Oklahoma State University Athletics
Incaviglia named a Player of the Century
June 21, 1999 | Cowboy Baseball
May 8, 1998
STILLWATER, Okla. - Former OSU great Pete Incaviglia was honored last week by Collegiate Baseball as one of three Players of the Century.
Saying that "all three have sprinkled their contributions generously into the record book, where many of their marks still stand," Collegiate Baseball selected Incaviglia, Wichita State's Phil Stephenson and Hawaii's Derek Tatsuno for its award in a story in the magazine's May 1 issue.
Incaviglia played at OSU from 1983 to '85. Arguably the most recognized power hitter in OSU and NCAA baseball history, he had the most impressive offensive year in NCAA history as a junior in 1985. He set NCAA single-season records for home runs (48), RBIs (143), total bases (285) and slugging percentage (1.140). He also set NCAA career records for home runs (100) and slugging percentage (.915). He holds the Big Eight career records for RBIs (324) and total bases (635).
Incaviglia was named first-team All-America in 1984 and '85 by the American Baseball Coaches Association, the Sporting News and Baseball America. He was named first-team All-Big Eight by the conference coaches in 1984 and 1985. One of only two players to be voted the Most Valuable Player of the Big Eight Tournament twice, he earned the honor in 1984 and again in '85.
Selected in the first round of the 1985 amateur draft by Montreal, Incaviglia was traded to Texas, where he became one of only five position players since 1965 to go directly from amateur baseball to the major leagues. As a rookie in 1986, he tied a Rangers record with 30 home runs and drove in 83 runs. He became the first Ranger to reach 100 home runs in four seasons and just the 49th player in major league history to accomplish that feat.
After spending a year each in Detroit and Houston, Incaviglia played for Philadelphia from 1993 to '96. He hit .274 with 24 home runs and a career-high 89 RBIs during the 1993 regular season, helping the Phillies to the National League East title.
Collegiate Baseball also named five other players who "were close competitors for top honors" in the Players-of-the-Century debate. Among that list is another former Cowboy, Robin Ventura.
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