Richard Hand (1986) - Hall of Fame - Brown University Athletics

Richard Hand

Induction:
1986
Class:
1977

Richard Hand '77
Hometown: Orange, NJ
Sport: Baseball
Year Inducted: 1986

At the end of Rich Hand's sophomore year he was named to the All-Ivy team, an honor that seemed to predict great things for the catcher as he started his junior season. But that particular year held only disappointment: Hand received a head injury in a collision at home plate against Army, and missed most of the season. It was all the sweeter, then, when Hand came back for his senior season and captained the team to a 19-12 record - the most victories ever compiled by a Brown team in a season up to that point. Hand came to Brown from Union High in Union, New Jersey, where he was All-State in baseball. He captained both the freshman football and freshman baseball teams at Brown. His best year, though, was his senior year, when he batted .320 and was a standout on defense. In a 7-3 win over Providence College, Hand went 3-for-3, including a home run. He again made the All-Ivy squad, and also was named to the first team of the Eastern Intercollegiate Baseball League (EIBL). His coach at Brown, Woody Woodforth, said, "Rich was one of the finest players to come to Brown. He was a real pleasure to coach." He was drafted by both the Pittsburgh Pirates and the St. Louis Cardinals, and spent two seasons playing in the Oakland A's organization after graduation. Today Hand lives in Orange, New Jersey, and is a partner in Hand & Hand Construction Co.