The Historical Society of Avon ParkAVON PARK, FL · EST. 1886
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Avon Park in the Majors

Avon Park, Florida has produced two native-born Major League Baseball players and served as the high school training ground for two additional major leaguers.[bbref-florida-born][bbref-avon-park-hs] The town’s athletic lineage spans nineteen-season major league careers, World Series championships, local high school state titles, and collegiate talent developed at South Florida State College.[sabr-mcrae][bbref-tom-gordon][bbref-sfsc]

Players born in Avon Park

Baseball-Reference records exactly two major leaguers born in Avon Park, Florida.[bbref-florida-born]

  • Hal McRae (Harold Abraham McRae), born July 10, 1945 in Avon Park.[sabr-mcrae][bbref-mcrae] Across nineteen major league seasons (1968, 1970–1987) with the Cincinnati Reds and Kansas City Royals, he played in 2,084 games, amassing 2,091 hits, 484 doubles, 66 triples, 191 home runs, 1,097 runs batted in, and a .290 batting average.[bbref-mcrae][almanac-mcrae] A three-time American League All-Star (1975, 1976, 1982) and 1982 AL RBI champion (133 RBIs), he won the 1985 World Series with the Royals and was inducted into the Kansas City Royals Hall of Fame in 1989.[almanac-mcrae][mlb-royals-hof] He later managed the Royals (1991–1994) and Tampa Bay Devil Rays (2001–2002), compiling a career managerial record of 399–473.[bbref-mcrae] As a boy he played for The Avon Park Black Tigers, the team his father managed on Castle Street.[sabr-mcrae] See Hal McRae for his full career record, his managerial tenure, and the corroborated details of his Avon Park childhood.
  • Nick Gordon, born October 24, 1995 in Avon Park — son of Tom “Flash” Gordon and half-brother of Dee Strange-Gordon.[bbref-florida-born][bbref-nick-gordon] An infielder and outfielder selected fifth overall by the Minnesota Twins in the first round of the 2014 MLB draft out of Olympia High School in Orlando, he debuted on May 6, 2021 and played four major-league seasons (2021–2024) for the Twins and Miami Marlins, appearing in 338 games with 23 home runs and 112 RBIs.[bbref-nick-gordon] See The Gordon Family for the family relationship and full career record.

Avon Park High School major leaguers

Two major leaguers attended Avon Park High School, though neither was born in Avon Park.[bbref-florida-born][bbref-avon-park-hs]

  • Tom “Flash” Gordon, born November 18, 1967 in Sebring, Florida.[bbref-tom-gordon] Gordon grew up in Avon Park, playing youth baseball by 1980 and starring at Avon Park High School under head coach Ronnie Jackson.[hof-cardcorner-tom-gordon] On the mound for the Red Devils, Gordon compiled legendary strikeout totals: he struck out 21 batters in a single game, struck out 46 of 48 batters faced across a three-game stretch, and went 12–1 with 188 strikeouts in 88 innings as a senior in 1986.[hof-cardcorner-tom-gordon] Drafted in the sixth round of the 1986 MLB draft by the Kansas City Royals, Gordon pitched 21 seasons in the major leagues (1988–2009), compiling 138 wins, 158 saves, 1,928 strikeouts, three All-Star selections, an AL saves title (46 in 1998), and a World Series championship ring with the 2008 Philadelphia Phillies.[bbref-tom-gordon][hof-cardcorner-tom-gordon] His sons Dee Strange-Gordon and Nick Gordon also reached the majors. See The Gordon Family for the full career record and family history.
  • Dee Strange-Gordon (born Devaris Gordon), born April 22, 1988 in Windermere, Florida — Tom Gordon’s son.[bbref-dee-strange-gordon] Raised in Avon Park from age seven by his grandmother Annie Gordon, he attended Avon Park High School, starring in basketball before focusing on baseball as a senior.[mlb-dee-gordon-hometown][bbref-dee-strange-gordon] Across eleven major-league seasons (2011–2022) with the Dodgers, Marlins, Mariners, and Nationals, he played 1,024 games, compiling 1,118 hits, 336 stolen bases, two All-Star selections, and the 2015 National League batting (.333) and stolen base titles.[bbref-dee-strange-gordon] He maintains an offseason residence in Avon Park and founded the annual holiday youth tournament for the Avon Park Boys & Girls Club.[mlb-dee-gordon-hometown] See The Gordon Family for his full team-by-team record and career statistics.

