Major league baseball former player is VSU Homecoming Parade marshal

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Former MLB player and VSU graduate Alonzo “Al” Bumbry will serve as parade marshal for the university’s homecoming parade.Bumbry was the 1973 American League Rookie of the Year, a 1980 All-Star, and a 1983 World Series champion with the Baltimore Orioles.A decorated Vietnam veteran, Bumbry was awarded the Bronze Star before beginning his professional baseball career.The VSU Homecoming Parade is scheduled for October 25 at 8:30 a.m. and will feature a new route.

Virginia State University’s Homecoming Parade is this weekend. One of VSU’s most celebrated graduates Alonzo “Al” Bumbry, a former major league baseball player, will be a guest of honor, and as grand marshal, he will lead the parade.

Bumbry, a 1969 VSU graduate, went on to play 14 seasons in the majors, mostly with the Baltimore Orioles. His notable achievements include winning the 1973 American League Rookie of the Year Award, earning a selection to the 1980 All-Star Team, and winning the 1983 World Series. His 252 career stolen bases still rank fourth in Orioles history, according to VSU’s press release.

Initially attending VSU on a basketball scholarship, Bumbry joined the baseball team when the program was reinstated during his final academic year. He served as team captain and was named the team’s Most Outstanding Player.

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Bumbry was a member of VSU’s ROTC program. He fulfilled his military obligation of two years following graduation. After serving a year in Vietnam, where he was decorated with the Bronze Star, he was discharged as a first lieutenant. Then, Bumbry pursued a professional baseball career

In 1987, Bumbry was inducted into the Orioles Hall of Fame. He is also a member of the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame and the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Hall of Fame.

After his playing career, Bumbry remained close to the game. He served as a coach for the Boston Red Sox, Baltimore Orioles and Cleveland Indians.

“VSU is honored to welcome one of its most accomplished student athletes back for one of its most cherished homecoming traditions,” the university said in its release. “Throughout his life, Bumbry has exemplified what it means to pursue ‘greater’ on and off the field.”

VSU’s Homecoming Parade begins at 8:30 a.m. on Oct. 25. It will feature a new route to improve traffic flow for Homecoming attendees entering campus for the football game. For route details, visit vsu.edu.  

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Kristi K. Higgins aka The Social Butterfly, an award-winning columnist, is the trending topics and food Q&A reporter at The Progress-Index voted the 2022 Tri-Cities Best of the Best Social Media Personality. Have a news tip on local trends or businesses? Contact Kristi (she, her) at khiggins@progress-index.com, follow @KHiggins_PI on X and @socialbutterflykristi on Instagram.