Former Illinois State baseball star Neal Cotts was one of those student-athletes fortunate enough to land in that two percent. After three stellar seasons on the diamond for the Redbirds, Cotts was drafted No. 69 overall by the Oakland Athletics in the second round of the 2001 draft. He went on to pitch in Major League Baseball with the Chicago White Sox, Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers, Milwaukee Brewers and Minnesota Twins.
The 2015 Illinois State Athletics Percy Family Hall of Fame class was officially announced Monday, July 6.
The Illinois State University Alumni Association invites you to cheer on the Chicago White Sox as they host the Texas Rangers. The evening will begin at Chi-Sox Bar & Grill with a special Redbird pregame reception.
Neal Cotts’ recent return to the major leagues was as unlikely as his arrival. He didn’t think he had a shot at the pros until his junior year at Illinois State.
Texas Rangers relief pitcher Neal Cotts needed only a few minutes to get three consecutive outs May 21 against the top of the Oakland A’s order. What made it remarkable was that he was appearing in his first major league game in four years.
