Doug Cinnella accepting his award from SHU Athletic Director Pat Lyons
On June 1, 2017 Seton Hall University proudly welcomed Professional Baseball Instruction owner Doug Cinnella into its Athletic Hall of Fame.
Doug was among four individuals as well as the entire 1952-53 basketball team who were honored in a ceremony at the Maplewood Country Club.
As all of you can attest, tonight is truly a celebration of unity,” Cinnella said. “No one can do it alone. The support provided by those around us is the real celebration. The patience, the guidance and the understanding provided by those closest to us is immeasurable and is really what is on display here tonight. As I stand up here tonight, many others stand up here with me too.
Doug Cinnella shares a story about how Seton Hall got their name as the Pirates #HALLin pic.twitter.com/IuuISpEFdp
— Seton Hall Athletics (@SHUAthletics) June 2, 2017
A native of Paramus, NJ and a graduate of Paramus High School, Doug was a four-year starting pitcher for the Pirates under the great Mike Sheppard, Sr. He recorded 24 collegiate wins, while striking out 210 batters, and throwing 11 complete games.
PBI’s Doug Cinnella and longtime SHU baseball coach Mike Sheppard Sr.
While just a freshman, Doug tied a school record with 17 strikeouts in a game ( a school record that still stands) and as a sophomore was voted the New Jersey Collegiate Baseball Association Pitcher of the Year, helping the Pirates reach the NCAA Tournament.
After his Seton Hall career, Doug was selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the fourth round of the 1986 MLB Draft, and he went on to pitch in Orioles, Expos and Mets minor league organizations. He was also in major league spring training camp with the Yankees in 1995.
In his first season as a professional, Doug threw two no-hitters and was named the NY-Penn League’s Most Valuable Player that year. In fact, Doug is the only pitcher in the history of professional baseball to record his first two career victories via no-hitters.
