Editing John Olerud (section)

== College baseball ==
Like his father, Olerud played college baseball for Washington State in [[Pullman, Washington|Pullman]] under head coach [[Chuck Brayton|Chuck "Bobo" Brayton]]. As a true freshman in 1987, he hit .414 with five home runs and 20 [[RBIs]]. As a pitcher, he went 8–2 with a 3.00 [[Earned run average|ERA]] and was an All-American. Washington State finished third in the six-team [[1987 NCAA Division I baseball tournament#West I Regional at Stanford, CA|West I regional]] of the [[1987 NCAA Division I baseball tournament|NCAA tournament]].<ref name=oruinc>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=DydXAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hO8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=5241%2C5854810 |work=Spokesman-Review |location=(Spokane, Washington) |last=Stalwick |first=Howie |title=ORU inches by Cougars; season over|date=May 26, 1987 |page=B1}}</ref><ref name=ssocreg>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3ZQrAAAAIBAJ&sjid=8tAFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6438%2C2889460 |work=Idahonian |location=(Moscow) |title=Sun sets on Cougars in NCAA regional|date=May 26, 1987 |page=8}}</ref>

In 1988, Olerud hit .464 with 23 home runs, 81 runs batted in, 108 hits, 204 total bases, and a .876 slugging percentage. As a pitcher, he had an undefeated 15–0 season,<ref name=idstphr>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=oTMuAAAAIBAJ&sjid=3NAFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4862%2C3777165 |work=Idahonian |location=(Moscow) |title=WSU season ends step short|date=May 31, 1988 |page=10A}}</ref> with a 2.49 ERA and 113 strikeouts. He was a consensus All-American as both a first baseman and pitcher and was named the [[Baseball America College Player of the Year Award|''Baseball America'' College Player of the Year]].<ref name=sr88poy>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=qb5YAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6O8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=5717%2C1470790|work=Spokesman-Review |location=(Spokane, Washington) |last=Stalwick |first=Howie |title=Olerud named player of the year |date=June 4, 1989 |page=B1}}</ref><ref name=ihpoy>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=htgtAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0NAFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5997%2C331204 |work=Idahonian |location=(Moscow) |last=Jacobson |first=Bryan |title=Player of the year |date=June 3, 1988 |page=1B}}</ref> Washington State University again finished third in the six-team [[1988 NCAA Division I baseball tournament#West I Regional at Fresno, CA|West I regional]] of the [[1988 NCAA Division I baseball tournament|NCAA tournament]].<ref name=idstphr /><ref name=shesfrcg>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=275YAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ru8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6608%2C8573265 |work=Spokesman-Review |location=(Spokane, Washington) |last=Stalwick |first=Howie |title=Solo homer ends season for Cougars |date=May 30, 1989 |page=C1}}</ref>

Prior to his junior season in 1989, Olerud was running indoors on campus on January 11 when he collapsed; hospitalized in Pullman, he was airlifted to Spokane later in the day, accompanied by his father.<ref name=ocdwosr>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=MVtWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=vO8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=2001%2C6115619 |work=Spokesman-Review |location=(Spokane, Washington) |last=Stalwick |first=Howie |title=Olerud collapses during workout |date=January 12, 1989 |page=D1}}</ref><ref name=oisctcon>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=uZUrAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2dAFAAAAIBAJ&pg=2279%2C1486019|work=Idahonian |location=(Moscow) |last=Meehan |first=Jim |title=Olerud in stable condition; test continue|date=January 12, 1989|page=7A}}</ref><ref name=olsrtbb>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=MltWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=vO8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=1929%2C6576928 |work=Spokesman-Review |location=(Spokane, Washington) |last=Stalwick |first=Howie |title=Olerud should return to baseball |date=January 13, 1989 |page=C1}}</ref><ref name=otbihtwk>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=34RhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2dAFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4561%2C1639778|work=Idahonian |location=(Moscow) |last=Meehan |first=Jim |title=Olerud to be in hospital two weeks |date=January 13, 1989|page=7A}}</ref><ref name=stms90>{{cite news |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19900719/1082976/olerud-coping-well-with-impact-of-head-injury----blue-jay-from-bellevue-making-noise-as-a-rookie |work=Seattle Times |last=Sherwin |first=Bob |title=Olerud coping well with impact of head injury -- Blue Jay from Bellevue making noise as a rookie |date=July 19, 1990 |access-date=September 24, 2017}}</ref> He was diagnosed with a [[subarachnoid hemorrhage]], which caused bleeding into the spinal column. He remained in the hospital for about two weeks after the seizure and lost {{convert|15|lb|kg|abbr=unit|spell=}}, but was back in class by the end of January.<ref name=blnbdthm>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-05-24-sp-510-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |last=DiGiovanna |first=Mike |title=Big leagues no big deal to him |date=May 24, 1990 |access-date=September 24, 2017}}</ref> A few weeks later in Seattle, further examinations revealed a [[Cerebral aneurysm|brain aneurysm]],<ref name=sivganslg /> and he underwent surgery in late February.<ref name=blnbdthm /><ref name=osgvwll>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2KgpAAAAIBAJ&sjid=3O8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=2121%2C7482765 |work=Spokesman-Review |location=(Spokane, Washington) |last=Stalwick |first=Howie |title=Olerud surgery goes very well |date=January 28, 1989 |page=C1}}</ref><ref name=miapodf>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=05QrAAAAIBAJ&sjid=3tAFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5972%2C3196003 |work=Idahonian |location=(Moscow) |agency=Associated Press |title=Olerud doing fine |date=February 28, 1989|page=9A}}</ref> From 1989 onward, he always wore a batting helmet while on defense.<ref name="stms90" />

