David Dellucci Named 2018 SEC Baseball Legend

May 8, 2018

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. –  David Dellucci has exemplified what it means to be an Ole Miss Rebel on and off the field throughout his career in college, Major League Baseball and now as an analyst for SEC Network, and he’ll do so once again later this month at the SEC Tournament. Dellucci was selected to the 2018 SEC Baseball Legend class, becoming the third Rebel honored alongside Don Kessinger and Jake Gibbs.

The 2018 class features Dellucci, Mississippi State’s Ron Polk, Tennessee’s Alan Cockrell and Texas A&M’s Mark Ross.

Dellucci played four seasons at Ole Miss, earning two All-SEC selections and even an All-American nod. En route to his Ole Miss Athlete of the Year Award in 1995, Dellucci etched his name on the top of 10 school records, earned the SEC batting title with a .410 batting average in 62 games played, before ultimately being selected an All-American the same year. He would finish his career at Ole Miss with a .326 batting average, 247 hits, 36 home runs, and 181 runs.  Dellucci was elected into the Ole Miss “M Club” Athletic Hall of Fame in 2010 and was named as one of the 50 greatest athletes in Ole Miss history.

He was drafted in the 10th round of the 1995 MLB Draft by the Baltimore Orioles, and would go on to make his MLB debut just two years later in 1997. His 13-year major league career spanned seven teams with a .256 career batting average, 101 home runs, and almost 400 RBI. Dellucci’s professional career was almost short-lived, after suffering a wrist injury initially deemed career-ending midway through his 1999 season that saw him approaching a .400 batting average on the season. He overcame the injury and competed for nearly 10 more years, playing professional ball until 2009.

Dellucci is also heavily involved in much charity work, including Easter Seals, Special Olympics, Children with AIDS, and Make a Wish. Dellucci is a current baseball analyst for SEC Network.

This marks the seventh consecutive year that the SEC has recognized a class of baseball legends. Kessinger was honored in the 2017 class, while Gibbs earned SEC legend status in 2014.

Each legend will be recognized individually throughout the two quarterfinal matchups on Friday and will have on-field recognition and an awards presentation by Commissioner Sankey on Saturday, May 26 during the semifinals of the SEC Tournament. Fans will have an opportunity for autographs and photos with the honorees at the AT&T Legends Pavilion immediately following. Several legends will also participate in the annual SEC Youth Clinic on Friday morning.

For all Ole Miss Baseball news and information, visit the official athletics site OleMissSports.com. For more social media updates, follow the Rebels on Twitter at @OleMissBSB, on Facebook at Ole Miss Baseball and on Instagram at olemissbsb.

The University of Mississippi Athletics

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