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Malcom “Len” Bourdet of Fresno, CA appears on episode #46 of Hometown Heroes, debuting October 19, 2008. Serving with the 96th Infantry Division, Bourdet was a replacement at the Battle of Okinawa. Returning home after the war, he would play basketball and baseball at Fresno State, and spend several years in the minor leagues. A shortstop, he lost out by one vote for the 1952 Northern League All-Star team. Listen to the program to find out which Baseball Hall of Famer edged him out for that spot.

Like so many proteges of legendary Fresno State coach Pete Beiden, Bourdet became a successful coach as well, winning four state championships and 15 conference titles in his 31-year tenure at Fresno City College, where he coached future major leaguers like Tom Seaver, Dick Selma, Jim Maloney, and Mark Gardner, among others.
—Paul Loeffler