Caldwell, Plesac, Rodon, and Turner to be inducted into the Baseball Ring of Honor
11/18/2025 4:00:00 PM | Baseball
RALEIGH, N.C. - NC State baseball greats Mike Caldwell, Dan Plesac, Carlos Rodon, and Trea Turner are set to be inducted into the baseball ring of honor this week and recognized on Friday, Nov. 21, on the field during the NC State vs. Florida State football game.Â
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The four Wolfpack greats will all have their numbers displayed on the outfield wall of Doak Field, joining Sam Esposito, whose number is retired, and Chris Combs, as they return to Raleigh and are celebrated in a private ceremony ahead of the football game.
These four men represent everything that makes NC State Baseball special," Head Coach Elliott Avent said. "Each of them elevated this program and contributed to this proud and strong tradition like many great players before and after them, creating memories for fans and players in ways that will be felt for generations. They have not only given fans thrills at Doak Field but also throughout their major league careers, representing the Wolfpack wherever they go. Their legacy is woven into the fabric of NC State Baseball, and it's an honor to see their names enshrined together."
In four seasons, Caldwell compiled a 32-10 record with a 2.30 ERA for the Wolfpack and was named ACC Player of the Year en route to helping the Wolfpack achieve its first College World Series appearance in 1968. He set conference records for shutouts and most complete games. He was selected in the 1971 Major League Baseball Draft by the San Diego Padres. He went on to enjoy a remarkable 14-year Major League career, winning more than 100 games, earning an All-Star selection in 1978, finishing second in Cy Young voting, and being the winning pitcher in two games of the 1982 World Series with the Brewers. In 2013, Caldwell came back to Raleigh and was inducted into the NC State Hall of Fame. The following year, he was inducted into the Brewers' Wall of Fame and is part of the ACC 50th Anniversary Team.Â
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Plesac was named All-ACC in his freshman year in 1981, followed by becoming the ACC leader in strikeouts per nine innings in 1982. In 27 collegiate starts, Plesac held a 13-7 record and struck out 143 batters. After an outstanding career in Raleigh, he was selected in the first round and 26th overall of the 1983 Major League Baseball Draft by the Milwaukee Brewers, becoming the Wolfpack's first-ever first-round draft pick. Plesac went on to pitch for 18 seasons in the Major Leagues, earning three All-Star selections and becoming the Brewers' leader in games, saves, and ERA, and one of the most respected relievers of his era. He joined Caldwell in 2014 in the Brewers' Wall of Fame.Â
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The backbone of the NC State pitching staff on the 2013 College World Series team, Rodon was one of the most dominant pitchers in college baseball history. In 2012, he was named the ACC Rookie and Pitcher of the Year as well as USA Baseball Player of the Year and National Freshman Pitcher of the Year, all while being a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award. Rodon finished his career with an NC State record 436 strikeouts and a 2.24 ERA over 50 appearances in 345.2 IP. His 184 strikeouts in 2013 still stand as the most by a Wolfpack pitcher in program history. Rodon was a three-time All-American and a three-time MLB All-Star. He was the third overall pick in the 2014 MLB draft by the Chicago White Sox. On April 14, 2021, Rodon threw a no-hitter against the Cleveland Indians.
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A three-time All-American and cornerstone of the 2013 College World Series team during his time at NC State, Turner won the Brooks Wallace Award for the top shortstop in America. A Lake Worth, Fla. native, Turner set the single-season school record for 57 stolen bases during his freshman year. He also holds the record for most stolen bases during his NC State career with 113. Turner has appeared in three All-Star Games and has just won his second NL Batting Title with the Phillies. In 2021, Turner was named the Tony Gwynn batting champion with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Turner was drafted 13th overall by the San Diego Padres in the MLB Draft. For his career, Turner hit .342 and finished sixth all-time in NC State history with 203 runs. Turner went on to become a World Series champion in 2019 with the Washington Nationals.
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The four Wolfpack greats will all have their numbers displayed on the outfield wall of Doak Field, joining Sam Esposito, whose number is retired, and Chris Combs, as they return to Raleigh and are celebrated in a private ceremony ahead of the football game.
These four men represent everything that makes NC State Baseball special," Head Coach Elliott Avent said. "Each of them elevated this program and contributed to this proud and strong tradition like many great players before and after them, creating memories for fans and players in ways that will be felt for generations. They have not only given fans thrills at Doak Field but also throughout their major league careers, representing the Wolfpack wherever they go. Their legacy is woven into the fabric of NC State Baseball, and it's an honor to see their names enshrined together."
In four seasons, Caldwell compiled a 32-10 record with a 2.30 ERA for the Wolfpack and was named ACC Player of the Year en route to helping the Wolfpack achieve its first College World Series appearance in 1968. He set conference records for shutouts and most complete games. He was selected in the 1971 Major League Baseball Draft by the San Diego Padres. He went on to enjoy a remarkable 14-year Major League career, winning more than 100 games, earning an All-Star selection in 1978, finishing second in Cy Young voting, and being the winning pitcher in two games of the 1982 World Series with the Brewers. In 2013, Caldwell came back to Raleigh and was inducted into the NC State Hall of Fame. The following year, he was inducted into the Brewers' Wall of Fame and is part of the ACC 50th Anniversary Team.Â
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Plesac was named All-ACC in his freshman year in 1981, followed by becoming the ACC leader in strikeouts per nine innings in 1982. In 27 collegiate starts, Plesac held a 13-7 record and struck out 143 batters. After an outstanding career in Raleigh, he was selected in the first round and 26th overall of the 1983 Major League Baseball Draft by the Milwaukee Brewers, becoming the Wolfpack's first-ever first-round draft pick. Plesac went on to pitch for 18 seasons in the Major Leagues, earning three All-Star selections and becoming the Brewers' leader in games, saves, and ERA, and one of the most respected relievers of his era. He joined Caldwell in 2014 in the Brewers' Wall of Fame.Â
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The backbone of the NC State pitching staff on the 2013 College World Series team, Rodon was one of the most dominant pitchers in college baseball history. In 2012, he was named the ACC Rookie and Pitcher of the Year as well as USA Baseball Player of the Year and National Freshman Pitcher of the Year, all while being a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award. Rodon finished his career with an NC State record 436 strikeouts and a 2.24 ERA over 50 appearances in 345.2 IP. His 184 strikeouts in 2013 still stand as the most by a Wolfpack pitcher in program history. Rodon was a three-time All-American and a three-time MLB All-Star. He was the third overall pick in the 2014 MLB draft by the Chicago White Sox. On April 14, 2021, Rodon threw a no-hitter against the Cleveland Indians.
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A three-time All-American and cornerstone of the 2013 College World Series team during his time at NC State, Turner won the Brooks Wallace Award for the top shortstop in America. A Lake Worth, Fla. native, Turner set the single-season school record for 57 stolen bases during his freshman year. He also holds the record for most stolen bases during his NC State career with 113. Turner has appeared in three All-Star Games and has just won his second NL Batting Title with the Phillies. In 2021, Turner was named the Tony Gwynn batting champion with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Turner was drafted 13th overall by the San Diego Padres in the MLB Draft. For his career, Turner hit .342 and finished sixth all-time in NC State history with 203 runs. Turner went on to become a World Series champion in 2019 with the Washington Nationals.
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