Rich Woodford

Class of 2011

Pitcher, 1^st Baseman

Cadott Red Sox 1969-74; Lafayette Indians 1969, 83-88; Lafayette Lakers 1976-83

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Difference makers from the mound and the plate are rare but sought after commodities in CRBL play.  Through 82 seasons of league history, roughly 25 players have excelled within these parameters.  Rich “Butch” Woodford was one of those players.

After getting his start as a part-time player for the Lafayette Indians and Cadott Red Sox in 1969, the wiry lefty led the CRBL with 3 triples in 1970 during his first year as a full-timer for Cadott.  Rich tied for the high mark in triples with 2 during a 1973 season in which he hit .310, his first .300+ effort.  Offensively, his other pace setting total came in 1976 with 4 doubles and in 1987 when he scorched a career best .519 (28 for 54) average to lead the CRBL for the 12 and 5 Lafayette Indians.  Woodford’s .331 career average was sculpted through eight seasons hitting over .300 (1973, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1983-1986), two seasons over .400 (1979, 1980) and the previously mentioned .519 in 1987.

In 1971, he also was a league leader, but this time from the mound with a 2.10 ERA (7 ER/30 IP) while winning 3 and losing 1 for the 11 and 6 Red Sox. 10 years later, Butch’s suffocating 0.58 ERA (2 ER/31 IP) in 1981 was also tops in the CRBL.  Had a career high 6 wins in 1982, helping the Lakers of Lafayette cap off three straight Final 8’s (1980-82).  Notched five sub-3.00 ERA seasons (1969, 1971, 1977, 1981, 1983).

Used primarily as a reliever and spot starter throughout his CRBL career, Butch logged a personal best 63 innings in 1976 during his first season with the Lakers.  In collecting 14 career saves, the southpaw tied for the league lead in this area with 1 in 1980 and led outright with 3 lockdowns in 1983 and 1986.

A competitive winner during his time in the CRBL, Woodford played on 16 winning squads (1970-1971, 1973-1974, 1976-1985, 1987, 1988), two .500 teams (1972, 1986), and only one losing squad (1977).  He was a member of one league champion (1973 Cadott Red Sox), three division champions (1973, 1985, 1988) 14 WBA qualifiers (1970-1974, 1977, 1979-1983, 1985, 1987, 1988), and four Final 8 clubs (1974, 1977, 1980, 1981).

A participant in six All-Star games (1973, 1980, 1981, 1983-1985), Butch was voted All-CRBL in 1974 for the Cadott Red Sox, 1979 as a Lafayette Laker, and 1987 as a Lafayette Indian.

Upon induction, the Lefty’s best all-time rankings can be found in saves (4^th place), triples (4^th place), and stolen bases (10^th place).