Former Bulldog Great “Boo” Ferriss Passes Away At 94

STARKVILLE, Miss. – David Meadow “Boo” Ferriss, one of the most beloved figures in Mississippi State baseball history and a Boston Red Sox great, passed away on Thursday. He was 94.

“A gentleman in every sense of the word, Boo Ferriss will be missed but certainly not forgotten,” MSU Director of Athletics John Cohen said. “His contributions go well beyond the game of baseball. The amount of lives he touched is staggering. He is truly the greatest ambassador for baseball in the history of the state of Mississippi.”

Ferriss prepped at Shaw High School, graduating in 1939 before embarking on a career in Starkville. A two-time All-SEC first team (1941-42) pitcher for the Diamond Dawgs, Ferriss spent two seasons playing under legendary coach C.R. “Dudy” Noble. He also played basketball. Ferriss was signed by the Boston Red Sox in 1942 and made his debut on April 29, 1945 with a two-hit shutout.

Over his six-year playing career with the Boston Red Sox (1945-50), Ferriss amassed a 65-30 record on the mound with a 3.64 ERA in 880 innings pitched with 296 strikeouts and eight saves across 144 appearances. In 1946, he was named an MLB All-Star in a season that ended in a World Series appearance for the Red Sox. Ferriss still holds the MLB record for most consecutive home wins (13 in 1946).

After his playing days concluded in 1950, Ferriss took on a coaching role with the Red Sox as the pitching coach (1955-59). Ferriss returned to his home state in 1960 as the head coach at Delta State University, a role he held until 1988. He posted a 639-387-8 record with three NCAA Division II College World Series appearances.

Ferriss was inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in 1964 and the MSU Sports Hall of Fame in 1970, before being inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1988 and the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2002. He is also a member of the Delta State University Sports Hall of Fame.

Ferriss’ legacy is celebrated annually in the state of Mississippi. The namesake of the annual award which honors Mississippi’s top collegiate baseball player, the C Spire Ferriss Trophy was first presented in 2004. Five Diamond Dawgs have earned the prestigious honor that bears Ferris’ name.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, Nov. 29 at Covenant Presbyterian Church from 4-8 p.m. A memorial service will be held at Covenant Presbyterian Church at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 30 with Rev. Tim Starnes officiating. For those who have not visited with the family a short visitation will follow the service in the fellowship hall. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Delta State baseball program, P.O. Box 361-DSU, Cleveland, MS 38733; Fellowship of Christian Athletes, P. O. Box 449, Ridgeland, MS 39158; Covenant Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 896, Cleveland, MS 38732; or the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum, 1152 Lakeland Drive, Jackson, MS 39216.