Troy University Athletics
Hall of Fame
Cox, Danny
Danny Cox
- Induction:
- 2014
Danny Cox put together one of the most magical seasons ever by a Troy pitcher during the 1981 campaign. His dominance on the mound led to first team All-America honors and statistics that still hold true in Troy’s record book today. Cox won a school-record 13 games during the 1981 season behind the strength of six shutouts, a number that is both the single-season and career record for the Trojans.
In his two seasons (1980-81), Cox and the Trojans dominated the Gulf South Conference posting a 24-2 conference record and advancing to the NCAA Division II World Series each season.
“He was a guy that had a great work ethic,” said Troy assistant coach and 1987 graduate Mark Smartt. “He practiced mastering the slider and once he picked it up, his career took off. I often heard Coach (Chase) Riddle say that he worked and worked until he became the pitcher everyone knew he could be.”
A product of Warner Robbins (Ga.) High School, Cox was a member of the inaugural class into the Troy Baseball Hall of Fame in 1992. He set an NCAA record with 43 consecutive scoreless innings as he posted a 1.30 ERA and led the country in wins. His ERA still ranks as the third best in a season in Troy history while his 110.2 innings pitched rank as the 10th best total.
Cox finished his Trojan career with a 17-7 overall record and a 2.31 ERA, which still ranks as the third best mark by a Troy player. Cox was a member of two Gulf South Conference championship teams that advanced to the NCAA Division II World Series and combined to win 67 games to just 22 losses.
“Those teams winning and playing in the World Series laid the groundwork for what our teams were able to do a few years later,” Smartt said. “There was a direct correlation between Cox and those players and how they played the game and the teams that had success down the road.”
As a team, Cox’s 1981 squad set a school record with 11 shutouts in a season. The staff posted a 2.72 ERA and struck out 261 batters in 280 innings.
A 13th round draft pick of the St. Louis Cardinals in 1981, Cox played 11 major league seasons with the Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays, Philadelphia Phillies and Pittsburgh Pirates.
Cox made his major league debut on Aug. 6, 1983, at age 23 in a start against the Philadelphia Phillies. He faced a star-studded lineup featuring players like Pete Rose, Mike Schmidt and Joe Morgan. On the mound for the Phillies that day was Steve Carlton, who was signed in 1963 by Cox’s college coach, Chase Riddle. Cox pitched 10 innings without allowing a run and surrendered seven hits in a no-decision.
Cox started 174 games before being converted to a reliever in 1992. He posted a career 74-75 record with a 3.64 ERA. In 1985 while with the Cardinals, Cox finished fourth in the National League with 10 complete games. He would turn in a career season that year finishing 18-9 with a 2.88 ERA and four shutouts. Cox pitched 241 innings that season striking out 131 batters.
In his two seasons (1980-81), Cox and the Trojans dominated the Gulf South Conference posting a 24-2 conference record and advancing to the NCAA Division II World Series each season.
“He was a guy that had a great work ethic,” said Troy assistant coach and 1987 graduate Mark Smartt. “He practiced mastering the slider and once he picked it up, his career took off. I often heard Coach (Chase) Riddle say that he worked and worked until he became the pitcher everyone knew he could be.”
A product of Warner Robbins (Ga.) High School, Cox was a member of the inaugural class into the Troy Baseball Hall of Fame in 1992. He set an NCAA record with 43 consecutive scoreless innings as he posted a 1.30 ERA and led the country in wins. His ERA still ranks as the third best in a season in Troy history while his 110.2 innings pitched rank as the 10th best total.
Cox finished his Trojan career with a 17-7 overall record and a 2.31 ERA, which still ranks as the third best mark by a Troy player. Cox was a member of two Gulf South Conference championship teams that advanced to the NCAA Division II World Series and combined to win 67 games to just 22 losses.
“Those teams winning and playing in the World Series laid the groundwork for what our teams were able to do a few years later,” Smartt said. “There was a direct correlation between Cox and those players and how they played the game and the teams that had success down the road.”
As a team, Cox’s 1981 squad set a school record with 11 shutouts in a season. The staff posted a 2.72 ERA and struck out 261 batters in 280 innings.
A 13th round draft pick of the St. Louis Cardinals in 1981, Cox played 11 major league seasons with the Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays, Philadelphia Phillies and Pittsburgh Pirates.
Cox made his major league debut on Aug. 6, 1983, at age 23 in a start against the Philadelphia Phillies. He faced a star-studded lineup featuring players like Pete Rose, Mike Schmidt and Joe Morgan. On the mound for the Phillies that day was Steve Carlton, who was signed in 1963 by Cox’s college coach, Chase Riddle. Cox pitched 10 innings without allowing a run and surrendered seven hits in a no-decision.
Cox started 174 games before being converted to a reliever in 1992. He posted a career 74-75 record with a 3.64 ERA. In 1985 while with the Cardinals, Cox finished fourth in the National League with 10 complete games. He would turn in a career season that year finishing 18-9 with a 2.88 ERA and four shutouts. Cox pitched 241 innings that season striking out 131 batters.
Behind the Wall - S10, E3
Thursday, September 18
Behind The Wall - S10, E3
Wednesday, September 17
Troy Football Press Conference (Players) - Buffalo Game
Monday, September 15
Gerad Parker Press Conference - Buffalo Game
Monday, September 15
