Phil Ross - 2 Grand Slams in One Inning

2 Grand Slams in One Inning

On March 18, 1985, in a home game against Division I Florida A&M, Ross went 3-4, including 2 Grand Slams in the second inning, a stand up double (a lined shot off the center field fence) with the bases loaded in the 4th inning, and he reached 1st base on a fielders choice in the 1st inning. He scored 4 times in 4 plate appearances, and had 11 RBIs. In a measure of professionalism and an acknowledgement of the incredible accomplishment on the afternoon, Coach Marshall removed Ross from the game to a standing ovation to teammates and fans on hand after Ross fielded a grounder in the top of the 4th inning. Ross was featured that evening on CNN Sports by anchor Jim Huber.

Ross was 1 of 3 seniors on a Saint Leo team that went 22-26-2 (4-20 in Sunshine State Conference play). The previous year Ross started at 1st base on a Saint Leo team that started 7 seniors, was ranked 5th in the nation in the final regular season Collegiate Baseball Poll, and went 46-13 (17-11 in Conference play, and 13-1 vs. Division I schools), and tied for the second most wins in the nation in Division II during the regular season.

In Ross’ final game of his college career, at home versus Conference rival Eckerd College, Ross hit a home run in his last at-bat. While rounding third base, in an incredible show of sportsmanship, the Eckerd players emptied the dugout and shook hands with Ross before he reached home plate.

Mysteriously Ross was not drafted that summer in the Major League Baseball draft and never attempted to try out for a major league club.

Ross was inducted into the Sunshine State Conference Hall of Fame in the class of 1992-93. In the Conference he is #1 in career batting average, #1 in slugging percentage, and 3rd in RBIs.

Ross was inducted into the Saint Leo Athletic Hall of Fame in 1993.