St. Louis Cardinals’ Mitchell Boggs throws a pitch in the ninth inning during an MLB baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Tuesday, April 2, 2013, in Phoenix. The Cardinals defeated the Diamondbacks 6-1. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Former Georgia standout and Major League pitcher Mitchell Boggs will serve as an undergraduate assistant coach for the 2016 season, Bulldog coach Scott Stricklin announced Thursday.
Boggs, a native of Dalton, Ga., enjoyed a six-year career in the Major Leagues including winning a World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2011. He made his Major League debut in 2008 with the Cardinals, and his career included stints with the Colorado Rockies, Chicago White Sox, San Francisco Giants, Boston Red Sox and Atlanta Braves. He appeared in 241 games with 15 starts, posting a 13-15 mark with six saves and a 4.12 ERA. Boggs registered 233 strikeouts in 316.2 innings pitched. During the Cardinals championship run in 2011, Boggs made seven appearances in the playoffs including two in the World Series.
“I’m very thankful for the opportunity Coach Stricklin has given me to be a part of his staff while I finish my degree at the University of Georgia,” Boggs said. “This university is special to me, and to be a part of the program again is very exciting for myself and for my family.”
Boggs will be completing requirements for a degree in consumer economics. He, and his wife LeLe, have a one-year-old son, Mitchell Jr.
“We are excited to have Mitchell back in Athens,” Stricklin said. “He will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to our program. We feel very fortunate to have him assist Coach Corral with the pitching staff, and he will help mentor our pitchers too.”
Boggs pitched for the Bulldogs from 2003-05 and then was drafted in the fifth round by the Cardinals. During his Georgia career, Boggs helped Georgia advance to the 2004 College World Series where they finished tied for third. The 2004 team captured a Southeastern Conference title and posted a 45-23 final record. He was a three-year letterman and went 5-8 with five saves and a 5.64 ERA in 48 appearances including four starts. In 2012, Boggs served as the keynote speaker for Georgia’s First Pitch preseason banquet.
The 2016 First Pitch banquet will be Thursday, Feb. 11 and feature Atlanta Braves great Chipper Jones. The 2016 college baseball season opens Feb. 19.