Olerud returned to action for the Cougars in mid-April;<ref name=blnbdthm /><ref name=owswhpl>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VZUrAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ldAFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3931%2C1881452 |work=Idahonian |location=(Moscow) |last=Meehan |first=Jim |title=Olerud will suit, will he play? |date=April 15, 1989|page=1D}}</ref><ref name=swpthrd>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=X5UrAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ldAFAAAAIBAJ&pg=2088%2C1769730 |work=Idahonian |location=(Moscow) |last=Stoffer |first=Jeff |title=Huskies sweep WSU into third |date=April 17, 1989|page=1B}}</ref><ref name=binswg>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0pJfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=-TAMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3314%2C4705933 |work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=(Idaho) |last=Barrows |first=Bob |title=Back in the swing |date=April 30, 1989 |page=1B}}</ref> he hit .359 with five home runs and 30 runs batted in during 78 plate appearances. On the mound, he posted a 3–2 record with a 6.68 ERA. He was a [[Pac-12 Conference|Pac-10]] North All-League designated hitter. The Cougars again won the Pac-10 North title, but lost their first two games of the North tournament in blustery Spokane to end their year early.<ref name=otpkpcg>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=zmRWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=WfIDAAAAIBAJ&pg=1599%2C4635660 |work=Spokesman-Review |location=(Spokane, Washington) |last=Stalwick |first=Howie |title=One-two punch KOs Cougars |date=May 19, 1989 |page=C1}}</ref><ref name=cgspckg>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=MpMrAAAAIBAJ&sjid=mdAFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6186%2C2451741 |work=Idahonian |location=(Moscow) |last=Meehan |first=Jim |title=EWU, Zags send Cougars packing |date=May 19, 1989|page=1B}}</ref>

In June, the [[1989 Toronto Blue Jays season|Toronto Blue Jays]] selected him in the third round of the [[1989 Major League Baseball draft|1989 draft]].<ref name=okdbpt>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=rFpWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0O8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=2019%2C1406887 |work=Spokesman-Review |location=(Spokane, Washington) |last=Stalwick |first=Howie |title=Olerud, Kellogg drafted by pro teams  |date=June 7, 1989 |page=D1}}</ref><ref name=itacroff>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0tctAAAAIBAJ&sjid=v9AFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4630%2C3113505 |work=Idahonian |location=(Moscow) |last=Meehan |first=Jim |title=Olerud: It'll take a 'crazy' offer |date=June 7, 1989|page=1D}}</ref> Intending to return to the Cougars for his senior season,<ref name=srshremn>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=zltWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=wu8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=2522%2C212832 |work=Spokesman-Review |location=(Spokane, Washington) |last=Bergum |first=Steve |title=Olerud says he'll remain at WSU for senior season|date=May 15, 1989 |page=C1}}</ref><ref name=ocmbck>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3YRhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=mdAFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6170%2C1820833 |work=Idahonian |location=(Moscow) |last=Meehan |first=Jim |title=Olerud's coming back |date=May 15, 1989|page=1B}}</ref><ref name=psspbl>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1dctAAAAIBAJ&sjid=v9AFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3698%2C2433603 |work=Idahonian |location=(Moscow) |last=Lewis |first=Mike |title=Olerud passes on pro ball |date=June 12, 1989|page=1B}}</ref> he again played [[Collegiate summer baseball|summer ball]] with the [[Palouse]] Empire team in the [[Alaska Baseball League|Alaska League]],<ref name=pchntagn>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=arUtAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ydAFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5105%2C531737 |work=Idahonian |location=(Moscow) |last=Pierce |first=Oliver |title=Palouse Cougars head north to Alaska again |date=June 5, 1987|page=11}}</ref><ref name=cofftorf>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1dctAAAAIBAJ&sjid=v9AFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3693%2C2434653 |work=Idahonian |location=(Moscow) |last=Lewis |first=Mike |title=Cougars off to rough 1-2 start |date=June 12, 1989|page=1B}}</ref> while the Blue Jays negotiated a contract. He told teams prior to the draft that a very large bonus would be necessary for him to forego his senior year at Washington State.<ref name=okdbpt /><ref name=itacroff /> In late August, he signed with Toronto.<ref name=sivganslg /><ref name=stms90 /><ref name=owfwbj>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=hFxWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DPADAAAAIBAJ&pg=6725%2C2720515 |work=Spokesman-Review |location=(Spokane, Washington) |last=Stalwick |first=Howie |title=Olerud will fly with Blue Jays |date=August 26, 1989 |page=B1}}</ref><ref name=thichse>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=zAcvAAAAIBAJ&sjid=7NAFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6149%2C2399725 |work=Idahonian |location=(Moscow) |title=Olerud joins Jays in thick of pennant chase |date=August 28, 1989|page=1B}}</ref>