Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted's Noah Bush was named the 2021 Minnesota Mr. Baseball at an awards banquet in June. Photo courtesy of Breakdown Sports Media
There was no slowing down Noah Bush in 2021.
The Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted senior led his team in hits (39), RBIs (43) and home runs (10). From the mound, the right-hander held opponents quiet, finishing with a 6-0 record while striking out 117 batters and holding a 1.24 ERA on the season.
Noah Bush (left) and 2021 Ms. Softball winner Brynn Hostettler received the awards from the Minnesota All Sports Alliance at a June banquet. Photo courtesy of the Minnesota All Sports Alliance
Bush's performances led HLWW to a 16-9 record and a deep run in the Class 2A, Section 5 playoffs, falling only to Class 2A champion Glencoe-Silver Lake, which beat HLWW twice, including in the section elimination bracket final, en route to its state tournament run.
That standout season earned Bush the 2021 Minnesota Mr. Baseball Award, which is given by the Minnesota All Sports Alliance (MASA) to the best senior player in the state and chosen by a panel of high school and college coaches, as well as pro scouts. Recipients of the award demonstrate contributions throughout the season and athletic and character attributes.
MASA, which was formerly the Minnesota Minute Men, handed out the award at a banquet at Target Field on June 20.
Bush will continue his baseball career at Iowa Western Community College next season.
MASA banquet emcee Mike Max and 2021 Lifetime Achievement Baseball Coaches Award winner Tink Larson. Photo courtesy of MASA
Bush was one of seven finalists for the Mr. Baseball Award along with Lincoln Berry (Eagan), Trenton Burkhalter (Forest Lake), Ben North (East Ridge), Tucker Novotny (Park of Cottage Grove), Will Rogers (Mounds View) and Ero Wallin (Silver Bay).
The Minnesota All Sports Alliance also gave former Waseca coach Tink Larson the 2021 Lifetime Achievement Baseball Coaches Award.
Find a list of previous Mr. Baseball Award winners in the table below.
YEAR | PLAYER | SCHOOL | POS. |
---|---|---|---|
2022 | Maddox Mihalakis | Hopkins | INF |
2021 | Noah Bush | Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted | P/INF |
2019 | Drew Gilbert | Stillwater | P/OF |
2018 | Seth Halvorsen | Heritage Christian | P/SS |
2017 | Sam Carlson | Burnsville | P |
2016 | Matt Wallner | Forest Lake | P |
2015 | Eddie Estrada | Litchfield | SS |
2014 | Brad Mathiowetz | Rochester Mayo | C |
2013 | Logan Shore | Coon Rapids | P |
2012 | Mitch Brown | Rochester Century | P |
2011 | Austin Malinowski | Centennial | P |
2010 | Chris Anderson | Centennial | P |