2018 Distinguished Citizen
WHS Class of 1960
Professional Athletics, Business
Professional
- Major League Baseball pitcher - Detroit Tigers 1964-1969, Montreal Expos 1970
- Football and baseball at The Ohio State University, 1960-1963
- Vice President of Sales/Marketing at Worthington Steel, Worthington, Ohio
Honors/Awards
- Major League Baseball pitcher (Detroit Tigers & Montreal Expos) - 1964-1970
- World Series Champions, Detroit Tigers - 1968
- Drafted by the Detroit Tigers - 1963
- Threw a no-hitter against Michigan - 1963
- Quarterback, The Ohio State University - 1961-1962
- Football National Champions, The Ohio State University - 1961
- All-Ohio, Massillon Tigers Football - 1959
- State Champions, Massillon Tigers Football - 1959
- Three-year varsity letterman, football and baseball, for the Massillon Tigers - 1957-1959
Education
- Washington High School - 1960
- The Ohio State University - 1963
Athletic Achievements
- 52-52 in Major League Baseball appearances
- Took a no-hitter into the ninth inning with one out on a nationally televised game - 1969
- Pitched in the World Series - Detroit Tigers vs. St. Louis Cardinals - 1968
- Pitched a complete game to clinch the pennant against the New York Yankees - 1968
- Posted a 16-9 record with 11 complete games, 5 shutouts, and a 3.76 ERA - 1967
- Played three years of football and baseball at The Ohio State University - 1960-1963
- Threw for 1,355 yards and 26 touchdowns in his career at OSU
- Led OSU to a Big Ten Championship and National Championship, 8-0-1 season - 1961
- Had 474 total yards and threw an 80-yard touchdown pass in the Michigan game - 1961
- Led the North to a win in the 1960 North-South All-Star Classic (Roger Staubach started for the South)
- As a WHS sophomore, in the final minute against No. 1-ranked Warren Harding, threw a 46-yard touchdown pass for a thrilling Tiger win
Joe Sparma stats and information at MLB.com