Laurin Pepper
Encyclopedia
Hugh McLaurin Pepper is a former professional baseball player who pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1954 to 1957.
Before turning to professional baseball, Pepper was an All-American half-back at Mississippi Southern. He starred in a 1953 Mississippi Southern win over the University of Alabama. He was selected sixth in the 1954 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers
.
Pepper instead signed a bonus contract
with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Under the rules in place at that time, the Pirates were required to keep Pepper on their major league roster.
From 1954 to 1957 Pepper pitched in 44 games for Pittsburgh. His first win was in a game played on August 26th 1954. He only won one other major league game.
Pepper played in his last major league on June 6, 1957. Three days later he was optioned to the Hollywood Stars in order to make room for Dick Hall
. Pepper continued to play professional baseball in the minor leagues till 1963.
After his playing days were over, Pepper worked as a high school football coach and athletic director at Ocean Springs High School
. At a ceremony in 1998, the high school honored Pepper by naming its stadium 'Hugh Pepper Field'.
Before turning to professional baseball, Pepper was an All-American half-back at Mississippi Southern. He starred in a 1953 Mississippi Southern win over the University of Alabama. He was selected sixth in the 1954 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
.
Pepper instead signed a bonus contract
Bonus Rule
The Bonus Rule was a rule instituted by Major League Baseball in 1947 that prevented teams from assigning certain players to farm clubs. The rule stipulated that when a Major league team signed a player to a contract in excess of $4,000 , the Major League team was required to keep that player on...
with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Under the rules in place at that time, the Pirates were required to keep Pepper on their major league roster.
From 1954 to 1957 Pepper pitched in 44 games for Pittsburgh. His first win was in a game played on August 26th 1954. He only won one other major league game.
Pepper played in his last major league on June 6, 1957. Three days later he was optioned to the Hollywood Stars in order to make room for Dick Hall
Dick Hall
Richard Wallace Hall was a Pitcher and part-time Outfielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates , Kansas City Athletics , Baltimore Orioles and Philadelphia Phillies .-Biography:He helped the Orioles win the 1966 and 1970 World Series and 1969 and 1971 American League...
. Pepper continued to play professional baseball in the minor leagues till 1963.
After his playing days were over, Pepper worked as a high school football coach and athletic director at Ocean Springs High School
Ocean Springs High School
Ocean Springs High School is an IB-certified public high school in Ocean Springs, Mississippi . The school serves students in grades 9–12 and is part of the Ocean Springs School District...
. At a ceremony in 1998, the high school honored Pepper by naming its stadium 'Hugh Pepper Field'.