CWU Athletics hall of famer named honorary coach for MLB All-Star Game

Central Washington University Athletics Hall of Famer Bill North has been selected as an honorary coach for the upcoming Major League Baseball All-Star Game in Seattle.

North will join current Seattle Mariners manager Scott Servais on American League manager Dusty Baker's coaching staff for the July 11 Midsummer Classic at T-Mobile Park.

The 1987 CWU Hall of Fame inductee was a 12th round draft pick out of CWU in the 1969 MLB Draft. During his time at Central, North was an honorable mention NAIA All-American in 1968 and first team All-American in 1969. Among his career highlights, he helped lead CWU to a third-place finish in 1968 NAIA College World Series.

He played three years for CWU, batting .443 during his final season. He posted a career average of .364, and set single-season and career marks for stolen bases with 29 and 50.

North went on to play in the majors from 1971-81 for the Chicago Cubs, Oakland Athletics, Los Angeles Dodgers, and San Francisco Giants, winning a World Series with the A's in 1974. North had 395 career stolen base and led MLB with 75 in 1976. He also led the American League with 54 stolen bases in 1974.

After he retired, North returned to Seattle, where he raised his family and remained active in local youth baseball, including helping assure opportunities and access to baseball and softball for under-represented kids. He is the co-founder of the Seattle Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) League.