| Year: | 2015 |
| Team: | Baseball |
In didn’t take long for George “Buzzy” Borden to make a name for himself as a pitcher on the Suffolk University baseball team. During his first varsity start as a wide-eyed freshman, the clever right-hander led his team to an unforgettable victory by throwing a no-hitter.
That was the beginning to a glorious four-year career, where Borden established a school-record for wins, going 17-9 from 1966-69. In a school-record 19 complete games, he posted 235 strikeouts, a mark good enough for second-most on the Rams’ all-time list
(Ron Corbett holds the top spot with 254).
During his maiden semester on the mound, Borden appeared in 10 games, starting and completing nine of them and producing a 6-3 record. His nine complete contests are tied for second (with Max Nunez) in Suffolk’s single-season record books.
As a sophomore, he showcased his commanding control by notching a 1.40 ERA, fourth best in a single season on the mound for the Beacon Hill nine. He would frustrate batters and have them spinning in circles by the mere snap of his wrist, instead of the drive of his arm.
In his senior campaign, Borden elevated his game in splendid fashion by helping the Rams to a 12-5 season, including big wins over some of the finest teams in New England, including Assumption, Bates, Bentley, Brandeis, Hartford and Worcester Tech. He was handed the ball in every big game and he responded each time with poise, spirit and confidence.
One of Borden’s key attributes was his intelligence; he understood the concepts of the pitching game. An average-size hurler (5-10), he would beat teams with smarts, not power. He could direct his various pitches to all areas of the strike zone with a high level of accuracy and consistency.
“There is a difference between pitchers and throwers,” said George Doucet, Borden’s coach at the time and a 2007 Athletic Hall of Fame inductee. “I had some great throwers over the years, but Buzzy Borden was the best pitcher I’ve ever coached.”
Borden coached baseball at the youth level in Tyngsboro for 12 years. He and his wife, Sandy Borden, live in Shirley. Now retired after working 40 years for Harvey Building Products, he keeps active by playing golf, fishing and riding his motorcycle.