Cyclone Legend Mike Busch: Iowa Time Machine July 7, 1968

Iowa Time Machine ⏰: On July 7, 1968, Cyclone baseball and football standout Mike Busch was born in Davenport. The Donahue, Iowa, native earned All-American honors on the gridiron while also shining for the Cyclones on the baseball diamond before a MLB career.

Busch quickly proved a four-sport star at North Scott High School. An All-State selection in football and an honorable mention All-State selection in baseball, Busch also played basketball and qualified for the state track meet in discus. Busch, a die-hard Hawkeye fan, opted to head to Iowa State when Iowa didn’t offer him a scholarship.

A three-year starter at tight end for the Cyclones from 1986 to 1989, Busch racked up 78 receptions, 1,061 yards, and four touchdowns. An All-Big Eight selection in 1988 and 1989, he also garnered First-Team All-American honors in his senior year. Starting out as a pitcher for the Cyclones, Coach Bobby Randall convinced Busch to move to first base. A right-handed power hitter, Busch showed pop at the plate while hitting .401 with 14 home runs and 56 runs batted in as a junior. In his senior season, Busch gained All-America honors and was named Big Eight Athlete of the Year.

Selected in the fourth round of the 1990 MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers, Busch also saw his name called by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the tenth round of the NFL Draft. Busch chose baseball and started to work his way toward the majors. Playing for the Dodgers from 1995-1996, Busch recorded a career .213 batting average, hit ten home runs, and batted in 28 runs.  #IowaOTD #IowaHistoryDaily #IowaHistoryCalendar