IUP Athletic Hall of Fame
When he graduated from IUP after a stellar career, shortstop Ed Hartman didn't hang up his spikes—he continued to play baseball, professionally, for four seasons, climbing as high as the Class AA level.
The Pittsburgh Pirates selected Hartman, a four-year letterman and three-year starter for a team then known as the Indians, in the 20th round of the 1986 major league baseball draft—only the fourth IUP product ever drafted.
Hartman, who ranks among the most lethal offensive threats in school history, wrapped up his collegiate career with a school-record .357 career batting average. Even now, 33 years after taking his last swings for the Indians, he is tied for fifth on the all-time batting average list and tied for seventh in career slugging percentage (.545).
As a senior Hartman batted .398, which ranks him in a 20th-place tie on the single-season list, and also led IUP in runs (30), hits (43), triples (4), home runs (3) and slugging percentage (.611). He was rewarded with a spot on the All-PSAC first team and was selected as an American Baseball Coaches Association all-district performer.
Hartman played for the Pirates' Bradenton and Watertown farm clubs in 1986, was named the Watertown Pirates MVP in 1987 and in 1988 led all Pirates minor leaguers in RBIs (78) while playing for Augusta and Salem. He wrapped up his career in 1989.
Hartman serves as vice president of finance for Aires, a corporate relocation company based in Pittsburgh.Â
He resides in the Pittsburgh suburb of Mount Lebanon with his wife, the former Lori Herzing, a 1987 graduate of IUP. They have three adult children: Katie, Jason and Abby.
