Tom Pagnozzi

Inducted Class of 1999

Tom Pagnozzi participated in Little League and American Legion baseball programs as a youngster. He graduated in 1980 from Rincon High School where he lettered in baseball for three years. He batted .328 in 1978, .382 in 1979 and .548 in 1980. In 1980 he earned All-City selection and Arizona Super Team selection and was one of five players selected for Player of the Year. He set a Rincon record for batting average (.548) in his senior year.

While attending Central Arizona Junior College in 1981, he batted .456, setting a single-season record for the school. He was an All-Conference choice and in 1982 he batted .454. He established Central Arizona records for hits, doubles, runs and total bases and was an Honorable Mention All-American.

He signed with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1982 and became a St. Louis Cardinal in the 1983 free agent draft. He was starting catcher for the Cardinals in 1990 and won his first Rawlings Golf Glove Award in 1993. He continued as starting catcher for the next seven years. Pagnozzi also served as Cardinal Player Representative. He has served as honorary chairperson for the Leukemia Society and contributes regularly to the Rincon High School baseball program.