Patrick O'Sullivan

 

 

Patrick O'Sullivan was recruited to Freed-Hardeman University out of Orchard Park, Ill., and wasted no time in becoming one of the best hitters to ever put on a Lion uniform.  During his freshman season, O'Sullivan hit .339 with a then-school record eight home runs.  His numbers only got better from there as he went on to set several school records during his three seasons at FHU.  At the time of his induction in 2010, he still holds the records for single season batting average, on-base percentage, doubles and extra base hits and the career records for batting average, home runs and slugging percentage.   He was a two-time all-conference and all-region selection and was named an NAIA All-American in 1998 as well as the Tennessee Small College Player of the Year.

 

 

O'Sullivan transferred to Austin Peay State University for his senior season, where he hit .370 with 17 home runs and 70 RBIs.  In June 1999, O'Sullivan was drafted in the thirty-fourth round by the New York Mets.  He has also been under contract with the Baltimore Orioles and the San Diego Padres.  For the better part of his career, he has played south of the border in the Mexican League. In his six years in Mexico, O'Sullivan has played for the cities of Reynosa, San Luis Potosi, Monclova, Veracruz, Tijuana, and Navajoa.  In 2004, he hit a career-best 37 homers in 143 games. O'Sullivan hit at least 21 home runs each year from 2004 to 2008. In his 12 year career in professional baseball, he has hit over 200 home runs while posting a .320 career batting average.

"Patrick was certainly one of the most talented players to play at Freed-Hardeman, a real game changer," said Box, who recruited and coached O'Sullivan while at FHU.  "However, what really separated Patrick was his passion for the game, the studious way he approached his craft, and his unmatched competitiveness.  He was a pleasure to work with and he elevated our program to a different level."