Tony Avitable (1991) - Florida State Athletics Hall of Fame

Tony Avitable

Induction:
1991

An outstanding pitcher on one of Florida State's earliest baseball teams, Tony Avitable led the Tribe in 1955 and '56.

With a fast ball in the 90s and a great curve ball, Tony's record with the Seminoles was 10-1. He pitched two one-hitters and struck out 135 batters in 95 2/3 innings. Twenty-four of those batters were struck out in one game, against Furman in 1956, giving Avitable the Florida State record for strikeouts in a game. That FSU record also stood as an NCAA record for 17 years until broken in 1973.

Additionally, Avitable was the pitcher in FSU's first NCAA regional appearance. He threw one of his two-hitters in that game vs. Duke, coming out on top 2-1. Following that performance, Tony was named to the NCAA All-Region team.

During his junior year with the Tribe, Avitable signed with the Kansas City Athletics and spent three seasons with the club, bringing Florida State baseball greatness to the professional level.