989 (33), 1990 (31) and 1991 (44) and top point scorer in 1988 (62) and 1989 (48).
Others in consideration were attackmen John Blatchley and Matt Clune, midfielders Dan Cocchi and Tim Langton, defenseman Adam Baxter, Carl Beernink and Wendell Thomas and goalkeeper Reed Sothoron. Unfortunately, with only four spots available, some difficult decisions had to be made.
Agree? Disagree? Feel free to chime in with your thoughts.