Eddy Furniss
Encyclopedia
Wilburn Edward "Eddy" Furniss (born September 18, 1975 in Nacogdoches, Texas
) is a former college baseball and minor league baseball player.
, where he played for the LSU Tigers baseball
team, winning the 1996
and 1997 College World Series
College World Series
. Furniss was named to the All-Tournament Teams in the 1995 SEC Baseball Tournament
and 1997 College World Series
. He was named the Most Valuable Player
of the Southeastern Conference
in . In , Furniss won the Dick Howser Trophy
as the top collegiate baseball player. Furniss was a First Team College All-American twice: in 1996 as a designated hitter
, and 1998 as a first baseman
.
in the fourth round of the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft
. He played in the minor leagues of the Pirates, Oakland Athletics
, and Texas Rangers
organizations, without reaching the major leagues.
Nacogdoches, Texas
Nacogdoches is a city in Nacogdoches County, Texas, in the United States. The 2010 census recorded the city's population to be 32,996. It is the county seat of Nacogdoches County and is situated in East Texas. Nacogdoches is a sister city of Natchitoches, Louisiana.Nacogdoches is the home of...
) is a former college baseball and minor league baseball player.
Collegiate career
Furniss attended Louisiana State UniversityLouisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
, where he played for the LSU Tigers baseball
LSU Tigers baseball
The LSU baseball team represents Louisiana State University in NCAA Division I college baseball.Along with the other LSU athletic teams, the baseball team participates in the West division of the Southeastern Conference...
team, winning the 1996
1996 College World Series
The 1996 College World Series was played at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, NE from May 31 to June 8. The fiftieth tournament's champion was Louisiana State University, coached by Skip Bertman...
and 1997 College World Series
1997 College World Series
The 1997 College World Series was played at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, NE from May 30 to June 7. The fifty-first tournament's champion was Louisiana State University, coached by Skip Bertman...
College World Series
College World Series
The College World Series or CWS is an annual baseball tournament held in Omaha, Nebraska that is the culmination of the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship, which determines the NCAA Division I college baseball champion. The eight teams are split into two, four-team, double-elimination brackets,...
. Furniss was named to the All-Tournament Teams in the 1995 SEC Baseball Tournament
1995 SEC Baseball Tournament
The 1995 SEC Baseball Tournament was held as separate tournaments for the Eastern Division and the Western Division. The Eastern Division tournament was held at Lindsey Nelson Stadium in Knoxville, TN. The Western Division tournament was held at Dudy Noble Field in Starkville, MS. Both...
and 1997 College World Series
1997 College World Series
The 1997 College World Series was played at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, NE from May 30 to June 7. The fifty-first tournament's champion was Louisiana State University, coached by Skip Bertman...
. He was named the Most Valuable Player
Most Valuable Player
In sports, a Most Valuable Player award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests...
of the Southeastern Conference
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
in . In , Furniss won the Dick Howser Trophy
Dick Howser Trophy
The Dick Howser Trophy, considered to be the Heisman Trophy of college baseball, is an award presented annually to the national college baseball player of the year, presented by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association ....
as the top collegiate baseball player. Furniss was a First Team College All-American twice: in 1996 as a designated hitter
Designated hitter
In baseball, the designated hitter rule is the common name for Major League Baseball Rule 6.10, an official position adopted by the American League in 1973 that allows teams to designate a player, known as the designated hitter , to bat in place of the pitcher each time he would otherwise come to...
, and 1998 as a first baseman
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
.
Professional career
Furniss was drafted by the Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
in the fourth round of the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft
1998 Major League Baseball Draft
The 1998 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft of high school and college baseball players, was held on June 2 and 3, 1998...
. He played in the minor leagues of the Pirates, Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
, and Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
organizations, without reaching the major leagues.