A stellar amateur baseball pitcher from 1926 through 1932, he capped a fine career while starring at the University of Michigan. During a university tour of Japan, he won 13 games in 14 starts. In 1932 he pitched in the amateur game at the Municipal Stadium which drew 60,000 spectators. A decision to begin work toward his life’s profession in law precluded accepting professional contracts for the Indians, Red Sox and Cardinals.