The McRae family baseball lineage

In addition to Hal McRae, the McRae family spans three generations of baseball connected to Avon Park:

  • Willie James McRae: Hal McRae’s father, an agricultural laborer in Avon Park who played for and managed The Avon Park Black Tigers in central Florida’s segregated semi-pro ranks. See Willie James McRae.[sabr-mcrae]
  • Brian McRae: Hal McRae’s son, born August 27, 1967 in Bradenton while his father was playing minor-league ball.[bbref-brian-mcrae] A first-round draft pick (17th overall) by the Kansas City Royals in 1985, Brian played ten major-league seasons (1990–1999) as a center fielder for the Royals, Chicago Cubs, New York Mets, Colorado Rockies, and Toronto Blue Jays, compiling 1,336 hits, 103 home runs, and 196 stolen bases.[bbref-brian-mcrae] When Hal McRae was named Royals manager in May 1991, they formed only the second father-manager and son-player combination in major league history.[latimes-1991-05-25-mcrae] Brian McRae returned to Avon Park on May 9, 2026 alongside his father for the grand opening of the Avon Park Depot & Baseball Museum. See Brian McRae.

Professional alumni and minor league careers

In addition to Tom Gordon and Dee Strange-Gordon, Baseball-Reference records six other Avon Park High School alumni who played professional baseball:[bbref-avon-park-hs]

  • Clyde “Pork Chop” Pough (born December 25, 1969 in Sebring): Selected in the third round of the 1988 MLB draft by the Cleveland Indians out of Avon Park High, Pough compiled the most extensive minor-league career among local alumni, playing sixteen seasons (1988–2003) across Minor League Baseball, the Mexican League, the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL in Taiwan), and independent leagues.[bbref-pough] Over 1,403 professional games, he accumulated 192 home runs, 764 RBIs, and 1,223 hits with a lifetime .267 batting average.[bbref-pough]
  • Tony Gordon (Anthony Gordon, born December 8, 1968 in Sebring): Selected in the 26th round of the 1987 MLB draft by the Seattle Mariners after pitching Avon Park High School to the 1987 Class 2A state championship.[bbref-avon-park-hs] Gordon pitched seven seasons (1988–1994) reaching Class AA across the Mariners, Chicago White Sox, and Kansas City Royals farm systems, making 167 appearances (16 starts) with a 10–16 record, three saves, 274.1 innings pitched, and 248 strikeouts.[bbref-tony-gordon]
  • Tom Smith (Thomas Smith, born October 1, 1970 in Avon Park): Selected in the seventh round of the 1990 MLB draft by the Kansas City Royals.[bbref-avon-park-hs] An outfielder, Smith played eight professional seasons (1990–1998) across Class A+ and independent baseball, appearing in 492 games and compiling 465 hits, 60 doubles, 20 triples, 48 home runs, 243 RBIs, and a .265 career batting average.[bbref-tom-smith]
  • Matt Tindell (Matthew Tindell, born April 22, 1980 in Winter Haven): Selected in the ninth round of the 1999 MLB draft by the Seattle Mariners.[bbref-avon-park-hs] A versatile catcher, outfielder, and relief pitcher, Tindell played five professional seasons (1999–2004) in the Mariners and Milwaukee Brewers organizations, appearing in 203 games with 113 hits, 22 doubles, 5 home runs, and 48 RBIs, while also pitching in 31 games (40.0 innings, 50 strikeouts).[bbref-matt-tindell]
  • Matt Mercurio (Matthew Mercurio, born November 26, 1982 in Avon Park): Selected in the 38th round of the 2001 MLB draft by the Boston Red Sox.[bbref-avon-park-hs] An infielder (second base, third base, and first base), Mercurio played three professional seasons (2005–2007) in the Red Sox system and independent baseball, appearing in 238 games with 193 hits, 37 doubles, 11 home runs, 88 RBIs, and a .227 batting average.[bbref-matt-mercurio]
  • Emmitt Money (born January 31, 1949): Selected in the 24th round of the 1967 MLB draft by the Houston Astros.[bbref-avon-park-hs] Money pitched two seasons (1967–1968) in the Astros minor league system, making 34 appearances (13 starts) across 100.0 innings with 74 strikeouts.[bbref-emmitt-money]

