With the 10th annual alumni baseball game set for 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, it’s important to know the players and the teams they represent. Below is a list of somewhat well-known Mississippi State baseball players from the past along with some of their achievements. Representing the Maroon team will be players whose MSU careers were before 1983 or after 1997. The White team consists of players in the program between those years. With 155 players on the rosters combined–including some in their 80s–not everyone will play.
Nat “Buck” Showalter–OF (1977)–Batted a league-high .459 average in his only year at Mississippi State–Anchored on ESPN’s “Baseball Tonight”–managed the Yankees and Diamondbacks and has recently been named the Rangers’ manager.
Boo Ferriss–P (1941-42)–after stint in the military, compiled a 65-30 career record in his six years with the Red Sox and pitched a World Series game shutout in 1946–coached Delta State until 1988 when the stadium was named after him.
Van Johnson–P (1995-98)–registered more saves than any other pitcher in MSU history.
Kevin Donovan–P (1996-2000)–made the most mound appearances of anyone in MSU history.
Barry Patton–C (1995-98)– caught for the 1998 MSU World Series team.
Rafael Palmeiro–OF/1B (1983-85)–named an All-American three times at MSU– recently finished his 17th MLB season having played for the Cubs, Orioles and Rangers.
Jeff Brantley–P (1982-85)– posted a 45-12 record at MSU earning All-American honors in the process–served primarily as a reliever throughout his 14-year MLB career.
Will Clark–1B (1983-85)–won the Golden Spikes Award in 1985 (recognizing him as the country’s top collegiate player)–played on the 1984 U.S. Olympic team–batted a career .303 average in the Majors during his 16-year career.
Bobby Thigpen–OF/P (1984-85)–Spent nine seasons in the MLB representing the White Sox for seven of them–finished his career with an overall 3.43 ERA.