2020 Ring of Honor Class Finally Has Its Day

A trio of Mississippi State baseball legends returned to Starkville as part of the second class inducted into the Ron Polk Ring of Honor in Adkerson Plaza at Dudy Noble Field on Saturday (March 27).

Bestowed the honor were State's career leader in strikeouts, Eric DuBose, the first head coach to lead the program to the College World Series, Paul Gregory, and one of the best two-way players in college baseball history, Bobby Thigpen.

Thigpen had a special impact on MSU during his time as a Bulldog, with his first and last career at-bats at Dudy Noble Field being grand slams. Thigpen helped the Bulldogs to the College World Series as an outfielder and pitcher, before making his mark in major league baseball on the mound. His nine-year professional career included the 1990 Rolaids Relief Pitcher of the Year award after he posted a then-MLB record 57 saves, a mark which stood for 18 seasons.

"There is no other award I could get at this point [that could be better]," said Thigpen. "My mom was here. My family was here. My brother and my sister. This was an honor that exceeds anything I've ever done individually. I look at this from the view of the fans, school, and coach Polk. I'm eternally grateful for the school giving me the opportunity to come here and play and will forever be a Mississippi State Bulldog."

After leading the program in strikeouts all three years (1995-97), Dubose had a successful career in the big leagues as a Baltimore Oriole. The dominating left-hand pitcher was a Freshman All-American and followed that with a pair of All-America accolades and spent the summer of 1996 with USA Baseball.

"It's overwhelming to have the honor to be inducted in the second class with Bobby Thigpen and Paul Gregory," said Dubose. "I really lived a fairytale for my three years at Mississippi State. Getting to play here, I had a great career and the story book ending of my last game being pitched here in 1997 against Washington to go to the College World Series and getting the dog pile on the mound. It was a perfect ending for me in my three years."

Dubose, the first of the 90's Bulldogs inducted, joked that it was nice to add a little 90's flavor to the Ring of Honor.

"It was like the '85 Ring of Honor [the first year], so it's good to bring a little 90's taste into the ring," said DuBose. "It's a great accomplishment and something I'm very honored to be a part of."

Joining them for the ceremony were two members of the inaugural 2019 class and Thigpen's teammates, Jeff Brantley and Will Clark. The duo made the trip back to their old stomping grounds with nothing but respect and congratulations for their brothers in the game.

The group was also able to enjoy the series against No. 1 Arkansas surrounded by their friends and family in the greatest ballpark in college baseball. The inductees shared their experience of being back in The New Dude and just what it means to them to see the progress the program and facility, specifically the Left Field Lounge, has made.

"There are some new structures, and we have a little [different] Left Field Lounge with the condos, but when you get down to the nuts and bolts of it, nothing has changed," said Dubose. "It's all about the fans. The fans are what make [Dudy Noble Field]. If you take the fans out, then you've just got a couple more buildings out there. The fans are what make this place so special."

While Dudy Noble has changed since this group last took the field, they are humbled by their place in Diamond Dawg history, and continue to represent the M-over-S with passion, pride, and everything that is great about Mississippi State baseball.

Mississippi State University Athletics

2020 Ring of Honor Class Finally Has Its Day

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