Oglethorpe University

Lucius Appling was a shortstop, and one of - if not the most-  accomplished ball player in Oglethorpe history.

Appling led the 1930 baseball team to a 15-0 record and a Southern Intercollegiate Baseball championship title. He was also a member of the football team and Delta Sigma Phi fraternity. 

Before finishing his degree, Appling signed with the Atlanta Crackers. Then, he made his major league debut with the Chicago White Sox in 1930. Other than a two-year leave to serve in World War II, Appling played for the White Sox for until his retirement in 1950. He was a seven-time MLB All-Star and a two-time major league batting champion, posting a career .310 batting average. After his playing days were over, Appling coached and managed several minor and major league teams. He finished his career as a batting coach for the Atlanta Braves, serving them from 1975 until the very end of 1990.  

Appling was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1964. The Chicago White Sox retired his #4 in 1975, and he was named an honorary coach of Oglethorpe’s 1990 team. He passed away at age 83 on January 3rd, 1991.