John Finch '45

"Johnny" Finch was a right-handed pitcher whose baby-faced image belied his poise on the mound. Attending St. Thomas on a scholarship after graduating from Christ the King School, Finch played baseball and basketball, taking the advice of Father Wilson to "stick to baseball because you are too small for football."

Father Wilson groomed Johnny to become arguably the best pitcher to ever play for the Eagles. Johnny was a high school All-American baseball player, and in 1945 was the South Texas representative in the All-American Boy's Baseball Game played in the Polo Grounds in New York City. He was on Ty Cobb's Westerners squad, playing against the Easterners coached by Babe Ruth.

Johnny played baseball and graduated from Rice University. After a long career with Exxon, he founded a career placement company with his sons. He has received many awards for his philanthropic efforts.