Crystl Bustos Named 2008 USA Softball Player of the Year

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - After a stellar 2008 season which included her retirement, three-time Olympian Crystl Bustos (Canyon Country, Calif.) was named the 2008 USA Softball Player of the Year by the Amateur Softball Association. Bustos leaves behind a legacy not only as the most powerful hitter in the game, but also as a leader on and off the field.

“It’s an honor to be named the USA Softball Player of the Year as I was surrounded by such an amazing group of athletes daily throughout this past year,” said Bustos. “Although the outcome of the gold medal game wasn’t what we would have liked, I am so thankful for being able to represent my country for so many years.”

Bustos was stellar throughout the 2008 Olympic Games, including coming out strong in the semi-final and gold medal game. In the semifinal match-up, Bustos blasted a three-run home run against Japanese pitching ace Yukiko Ueno in the top of the ninth inning giving the U.S. the 4-1 victory. Bustos also scored the only U.S. run in the gold medal game with a solo home run again off of Ueno. Her next at bat was an intentional walk, the third of the Games for her.

Bustos wrapped up the Beijing Games hitting .500 (11-for-22) with a team-high six home runs and 10 RBI. She also broke two of her own records as well as tied one. She broke the record of most home runs hit (5) in an Olympic Games with six and broke her Olympic slugging percentage of .923 from 2004 hitting 1.318 in 2008. She recorded 12 runs as the U.S. outscored opponents 58-5, while tying her own RBI Olympic record with 10 from 2004.

She finishes her Olympic career with four records including the career home run Olympic record with 14 from 2000, 2004 and 2008.

Bustos retired her cleats after the 3-1 loss on home plate of the Fengtai Stadium and will forever be remembered and appreciated by the ASA and fans across the world.