LUBBOCK, Texas — Former Auburn great Gregg Olson will be inducted into the National College Baseball Hall of Fame as a member of the class of 2021, the College Baseball Foundation announced Thursday.
A two-time All-American pitcher for the Tigers from 1986-88, Olson is one of 14 members of the class of 2021 and becomes Auburn's first National College Baseball Hall of Famer.
The class will be inducted as part of the virtual College Baseball Night of Champions ceremony scheduled for June 26.
A native of Omaha, Nebraska, Olson enjoyed a three-year career at Auburn, posting a 25-7 record and 3.03 ERA. More than 30 years removed from his collegiate career, the right-hander still ranks in the top 10 in Auburn history in appearances (97, 3rd), saves (20, T-4th), winning percentage (,.781, 5th), strikeouts (271, 7th) and wins (25, T-9th).
Olson broke through as a sophomore (11-1, 1.26) at Auburn and went a combined 18-4 with a 1.62 ERA while recording 20 saves in 78 appearances in his final two seasons. He led the country in ERA in 1987 and led the SEC in the category in 1988. Along with his All-American honors, Olson was named First Team All-SEC and ABCA All-South Region following the 1987 and 1988 campaigns. He went on to become the then-highest draft pick in program history as he was selected fourth overall by the Baltimore Orioles in the 1988 MLB Draft.
Olson made his MLB debut with the Orioles that same season as he pitched a scoreless inning of relief vs. Seattle on Sept. 2, 1988. The following season, Olson posted a 5-2 record and 1.69 ERA while converting 27 saves and was named the American League Rookie of the Year. Also named an American League All-Star in 1990, Olson ultimately spent six seasons with the Orioles and turned in 160 career saves, which still stands as an organizational record. He was inducted in the Orioles Hall of Fame in 2008.
Olson played for eight teams in the remaining eight years of his 14-year MLB career and turned in 217 career saves, which ranks 45th in MLB history.
