George Washington University Athletics
Baseball Legend Hank Bunnell to have Jersey Retired March 15
3/2/2026 11:00:00 AM | Baseball
WASHINGTON – Henry "Hank' Bunnell is set to become the first GW baseball player in program history to have their jersey retired. Bunnell's No. 18 will forever be enshrined at Tucker Field on March 15, when the Revolutionaries take on Rhode Island at 12:00 p.m.
Bunnell arrived in Foggy Bottom in the fall of 1967 after graduating from Scranton Cathedral High School. As one of the top high school prospects in eastern Pennsylvania, Bunnell was drafted by the Detroit Tigers during his senior year but ultimately decided to pursue a college education and attend GW instead of turning pro.
During his first-year season, Bunnell immediately made an impact on his collegiate squad. Despite the team finishing with a 6-13 record, Bunnell cemented himself as a standout player, finishing the season with 93 strikeouts and earning All-Southern Conference honors. During his sophomore year, Bunnell and GW saw much improved success, finishing with a 12-8 overall record and recording wins over Georgetown, West Virginia, Navy and Clemson.
Bunnell's junior season was arguably his best in the Buff & Blue. Bunnell tossed 103.1 innings, third-most for a single player in GW history. He also recorded nine wins on the year, which ranks third-most in GW history. During his junior year, Bunnell also tossed a no-hitter against the University of Scranton and became the first documented player in program history to win both games of a doubleheader. Bunnell did so against William & Mary, picking up two wins and only allowing four hits across both games. He held the Tribe scoreless in both matchups.
Bunnell capped his phenomenal playing career with another All-Southern Conference selection his senior season, garnering the honor all four years of his collegiate career. At the end of his athletic tenure, Bunnell had totaled phenomenal numbers that still hold up in GW's record book today. He started on the mound in 42 games, which ranks seventh in program history, and tallied the second-most victories ever with 30. He also holds the program record for career strikeouts with 360, leading second place by 69. Bunnell also set the program record for complete games by a wide margin with 36, more than doubling the second-place mark of 17. He holds the program benchmark in shutouts with eight, and he's ninth in winning percentage with a 30-13 overall record (.698). Over his four-year career, GW won 56 total games, meaning Bunnell was the winning pitcher in over half of his career victories as a member of the Buff & Blue.
Aside from his pitching accolades, Bunnell was also a very respectable hitter. He finished with a career average of .344 and ranks tenth in program history with seven triples. He also tallied seven home runs and 52 RBI during his playing career.
Following his senior season with GW, Bunnell continued to gain the attention of pro scouts and was ultimately selected in the third round (48th overall) of the 1971 MLB Draft by the Washington Senators. Bunnell spent two seasons in the minors, playing his first year with the Burlington Senators in 1971 and his second year with the Pittsfield Senators in 1972. With Burlington at the single-A level, Bunnell appeared in 15 total games, making 11 starts. He amassed a 4-6 record and struck 79 batters out. He finished with a solid 3.26 ERA and threw four complete games. After a stellar rookie season in pro ball, Bunnell rose to the AA level with Pittsfield in 1972. He appeared in 25 games and made nine starts during the '72 season. He recorded a 3.62 ERA and tallied 60 strikeouts.
Two of Bunnell's most impressive GW accomplishments came after his playing days were over. In 2000, Bunnell was not only named to GW's All-Century Team but was also named the program's Player of the Century from 1900-99. Two years later, Bunnell was inducted into GW's Athletics Hall of Fame in 2002. He was joined by Ray Looney ('58) as the only GW baseball players to be inducted that year. To this day, Bunnell is one of only 30 GW baseball players to be inducted into the GW Hall of Fame.
Hank Bunnell passed away in March of 2024, but his legacy lives on through his children and the lives he touched each day. His No. 18 now represents a symbol of excellence within the program and will be on display at every home game in left field at Tucker Field.
