University of Massachusets Athletics
In Memoriam: Paul “Lefty” Wennik
November 26, 2024 | Baseball, General, Athletics Department
Massachusetts Athletics mourns the passing of former left-handed pitcher and Massachusetts Athletics Hall of Famer Paul “Lefty” Wennik.
AMHERST, Mass. – Former left-handed pitcher and Massachusetts Athletics Hall of Famer Paul "Lefty" Wennik, passed away at the age of 85. He was a member of the baseball team from 1958 to 1961, who had a career earned run average of 1.67.
As a senior in 1961, he was named All-Yankee Conference First Team and All-New England First Team, after he went 5-1 on the mound with a 1.24 ERA, which is the sixth-lowest single season ERA with a minimum of 40 innings pitched in school history. This helped UMass finish second nationally in team ERA.
Wennik had ERA's of 1.16 in 1958 and 2.65 in 1960. He also helped the team at the plate when he hit .333 in 1960 and .400 in 1961.
Following his collegiate playing days, Wennik signed with the Washington Senators organization, playing in the Appalachian League in Middlesboro, Kentucky.
After finishing his baseball career, Wennik has spent more than 35 years in the record industry. Today he is semi-retired, but still serves as a consultant.
Wennik remains an active supporter of UMass as an alum, serving as the chairman of the Annual Fund in 1992-93, an Alumni Admissions person for 13 years, and being a member of a selection committee for Chancellor.
Wennik graduated from UMass with a degree in government in 1962. He was inducted into the UMass Athletics Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2007.
As a senior in 1961, he was named All-Yankee Conference First Team and All-New England First Team, after he went 5-1 on the mound with a 1.24 ERA, which is the sixth-lowest single season ERA with a minimum of 40 innings pitched in school history. This helped UMass finish second nationally in team ERA.
Wennik had ERA's of 1.16 in 1958 and 2.65 in 1960. He also helped the team at the plate when he hit .333 in 1960 and .400 in 1961.
Following his collegiate playing days, Wennik signed with the Washington Senators organization, playing in the Appalachian League in Middlesboro, Kentucky.
After finishing his baseball career, Wennik has spent more than 35 years in the record industry. Today he is semi-retired, but still serves as a consultant.
Wennik remains an active supporter of UMass as an alum, serving as the chairman of the Annual Fund in 1992-93, an Alumni Admissions person for 13 years, and being a member of a selection committee for Chancellor.
Wennik graduated from UMass with a degree in government in 1962. He was inducted into the UMass Athletics Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2007.
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