N.C. State baseball program to honor Chris Combs’ No. 26 jersey
No matter when it happens, the N.C. State baseball program will honor Chris Combs.
The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown a wrinkle in the plans, but at some point, Combs’ No. 26 jersey will be honored at Doak Field.
The school sent out a release on Monday that Combs will be honored not only for his career in baseball, but for his pursuit of a cure for ALS. Combs was diagnosed with ALC in 2016. Since then he and his wife, who formed Team Chris Combs, have raised $4,000,000 for ALS research.
“From the time I was a small child, my life has revolved around N.C. State Athletics,” Combs said in the statement released by the school. “From being a batboy to working at the Wolfpack Club, I have loved everything associated with this great university. One of the highlights of my life was my time as a student-athlete wearing the Wolfpack red and white. N.C. State has always been home. I am truly humbled at the kind gesture honoring my number, and am grateful to everyone who has supported our efforts to strike out ALS.”
The ceremony was originally scheduled for April 17, but will be rescheduled with the uncertainty of spring sports in the ACC.
Combs’ number will be the first to be honored by the N.C. State baseball program. Former coach Sam Esposito’s No. 4 is the only retired number in program history.
Combs was a pitcher, outfielder and first baseman for the Wolfpack from 1994-97 and was selected in the 14th round of the 1996 MLB Draft by the Texas Rangers. He came back to Raleigh for his senior season and was named Second Team All-ACC that season. He was then drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates. According to WRAL, his pro career was cut short by an elbow injury.
Currently, Combs ranks fifth in career home runs (42) and 10th in RBIs (159) at N.C. State.
In 1997 Combs led N.C. State to 13 consecutive ACC wins, still the longest win streak in school history versus ACC opponents. After his playing days were over, Combs worked as an associate director for the Wolfpack Club from 2005-18.
“As great of a player as Chris Combs was, his contributions to N.C. State baseball goes well beyond statistics and accolades, and far beyond wins and loses,” Wolfpack coach Elliott Avent said in a statement. “He represents the best in human spirit, the best of what it means to wear an N.C. State baseball jersey, and it’s only fitting his number should be honored for everyone who steps into our ballpark to see.”
Last season a scholarship endowment of $400,000 was made in his name by the Wolfpack Club. Combs grew up in Raleigh and attended Broughton High School before enrolling at N.C. State.
This story was originally published March 17, 2020 at 11:50 AM with the headline "N.C. State baseball program to honor Chris Combs’ No. 26 jersey."