Bunnell joins GW softball alumna and Olympic legend Elana Myers-Taylor, as well as GW volleyball's Svetlana Vtyurina, as the only GW student-athletes to have their jersey numbers retired. Fellow baseball alum Sam Perlozzo will have his jersey number honored later this season on April 11.
Bunnell arrived in Foggy Bottom in the fall of 1967 after graduating from Scranton Cathedral High School. As one of the top high school prospects in eastern Pennsylvania, Bunnell was drafted by the Detroit Tigers during his senior year but ultimately decided to pursue a college education and attend GW instead of turning pro.
During his first-year season, Bunnell immediately made an impact on his collegiate squad. Despite the team finishing with a 6-13 record, Bunnell cemented himself as a standout player, finishing the season with 93 strikeouts and earning All-Southern Conference honors. During his sophomore year, Bunnell and GW saw much improved success, finishing with a 12-8 overall record and recording wins over Georgetown, West Virginia, Navy and Clemson.
Bunnell's junior season was arguably his best in the Buff & Blue. Bunnell tossed 103.1 innings, third-most for a single player in GW history. He also recorded nine wins on the year, which ranks third-most in GW history. During his junior year, Bunnell also tossed a no-hitter against the University of Scranton and became the first documented player in program history to win both games of a doubleheader. Bunnell did so against William & Mary, picking up two wins and only allowing four hits across both games. He held the Tribe scoreless in both matchups.
Bunnell capped his phenomenal playing career with another All-Southern Conference selection his senior season, garnering the honor all four years of his collegiate career. At the end of his athletic tenure, Bunnell had totaled phenomenal numbers that still hold up in GW's record book today. He started on the mound in 42 games, which ranks seventh in program history, and tallied the second-most victories ever with 30. He also holds the program record for career strikeouts with 360, leading second place by 69. Bunnell also set the program record for complete games by a wide margin with 36, more than doubling the second-place mark of 17. He holds the program benchmark in shutouts with eight, and he's ninth in winning percentage with a 30-13 overall record (.698). Over his four-year career, GW won 56 total games, meaning Bunnell was the winning pitcher in over half of his career victories as a member of the Buff & Blue.
Aside from his pitching accolades, Bunnell was also a very respectable hitter. He finished with a career average of .344 and ranks tenth in program history with seven triples. He also tallied seven home runs and 52 RBI during his playing career.
Following his senior season with GW, Bunnell continued to gain the attention of pro scouts and was ultimately selected in the third round (48th overall) of the 1971 MLB Draft by the Washington Senators. Bunnell spent two seasons in the minors, playing his first year with the Burlington Senators in 1971 and his second year with the Pittsfield Senators in 1972. With Burlington at the single-A level, Bunnell appeared in 15 total games, making 11 starts. He amassed a 4-6 record and struck 79 batters out. He finished with a solid 3.26 ERA and threw four complete games. After a stellar rookie season in pro ball, Bunnell rose to the AA level with Pittsfield in 1972. He appeared in 25 games and made nine starts during the '72 season. He recorded a 3.62 ERA and tallied 60 strikeouts.
Two of Bunnell's most impressive GW accomplishments came after his playing days were over. In 2000, Bunnell was not only named to GW's All-Century Team but was also named the program's Player of the Century from 1900-99. Two years later, Bunnell was inducted into GW's Athletics Hall of Fame in 2002. He was joined by Ray Looney ('58) as the only GW baseball players to be inducted that year. To this day, Bunnell is one of only 30 GW baseball players to be inducted into the GW Hall of Fame.
Hank Bunnell passed away in March of 2024, but his legacy lives on through his children and the lives he touched each day. His No. 18 now represents a symbol of excellence within the program and will be on display at every home game in left field at Tucker Field.
Bunnell joins GW softball alumna and Olympic legend Elana Myers-Taylor, as well as GW volleyball's Svetlana Vtyurina, as the only GW student-athletes to have their jersey numbers retired. Fellow baseball alum Sam Perlozzo will have his jersey number honored later this season on April 11.
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