Dec. 16, 2010
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Calvin "Cal" Emery, a legendary Nittany Lion and former College World Series Most Valuable Player, passed away on November 28, 2010 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was 73.
A standout on the diamond, Emery excelled for the Penn State baseball team during his two seasons with the squad. From 1957-58, he won 18 games, which still stands as the ninth most in program history.
Emery made his mark on the program with an exceptional 1957 campaign. During the year, he helped Penn State post a 22-2 record and advance to the College World Series. Emery teamed with fellow ace Ed Drapcho to record each of the team's 22 victories that season.
While leading the team to the postseason, Emery went 10-1 with 96 strikeouts. His 10 wins and eight complete games are tied for the third-most in a single season in program history. He also limited opposing offenses to just 4.85 hits per nine innings, which is still the fifth lowest rate by a Nittany Lion.
Dominant throughout the season, he was even stronger in the playoffs. Against the nation's toughest competition in Omaha, Nebraska, Emery was simply sensational in the College World Series. In his first start, he tossed a three-hitter against Texas before scattering three more hits against California, who eventually claimed the National Championship.
For his efforts during the playoffs, Emery became the first and only Nittany Lion to be named the College World Series Most Valuable Player.
After winning eight more games the following year for Penn State, Emery signed a free agent contract with the Philadelphia Phillies and embarked on a 14-year professional career. Spending most of his time in Triple-A, he did appear in 16 games for the Phillies in 1963.
Following his playing days, he became a highly-respected manager and served in the Philadelphia and Cleveland farm systems. Eventually, he won a league championship in both organizations, including the Reading Phillies' first-ever title in 1973. He was also selected as the Carolina League Manager of the Year in 1975 while guiding Rocky Mount to the championship.
A baseball man through-and-through, Emery also served as the hitting coach for the Chicago White Sox in 1988 before turning his focus to scouting.
Cal Emery is survived by his wife, Mary, three children, Douglas, Debbie, and Joshua, and eight grandchildren.