The SC4 baseball program was nationally respected and turned out many outstanding collegiates and professional players in the 1970s.

One of the best Skippers according to former coach Dick Groch was Bill Nahorodny.

Nahorodny, a talented catcher, led the Skippers to Junior College World Series in Grand Junction, CO. In addition to the many postseason honors, he landed a spot on the Junior College All-American Team.

“Most importantly, I had the great honor of playing for Mr. Dick Groch at SC4,” Nahorodny said. “He found me in Hamtramck Michigan and gave me a chance to play for him and our great school.

“Without SC4 and coach Groch I would not have the life I have today. Thank you all so much.”

The Philadelphia Phillies liked what they saw in Nahorodny and selected him in the sixth round of the Major League draft. He was the 1978 Topps Rookie Catcher of the Year.

Nahorodny played nine years in the Major League with the Phillies, Chicago White Sox, Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers and Seattle Mariners.

Here are few of his highlights:

• As a member of the Braves, Nahorodny broke up Steve Carlton’s no-hit bid with a pinch-hit single in the eighth inning May 5, 1980, at Veteran’s Stadium.
• The White Sox battered Nolan Ryan for 10 hits, including a two-run homer from Nahorodny in a 9-6 victory over the Angels before 13,676 fans at Comiskey Park.
• In 1980, he delivered the game-winning hit in the ninth inning off Pirates’ reliever Kent Tekulve.

During his prep career at Hamtramck, Nahorodny was a four-year varsity player and earned all-conference honors. He also excelled in basketball, playing three years on the varsity. He was a two-time team captain and earned second-team all-state honors as a junior.