Virginia's Robert Word Selected in 2002 Major League Baseball Draft

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June 4, 2002

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – University of Virginia baseball player Robert Word (Knoxville, Tenn./Webb School) was selected in the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft in the tenth round as the 293rd pick overall by the Florida Marlins. With his selection, Word became the 45th player from UVa selected in the MLB Draft and is the 29th player from Virginia chosen in the last 14 seasons.

Word, a third-year first baseman, started all 57 games he appeared in during the 2002 season. He finished third on the team with a .322 batting average and posted the second highest mark on the squad with 49 RBI. Word was also second on the team with 20 doubles and 127 total bases and was third on the team with 74 hits and 11 home runs. His 20 doubles is the second highest mark ever at Virginia for doubles hit in a single season and his 11 home runs is tied for 11th all-time at UVa for the most home runs in a single season. For his career, Word has started 110 of the 126 games he has appeared in and has boasted a .289 batting average with 212 total bases, 76 RBI, 55 runs and 125 hits including 34 doubles, 17 home runs and one triple.

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