Ron Polk Ring Of Honor Class Of 2026 Revealed
February 11, 2026 | Baseball
STARKVILLE – Two Major League managers and a World Series champion comprise the 2026 Ron Polk Ring of Honor Class.
Nat "Buck" Showalter, Alex Grammas and Chris Stratton will be the latest group of Mississippi State Baseball legends to be immortalized onto the pillars of the Adkerson Plaza in right field at Dudy Noble Field/Polk-DeMent Stadium.
The Diamond Dawg trio becomes the eighth class to be enshrined into the prestigious Ron Polk Ring of Honor, which was established in 2019. Showalter, Grammas and Stratton's induction day will be announced at a later date.
Nat "Buck" Showalter (1977)
Only spent one year in Starkville but it was a memorable one, establishing a new single-season batting average record hitting an astounding .459 (67-for-146). Was a fifth-round draft pick by the Yankees and spent seven seasons playing in the Minor Leagues, rising to Triple-A. Began his coaching career in the Yankees farm system in 1985 and was named the manager of the big-league Yankees in 1992 and served in that capacity for four years. Also managed the Diamondbacks (1998-2000), Rangers (2003-06), Orioles (2010-18) and Mets (2022-23). Became the third manager in MLB history to be named Manager of the Year four times and the only one to do so in four different decades. Won 1,727 career games and coached six playoff teams. Served as a television analyst for ESPN's Baseball Tonight and appeared as himself on the hit TV show, Seinfeld.
Chris Stratton (2010-12)
As a junior in 2012, became MSU's first consensus first team All-American in 27 years. Closed out his collegiate career ranked third in program history with 279 strikeouts. Named the National and SEC Pitcher of the Year and won the Ferriss Trophy in 2012 after posting an 11-2 record with a 2.38 ERA and 127 strikeouts in 109 2/3 innings. Fanned a career-best 17 batters in an 8 2/3-inning start at LSU on March 17, 2012. Was drafted in the first round (20th overall) by San Francisco in 2012. Pitched for a decade as a starter and reliever in the Major Leagues for the Giants, Angels, Pirates, Cardinals, Rangers, Royals and Dodgers. Won a World Series with Texas in 2023.
Alex Grammas (1947-49)
Was a two-time first team All-SEC selection at shortstop in 1948-49. Also earned first team All Region honors after leading the team in home runs and RBIs in 1949. Played 10 seasons in the Major Leagues with the St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs from 1954-63. Began his coaching career in 1964 as the manager of the Cubs' Double-A affiliate, the Fort Worth Cats. Went on to work as an assistant coach in four World Series and won two championships with Cincinnati (1975) and Detroit (1984). Was the manager for Pittsburgh for the final five games of the 1969 season and served as manager for Milwaukee during the 1976-77 seasons.
