Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboy Baseball To Induct Three Into Hall Of Fame
April 03, 2003 | Cowboy Baseball
"These three guys represent a mixture of three different eras of Cowboy baseball," said head coach Tom Holliday. "All three played a vital part in the success of Oklahoma State baseball during their careers."
Dobson, nicknamed "The Dobber", was named the most outstanding player of the 1959 College World Series when the Pokes captured their first and only national title. During that 1959 season he batted .342 with seven homers and 29 RBIs in 111 at-bats. Dobson was also a two-year letter winner at halfback for Oklahoma State's football team. He was a three-time All-Big Eight selection as a third baseman in 1959 and as an outfielder in 1960 and 1961. He signed with the Cleveland Indians organization after the 1961 season.
"When talking with some of the guys that played in the 1950's and 1960's in regards to athletes that belonged in the Hall of Fame, Dobber was one of the first names mentioned by everyone," said Holliday.
Livingston is considered one of the top Cowboy pitchers of all-time with his name peppered throughout the OSU record books. The North Reading, Mass., native was a two-time All-America (1982-83) and earned All-Big Eight honors in 1983-84. Livingston set the Cowboys single season record of 10 saves in 1982 on his way to an 8-2 ledger and a 2.29 ERA. In 1983, Livingston set the OSU single season record for wins in a season with 15 against only three losses. He threw eight complete games and recorded 180 strikeouts in 135 innings pitched. In his junior year Livingston went 10-3 with a 4.54 ERA in 16 starts. The Cowboys made the College World Series in all of his three seasons at OSU and finished his career with a 33-8 record with 344 strikeouts, both of which are school records. Livingston was drafted with the 23rd pick in the first round of the 1984 draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers.
"Dennis' role on our pitching staff was just as vital as Pete Incaviglia's role was offensively. Both of them combined were the major forces in guiding Oklahoma State back into one of the elite programs in the country during the early 1980's," noted Holliday.
Simons was a mainstay in the middle infield for the Pokes from 1988-90 and made his mark primarily as a leadoff hitter and team leader. He was named to the All-Big Eight team after the 1989 and 1990 seasons and was a third-team All-America after his junior season. Simons stole 73 bases in his collegiate career to go along with a .344 batting average and 29 homers. Simons went 2-for-3 and scored the Cowboys lone run in a 2-1 loss to Georgia in the 1990 NCAA Championship game. He was drafted in the 23rd round by the Montreal Expos in the 1991 amateur baseball draft and has been in professional baseball ever since. Simons played the 1999 season for the Charlotte Knights, the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox.
"Mitch exemplified all of the attributes we look for in a player and he will go down in history as one of the Cowboy all-time greats," said Holliday.
Tickets for the event are limited and can be ordered through the Cowboy Baseball office at (405) 744-5849.
