Who had the greatest baseball career to come out of Brevard County? That's the question we're putting to you, the fans, as part of a special celebration of America's pastime on the Space Coast. As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary this summer, USA TODAY Sports is honoring the 250 most influential American sports figures of all time. To complement that national recognition, we're shining a spotlight on the local legends who defined their communities—and right now, that means the diamond stars of Florida's Space Coast.
Through 2026, a panel of USA TODAY Network experts will roll out a series of honors recognizing the athletes and coaches who shaped their states. This time, we're taking a swing at Brevard County's best. Below are five standout players and coaches whose careers left an indelible mark on the game. Now, it's your turn to decide who takes the top spot.
Tim Wakefield
A knuckleball artist from Melbourne, Wakefield pitched 19 seasons in the Major Leagues, spending his first two with the Pittsburgh Pirates before becoming a Boston Red Sox icon over the next 17 years. He earned two World Series rings with Boston in 2004 and 2007. A graduate of Eau Gallie High School and Florida Tech, Wakefield finished his career with a 200-180 record and 2,156 strikeouts, retiring at age 45 in 2011.
Clint Hurdle
Hurdle moved to Florida from Michigan at age four in 1961 when his father joined the space program. After starring at Merritt Island High School, he turned down offers from Miami and Harvard to go pro, becoming the 9th overall pick in the 1975 MLB Draft. As a player, Hurdle spent 10 seasons with the Royals, Reds, Mets, and Cardinals, posting a .259 batting average with 32 home runs and 193 RBIs. He played in the 1980 World Series with Kansas City. But his impact didn't end there—Hurdle transitioned into coaching, managing the Port St. Lucie Mets in 1988 before making his Major League managerial debut with the Colorado Rockies in 2002. He led the Rockies for eight seasons, including the franchise's only World Series appearance in 2007, and later managed the Pittsburgh Pirates.
These are just two of the five nominees we've selected. Who else made the cut? And more importantly, who had the best baseball career from Brevard County? Cast your vote now and make your voice heard in this all-time Space Coast debate.