Greg Hansen's picks for Mount Rushmore of Arizona baseball | Greg Hansen

Greg Hansen’s Mount Rushmore of Arizona baseball includes Eddie Leon, Terry Francona, Ron Hassey and Hank Leiber.

Leon was a Tucson High School graduate who played at Arizona from 1965 through 1967. He was a two-time first-team All-American, led the nation in RBIs in 1966 and helped the Wildcats reach the 1965 College World Series. He later played nine seasons in the major leagues, including five as a starting shortstop.

Leiber was Arizona’s first major baseball star. He played for the Wildcats from 1929 to 1931 before signing with the New York Giants. He later returned to Tucson, finished his degree and became involved with the Tucson Cowboys and the Tucson Conquistadores.

Hassey was a key player on Arizona’s 1976 national championship team. He set school records with 86 RBIs in that season and 235 RBIs for his career, then played 14 major league seasons and appeared in three World Series.

Francona hit .401 during Arizona’s 1980 national championship season and was named the national player of the year. Hansen noted that Kenny Lofton and Trevor Hoffman, two of Arizona’s best known baseball alumni, were not included. Lofton played in only two Arizona baseball games, while Hoffman changed from an infielder to a pitcher early in his professional career.