About Inductee

Eddie Echols has enjoyed a standout baseball career at Lee High School, Columbia State Community College (Tennessee), Jacksonville State University and the Chicago White Sox organization. Graduating in 1969 from Lee (coached by Max Burleson), Eddie led his team to an undefeated 20-0 record and the Tennessee Valley Conference Championship and was named the most valuable player in the TVC. This was the last year prior to the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) State Playoffs. In the summer of 1969, Eddie's senior Babe Ruth team (ages 16-18) won the state championship. His two years at Columbia State brought numerous individual honors as his 1970 team finished 3rd in the Junior College World Series and he was named State Junior College Player of the Year (.435 batting average), Tennessee Junior College Athletic Association (TJCAA) Player of the Year and National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) All-American. His coach was David Hall. In 1970 he won the Big Stick Award (awarded by Adirondack Bat Company) and in 1971 he was named the Columbia State Athlete of the Year. Eddie completed his college career at Jacksonville State University where he was named to the All-Gulf South Conference team and was coached by Rudy Abbott. Eddie was drafted in 1971 in the first round of the winter draft by the Boston Red Sox but did not sign. He was drafted again in 1972 by the Chicago White Sox and played two years in that organization. Eddie is also remembered for standout summers with the Huntsville Independents semi-pro team, coached by Jim Talley, which won several state championships. All four of the previously mentioned coaches are in at least one Hall of Fame. Having the opportunity to play on several teams with his brother Ricky was a highlight for Eddie. Hobbies in his adult years have included camping with his family members and also traveling to as many major league ball parks as possible. Eddie feels that his deceased father, Howard Echols, Sr., had the most influence on his playing career with his positive support of Eddie's endeavors. He and his wife Sandra have one daughter, Shannon, who is married to John Jackson. They are the proud grandparents of three beautiful children, Tyler, Lily, and Ella.