Oklahoma State University Athletics
Light Selected For Induction Into Cowboy Baseball Hall Of Fame
December 09, 2019 | Cowboy Baseball
STILLWATER — The Oklahoma State Cowboy Baseball Hall of Fame will induct its newest member in its Class of 2020 as Tal Light will be honored with that distinction at the OSU Baseball First Pitch Banquet in January.
Light spent just one season in a Cowboy uniform, but he made the most of it as he earned multiple All-America honors in 1995. He is one of 25 players in OSU history to earn first-team All-America accolades as he received that status from the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.
A third baseman from Lumberton, Texas, who came to Stillwater after starring for two seasons at Seminole State, Light was one of the top Cowboy power hitters of the 1990s as he slugged 26 home runs and recorded 104 RBIs while posting a .335 batting average in 63 games.
Following his junior season, Light signed with Colorado after the Rockies selected him in the eighth round of the 1995 Major League Baseball Draft. He played five professional seasons, reaching as high as Double A.
"In 1995, my life changed for the better. It was the absolute best year of my life when I had the privilege to play baseball for Oklahoma State," Light said. "The relationships formed with my teammates and coaches have carried on to this day. OSU Baseball taught me many things. The sport itself built my character, motivated me with hard work ethic and teamwork. We played hard, worked hard and made so many solid memories along the way.
"Oklahoma State will always hold a special place in my heart. I met my beautiful wife, Natalie, there — she was a member of the OSU pom squad, and two of my daughters, Hallie and Kamri, have been on the OSU pom squad with our youngest, Kaylee, hopefully following in those footsteps.
"I will forever carry and cherish the memories and lessons learned from Oklahoma State and the Cowboy Baseball program."
A five-person committee selects the hall of fame inductees. The panel evaluated candidates based on their accomplishments both at Oklahoma State and the professional baseball level, paying special attention to those who were All-Americans, had Major League Baseball careers or were first-round draft picks or who hold a significant position in the OSU record books.
With the addition of Light, the Cowboy Baseball Hall of Fame will grow to 58 members.
"Tal was fantastic in his only season as a Cowboy, a true slugger following the mold of so many great power hitters in our program's history," said OSU head coach Josh Holliday. "I can remember the excitement of that season and his emergence in a short amount of time.
"Not only did Tal excel on the field, but he also met his wife, Natalie, while here, and he has gone on to a successful career with a wonderful family. We are proud to see Tal join the Cowboy Baseball Hall of Fame."
OSU baseball fans wanting to help celebrate Light's hall of fame career, as well as share the excitement of the current Cowboy ballclub for the upcoming 2020 season, can purchase tickets for the annual First Pitch Banquet, which will be held Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020, at the Wes Watkins Center on the OSU campus. Tickets are limited, with each of the previous banquets selling out, and will go on sale later this month.
Light spent just one season in a Cowboy uniform, but he made the most of it as he earned multiple All-America honors in 1995. He is one of 25 players in OSU history to earn first-team All-America accolades as he received that status from the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.
A third baseman from Lumberton, Texas, who came to Stillwater after starring for two seasons at Seminole State, Light was one of the top Cowboy power hitters of the 1990s as he slugged 26 home runs and recorded 104 RBIs while posting a .335 batting average in 63 games.
Following his junior season, Light signed with Colorado after the Rockies selected him in the eighth round of the 1995 Major League Baseball Draft. He played five professional seasons, reaching as high as Double A.
"In 1995, my life changed for the better. It was the absolute best year of my life when I had the privilege to play baseball for Oklahoma State," Light said. "The relationships formed with my teammates and coaches have carried on to this day. OSU Baseball taught me many things. The sport itself built my character, motivated me with hard work ethic and teamwork. We played hard, worked hard and made so many solid memories along the way.
"Oklahoma State will always hold a special place in my heart. I met my beautiful wife, Natalie, there — she was a member of the OSU pom squad, and two of my daughters, Hallie and Kamri, have been on the OSU pom squad with our youngest, Kaylee, hopefully following in those footsteps.
"I will forever carry and cherish the memories and lessons learned from Oklahoma State and the Cowboy Baseball program."
A five-person committee selects the hall of fame inductees. The panel evaluated candidates based on their accomplishments both at Oklahoma State and the professional baseball level, paying special attention to those who were All-Americans, had Major League Baseball careers or were first-round draft picks or who hold a significant position in the OSU record books.
With the addition of Light, the Cowboy Baseball Hall of Fame will grow to 58 members.
"Tal was fantastic in his only season as a Cowboy, a true slugger following the mold of so many great power hitters in our program's history," said OSU head coach Josh Holliday. "I can remember the excitement of that season and his emergence in a short amount of time.
"Not only did Tal excel on the field, but he also met his wife, Natalie, while here, and he has gone on to a successful career with a wonderful family. We are proud to see Tal join the Cowboy Baseball Hall of Fame."
OSU baseball fans wanting to help celebrate Light's hall of fame career, as well as share the excitement of the current Cowboy ballclub for the upcoming 2020 season, can purchase tickets for the annual First Pitch Banquet, which will be held Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020, at the Wes Watkins Center on the OSU campus. Tickets are limited, with each of the previous banquets selling out, and will go on sale later this month.
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