Princeton University
Drew Stratton ’87 has been named the Robert L. Peters’ 42 Award winner, the Princeton Baseball team has announced.
The Peters’ Award is awarded annually at the Reunions alumni baseball game to an alumnus who has made significant contributions to the game of baseball at any level following his graduation or having played baseball at Princeton, has distinguished himself after graduation in his chosen field of endeavor. Established by the Friends of Princeton Baseball in 1984 in honor of Bob Peters, who has provided inspiration to generations of Princeton student-athletes through his example as a gentleman, leader, patriot and competitor.
Stratton was a two-time all-conference selection who hit 21 home runs during his time with Princeton while recording 142 hits, 51 extra base hits and 238 total bases. He also helped the Tigers to the 1985 EIBL Championship. Following the 1986 season, Stratton was selected in the eighth round of the MLB Draft by the Oakland A’s where he played three seasons in the minors.
Stratton is now a managing partner for Larson, Potter, Stratton and Cote Financial where He has been providing comprehensive financial planning, wealth management, and retirement services since 1994.
Craig Peters ’85 and Chip Newton ’86 have shared a few stories on why Stratton should be the recipient of the Peters’ Award.
Craig Peters’ 85
At the crack of the bat, I knew the ball was in the right-center gap. I had the unique view as the catcher and through a complex series of calculations using advanced mathematics and geometry (even as a History major). I knew the score was about to be tied. This wasn’t just a game, this was the league championship tiebreaker at Yale Stadium against Harvard with the winner being crowned EIBL champions – a title Princeton hadn’t won in 33 years- and moving on to the NCAA regionals.
While we had two of the top of outfielders playing college baseball in Danny Arendas and Drew Stratton and both ran like gazelles, my read was the ball was going to land between them. I’d come to grips with the apparent fact that our 3-1 lead was gone, both baserunners were going to score, and we’d have a runner at 3rd with one out and trying to get out of the inning tied.
I watched in what felt like slow motion, but Strat didn’t give up. He continued to fly to the ball in a seemingly futile effort as my calculations still said “No Way.” At the last moment, Strat laid out completely and somehow caught the uncatchable ball and then popped up and doubled off one of the baserunners.
Inning over. Threat averted. Harvard heartbroken. Princeton alums crying, hugging us on the field after the game and the Tigers celebrating the greatest catch I’ve ever seen.
It’s simply known as The Catch. It was a great day.
Chip Newton ’86
Drew Stratton always had the biggest heart on our 1985 EIBL Championship team and that has continued to this day. While only a sophomore during that magical season, his heart, determination, and infectious tenacity drove each of us to play better but more importantly to play for each other. Whether it was his blistering high fives or his chest bumps and forearm shivers (before those were a thing), you knew Strat cared deeply about every one of us and was giving it his all which made us all want to do even more. Even in the depth of a very rare slump, Drew was always up, always on, always there.
More importantly, those amazing qualities have continued to this day. It was Drew that made sure that Coach O’Connell had enough insurance to cover unexpected bills in his retirement. It was Drew that dropped everything on a family vacation to drive 300 miles when he got the phone call that one of our teammates was diagnosed with terminal cancer. It was Drew who had all the ideas for our team to get together every year since graduation. Drew is the heartbeat and the heart of every community he is a part of, and that has made all of our lives richer and more complete.
I cannot think of a more worthy recipient or better embodiment of the spirit of the Peters Award.
