UNLV Athletics Hall Of Fame
Former Rebel great and current Major League slugger Ryan Ludwick played three seasons at UNLV before becoming the fourth-highest draft pick in program history (60th overall in 1999), just behind his brother, pitcher Eric Ludwick, who six years earlier was taken 50th. The Durango High School product finished his college career ranked ninth in batting average (.363) and still ranks fourth at the school with 43 homeruns. The 1997 First Team Freshman All-American was a two-time preseason All-American and postseason all-conference honoree. After overcoming various injuries, Ludwick became a starting outfielder for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2007 and remains one of the top hitters in the National League. In 2008 he played in the MLB All-Star Game and won the Silver Slugger Award after finishing fourth in the Majors with 37 homers to go with 113 runs batted in.
