Good morning! He’s still got it. Bulldog softball assistant coach Zac Shaw will suit up to play for Team USA in the WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup, hosted in Oklahoma City in September.

What else did we throw into today’s Bulldog Brew?

⚾️ MLB Draft recap
🏀 Former Bulldogs are balling out in the NBA Summer League
🐶 And much, much more!

🎥 THE DUDES

The Dudes: Ring of Honor. The Ron Polk Ring of Honor recognizes the very best to come through the Mississippi State baseball program. This year, former pitcher Bobby Reed and current radio announcer Jim Ellis were inducted for their achievements and had their names enshrined at Dudy Noble Field. Hear from both Jim and Bobby as they reminisce on their careers and reflect on what this honor means to them.

📈 STOCK UP

🔼 Dreams To Reality. Mississippi State pitchers Jurrangelo Cijntje and Khal Stephen heard their names called on Sunday night during the first day of the 2024 Major League Baseball Draft. The two selections mark the fifth straight season that State has had a student-athlete taken in the first two rounds.

⚾️ Cijntje was selected with the 15th pick in the first round by the Seattle Mariners. In 2024, Cijntje dominated on the mound for the Diamond Dawgs, tying the team lead in wins with eight and leading the team in strikeouts with 113.

⚾️ Stephen was selected with the 59th overall pick by the Toronto Blue Jays. The right-handed pitcher led the MSU pitching staff in wins (eight), innings pitched (96.0) and ERA (3.28). His 3.28 ERA is the fifth-best ERA in the SEC this season.

🔼 Summer Ball. Bulldog men's basketball has four former players participating in the 2024 NBA 2K25 Summer League until July 22. Recent graduate Tolu Smith III is suiting up for the Detriot Pistons, D.J. Jeffries has seen action with the Memphis Grizzlies, Garrison Brooks is with the Chicago Bulls, and last but not least, Quinndary Weatherspoon will play with the Phoenix Suns. The guys will look to help their teams reach the championship game while showing out in hopes of landing pro contracts.

🔼 Lots To Play For. While softball may not be played at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Mississippi State legend Mia Davidson-Smith and Team USA will still be going for gold across the pond in Europe. Davidson-Smith and the Americans will open play at the WBSC Women's Softball World Cup Finals in Italy later today. Ranked as the No. 1 team in the world, Team USA is set for games against Canada, China and Italy during the group stage portion of the tournament.

📚️ Learn more about the WBSC World Cup and where to watch the games live

🔼 Century Since Gold. Born in small Richton, Mississippi – a town that since 1910 has never once reported a population greater than 1,400 people – Commodore Scott Cochran was the son of farmers and the oldest of 10 children in the family. The star runner would go on to help Team USA win a gold medal in the 4×400 relay in the 1924 Paris Olympics, launching a career in the sport of track and field.

📚️ Read this feature article about Cochran’s journey to the Olympics and his life after the gold medal

🤔 BULLDOG TRIVIA

Hot Commodity. Today’s trivia question…what is the highest a former Diamond Dawg has ever been selected in the MLB Draft?

Think you got it? Scroll to the bottom of the Bulldog Brew to see if you know your stuff!

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📆 LOOKING AHEAD

Saturday, August 24

🏐 Volleyball vs. Memphis @ 4:00pm in Memphis, TN

Saturday, August 31

🏈 Football vs. Eastern Kentucky @ 5:00pm in Starkville, MS

🐶 Click here to see the full Mississippi State Athletics Calendar

🎉 TRIVIA ANSWER

Answer: Second overall!

In the 1985 MLB Draft, Will Clark was selected with the second overall pick by the San Francisco Giants.

🐶 Have a great Monday, y'all!