Top 10 Athletes in Defiance County History
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The following is a list of the ten best athletes in Defiance County history. This list only takes into account post-high school accomplishments.
10. Justin Hancock
Defiance graduate Justin Hancock ascended to the pros after just two years at community college. Hancock made his minor league debut in 2011 before moving up to Triple-A in 2015. Hancock made his major league debut for the Chicago Cubs in 2018 where he appeared in ten games and had a 1.46 ERA. Hancock then played one season in Japan for the Nippon-Ham Fighters.
9. Tom Ward
Tom Ward was a stout middle linebacker for the Toledo Rockets football teams of the early 2000’s. The Defiance graduate was First Team All-MAC in 2002, he was also the team MVP. He is the only Rocket this century to have 22 tackles in a game or 180 tackles in a season. Ward helped the Rockets win a MAC title in 2001 and the Motor City Bowl. Ward is a member of the Toledo Rocket Hall of Fame
8. Chad Reineke
Ayersville graduate Chad Reineke played for three teams in the Major Leagues. After playing in the minors since 2004, Reineke made his major league debut in 2008 for the Padres where he has a record of 2-1. In 2009 he made one appearance for the Oakland Athletics and in 2011 he played in two games for the Cincinnati Reds. Reineke played in the minors until 2014.
7. Gene Derricotte
Defiance graduate Gene Derricotte was one of the best college football players in the World War II era. As a freshman in 1944, Derricotte led the Michigan Wolverines in total offense before being drafted as a Tuskegee Airman. Upon his return, Derricotte set Michigan records in single season interceptions and punt returns for touchdowns in a career. Derricotte helped Michigan win a Rose Bowl and National Title and is a member of the University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor.
6. Bruce Berenyi
Fairview graduate Bruce Berenyi was drafted by the Detroit Tigers while playing JUCO ball but declined to sign. A year later, he was drafted by the Reds while at NW Missouri State and signed as the third overall pick in the secondary draft. Berenyi started playing in the minors in 1976 and by 1980 had made his major league debut for Cincinnati. Berenyi played for the Reds until he was traded to the Mets in the middle of the 1984 season. Berenyi bounced back and forth between the majors and Triple-A until his retirement following the 1986 season.
5. Jon Niese
Defiance graduate Jon Niese went straight to the pros out of high school, making his rookie league debut in 2005. Niese quickly rose through the ranks and made his major league debut for the Mets in 2008. Niese made 211 major league appearances from 2008-2016 for both the Mets and the Pirates.
4. Don Miller
One of Notre Dame’s famed and dreaded four horsemen was Defiance graduate Don Miller. He was a two-time All-American in 1923 and 1924, helping lead the Fighting Irish to a national title his senior season. He then played one season in the NFL for the Providence Steamrollers. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1970.
3. Chad Billingsley
Following an All-American high school career, Defiance graduate Chad Billingsley had a quick rise to the majors. After starting rookie ball in 2003, Billingsley climbed his way to the majors by 2006. He then played for the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2006 to 2013, making the All Star team in 2009. He then played one season for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2015 before retiring.
2. Jim Jurcevich
Ayersville graduate Jim Jurcevich is one of the best NWO runners to ever lace up a pair of running shoes. While at Michigan State, Jurcevich won the 1999 Big Ten Indoor championship in the 5000m, he also was a three time All-American on the track. Jurcevich twice competed at the USA championships in the 10k, finishing 6th in 2000 and 14th in 2001. Jurcevich has the third fast 10k in NWO history and 6th fastest 5k and 3k.
1. Ned Garver
From the small, now closed, high school of Ney, Ned Garver made a rapid climb to the majors in an era of only sixteen major league teams. After playing in the minors from 1944-1947, Garver made his debut with the St. Louis Browns in 1948. Garver played for the Browns until 1952, being named to the All Star team in 1951. Towards the end of the 1952 campaign Garver was traded to the Tigers and played in Detroit until 1956. Garver then played for the Athletics from 1957 to 1960 and with the Angels in 1961. Over his Major League career, Garver had 129 wins, an ERA of 3.73 nearl 2,500 inning pitched.