The Avon Park High School Red Devils baseball program has won eight FHSAA state championships (1948, 1955 in Class A, 1964 and 1966 in Class B, and 1972, 1980, 1984, and 1987 in Class 2A) and seven state runner-up finishes, detailed in Avon Park High School Baseball: Championships, Coaches, and Professional Alumni.[aphs-school-of-champions][newssun-aphs-banquet-celebrated-100]

South Florida State College baseball program

South Florida State College (formerly South Florida Junior College and South Florida Community College), located in Avon Park, has produced five Major League Baseball players:[bbref-sfsc]

  • Ryan Raburn (outfielder/infielder, 2004–2017 with Tigers, Indians, and Nationals; 946 games, 93 home runs)[bbref-sfsc]
  • Jesse Litsch (right-handed pitcher, Blue Jays 2007–2011; 27–27 record, 4.16 ERA)[bbref-sfsc]
  • Chris Waters (left-handed pitcher, Orioles 2008–2009)[bbref-sfsc]
  • James Hurst (left-handed pitcher, Rangers 1994)[bbref-sfsc]
  • Darren Clarke (right-handed pitcher, Rockies 2007)[bbref-sfsc]

Between 1976 and 2007, the Panthers program produced 28 professional players and 24 MLB draft picks.[bbref-sfsc][bbref-sfsc-draft] The highest overall draft selections from the program were Thomas Anderson (1st round, 9th overall, Cleveland Indians, 1978) and Blane McDonald (1st round, 11th overall, Chicago Cubs, 1977).[bbref-sfsc-draft] Head coach Rick Hitt, who took over the program in 1999, was inducted into the NJCAA Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in May 2022.[abca-rick-hitt]

References

Where this comes from

Evidence
corroborated — More than one independent source agrees.
Review
unverified — Drafted from sources but not yet checked by a volunteer.
Rights
public-domain

Sources

  1. Players Born in Florida — Baseball-Reference (2026) · official
  2. Avon Park HS Baseball Players — Baseball-Reference (2026) · official
  3. Hal McRae — SABR BioProject (2026) · secondary
  4. Tom Gordon Stats — Baseball-Reference (2026) · official
  5. Craig Muder, "#CardCorner: 1989 Donruss Tom Gordon" — National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum (2020) · secondary
  6. South Florida State College Baseball Players — Baseball-Reference (2026) · official
  7. Hal McRae Stats — Baseball-Reference (2026) · official
  8. Hal McRae — Baseball Almanac (2026) · secondary
  9. Royals Hall of Fame Members — Kansas City Royals / MLB.com (2026) · official
  10. Nick Gordon Stats — Baseball-Reference (2026) · official
  11. Dee Strange-Gordon Stats — Baseball-Reference (2026) · official
  12. Joe Frisaro, "Hometown a special place for Gordon" — MLB.com (2014) · secondary
  13. Clyde "Pork Chop" Pough Minor League Register — Baseball-Reference (2026) · official
  14. Brian McRae Stats — Baseball-Reference (2026) · official
  15. Royals Name McRae Manager, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 1991 (1991) · newspaper
  16. APHS Banquet Celebrated 100 Years of Baseball — Highlands Sun (2025) · newspaper
  17. MLB Draft Picks from South Florida State College — Baseball-Reference (2026) · official
  18. Rick Hitt Profile — American Baseball Coaches Association (2026) · official
  19. The School of Champions — Avon Park High School (2026) · official
  20. Tony Gordon Minor League Statistics — Baseball-Reference (2026) · official
  21. Tom Smith Minor League Statistics — Baseball-Reference (2026) · official
  22. Matt Tindell Minor League Statistics — Baseball-Reference (2026) · official
  23. Matt Mercurio Minor League Statistics — Baseball-Reference (2026) · official
  24. Emmitt Money Minor League Statistics — Baseball-Reference (2026) · official

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