Josh Pride (2019) - Hall of Fame - Middle Tennessee State University Athletics

Josh Pride

Induction:
2019
Class:
2002

Josh Pride was the consummate player/leader for the Blue Raiders of Coach Steve Peterson, leading Middle Tennessee to the 2000 OVC Championship in its last year in the conference. He also helped lead the Blue Raiders into the Regional final against Clemson that season. The talented infielder/catcher was named the OVC Player of the Year in 1999 and was also selected to the Louisville Slugger All-American team. The two-time all-OVC selection also displayed power at the plate. Upon the completion of his playing career, Pride was first on the career home runs list (44), third on the career RBI list (141), second for career total bases (379) and third for career slugging percentage (.598). Pride’s 22 home runs in 1999 were the most in a single season until the record was broken in 2009. Though his playing career ended 18 years ago, Pride still remains among Middle Tennessee’s all-time best baseball players as evidenced by his current standing in the Blue Raider record book. Pride remains among career leaders for home runs (third, 44), runs scored (6^th, 171), multi-home run games (3^rd, 4), total bases (9^th, 379), RBI (9^th, 141) and slugging percentage (10^th, .599). Pride also remains on the Top 10 single season lists for runs, home runs, total bases and slugging percentage. Pride was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in 2000.