Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 2008
- Class:
- 1985
One of the greatest athletes ever to wear the Maroon and White, Rafael Palmeiro starred on the baseball diamond from 1983-85.
Palmeiro started on three NCAA Tournament squads during his time in Starkville, including the legendary 1985 season that included an SEC Championship and a trip to the College World Series.
He batted .406 and was named to the All-SEC Tournament Team as a freshman in 1983 before a breakout sophomore campaign. In 1984, Palmeiro became the first player in SEC history to achieve the Triple Crown – leading the conference in batting average (.415), home runs (29) and RBIs (94). It was a feat that would not be replicated until fellow Bulldog Brent Rooker did so in 2017. Palmeiro also broke program records with 87 runs scored and 209 total bases in 1984.
Alongside teammate Will Clark, Palmeiro was one half of the “Thunder and Lightning” duo that took college baseball by storm in 1985. The Bulldogs put together a record of 50-15 and won both the SEC regular season and tournament championships en route to a College World Series appearance. He helped lead State to the semifinal round, the best finish in program history.
Palmeiro totaled 67 home runs during his three seasons in the M over S, which were both Mississippi State and SEC records. He was drafted 22nd overall in 1985 by the Chicago Cubs.
During his time in the pros, Palmeiro was named a four-time All-Star, three-time Golden Glove selection and a Silver Slugger twice. He is one of only four players in baseball history with more than 500 home runs and 3,000 hits.
The indoor baseball facility at Mississippi State is named in Palmeiro’s honor. He was inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2009 and the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in 2012. He was honored with a statue in front of the newly built Dudy Noble Field, Polk-DeMent Stadium alongside Will Clark.
