Gator Baseball Players In The MLB Playoffs
Tuesday, October 6, 2015 | Baseball
GAINESVILLE, Fla. - The University of Florida baseball program will be represented in the 2015 Major League Baseball Playoffs, as two former Gators helped their teams reach the postseason. David Ross (1998) of the Chicago Cubs and Preston Tucker (2009-12) of the Houston Astros will be pursuing a World Series title.
Ross and the Cubs open postseason play on Wednesday against the host Pittsburgh Pirates in the National League Wild Card Game. He had a .176 batting average in 72 games this season, with 20 walks, nine RBI, nine doubles, six runs and one homer. Ross batted .332 with 69 RBI, 21 doubles and 19 round-trippers in helping the Gators to the 1998 SEC Championship and a berth at that season's College World Series. In 2013, he joined six other former Gator players who have earned World Series rings – David Eckstein (2002, 2006), Witt “Lefty” Guise (1940), Steve Lombardozzi (1987), Randy O'Neal (1984), Lance Richbourg (1924) and Al Rosen (1948).
Tucker and the Astros open postseason play on Tuesday against the New York Yankees in American League Wild Card Game. Called up this season, he batted .243 in 98 games, with 35 runs, 33 RBI, 19 doubles and 13 round-trippers. Chosen by Houston in the seventh round of the 2012 MLB Draft with the 219th selection, Tucker departed Gainesville as the school's all-time leader in games played (265), games started (259), total bases (596), at bats (1,035), hits (341), RBI (258) and doubles (70). He helped the Gators to three consecutive NCAA College World Series appearances (2010-12) and back-to-back SEC Championships (2010-11). The Tampa native was an All-American in 2011 and 2012 and was a three-time All-SEC selection, earning first-team accolades in 2011 and 2012 after being a second-team pick in 2010.
Florida will begin fall practice next Tuesday, Oct. 13, at McKethan Stadium and will open its 2016 campaign on Feb. 19 versus Florida Gulf Coast. For all of the latest information on Florida baseball, log on to GatorZone or follow the team's Twitter account @GatorsBB.
Season tickets for the 2016 Gator Baseball season went on sale Thursday, Sept. 17. Season tickets can be purchased online through GatorZone or by calling the Gator Ticket Office at 1-800-34-GATOR from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The deadline to renew season tickets is Wednesday, Dec. 9, at 5 p.m.
