Dubose, Gregory, Thigpen inducted into Polk Ring of Honor at ceremony
Two former Mississippi State baseball players who made their marks on the mound and the coach that took the Bulldogs to their first College World Series were honored at Dudy Noble Field Saturday morning.
Eric Dubose, the late Paul E. Gregory and Bobby Thigpen were inducted into the Ron Polk Ring of Honor during a ceremony held at the Adkerson Plaza.
“We recognized a Hall of Fame coach and two of the most talented arms In Mississippi State history,” MSU Athletic Director John Cohen said. “The most significant thing I can say about these three is that they all set the stage for the future. Bobby Thigpen set the standard for Bulldog closers who came after as did Eric Dubose with dominant left-handed pitchers. Coach Gregory set a standard for championship baseball here at Mississippi State.”
Dubose, Gregory and Thigpen are a part of the 2020 class, but the recognition was postponed last year due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
After remarks by radio broadcaster Jim Ellis, the three inductees were awarded picture frames recognizing the induction. Beau Gregory, Paul Gregory's son, accepted for his father.
During a career that spanned from 1995-97 with the Bulldogs, Dubose struck out 428 batters and won 27 games. Gregory won 328 games at State and was selected Southeastern Conference Coach of the
Year four times. Thigpen had seven saves, all during the College World Series season of 1985, which became the single-season record at the time.
“We are honoring legends here at Mississippi State,” MSU President Mark Keenum said.
Dubose once held the single-season record at State with 174 strikeouts set in 1996. He was a Freshman All-american in 1995 and was also an All-american as a sophomore and junior.
The two-time All-southeastern Conference performer, including a first-team honor in 1996, said “it's overwhelming to be inducted in the second class with Thigpen and Paul Gregory. The people here have done a fabulous job of laying this out and just being a part of the Mississippi State Ron Polk Ring of Honor is a great accomplishment.”
Along with leading the Bulldogs to the College World Series for the first time in 1971, Gregory coached them to four Southeastern Conference titles. He is a Mississippi Sports, Mississippi State University Sports and American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame inductee.
“We have spent a considerable amount of time discussing the impact that these individuals have made on the MSU baseball brand,” Ron Polk Ring of Honor selection committee chairman Saunders Ramsey said of the latest class. “I think that we can all agree that our brand is second to none and those being recognized today played an integral part in our continued success.”
There will be another ceremony in May to recognize the 2021 Polk Ring of Honor class.
Thigpen was a Bulldog for two seasons in 1984 and 1985. He was mostly an outfielder at the start of his career, but proved to become a very valuable relief pitcher. He took the mound from his right field position 29 times.
During his MSU career,
Thigpen drove in 101 runs and hit seven home runs offensively to go along with his seven saves and one victory as a pitcher.
“This is an honor that supersedes anything I've ever done individually,” Thigpen said of being inducted into the Polk Ring of Honor. “I look at this from the fans, to the school, (and) to coach Polk. I'm eternally grateful for the school for the chance to come here to play. I will forever be a Mississippi State Bulldog.”