Auburn honors Josh Donaldson: 'He invested in our players'

Twenty years after arriving as an Auburn freshman, former MLB MVP Josh Donaldson returned to the Plains to tour the facility he helped fund, share big league tips with the Tigers' baseball team, and be recognized at Jordan-Hare Stadium

by Jeff Shearer
Auburn honors Josh Donaldson: 'He invested in our players'Auburn honors Josh Donaldson: 'He invested in our players'
Zach Bland/Auburn Tigers

AUBURN, Ala. – Six years after his leadership gift helped fund the project and three years after its dedication, Josh Donaldson toured the hitting lab that bears his name in the Auburn Baseball Player Development Center.

“My first time actually seeing it,” said Donaldson, who retired in March after a 13-season Major League Baseball career. “It was pretty special for me and I’m excited for my family to be able to see it too.”

Accompanied by his wife, Briana, and their two young daughters, Donaldson received a rousing ovation Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium when Auburn fans congratulated and thanked the 2015 American League Most Valuable Player.

“After 13 years, our first opportunity to celebrate his amazing career,” said Auburn coach Butch Thompson, who was an assistant coach on the Plains when Donaldson starred for the Tigers from 2005-07. “He had never had an opportunity to walk in the batting cages that he was the lead giver to make happen.”

20241101_BSB_PRAX_Donaldson_ZB_0019Josh Donaldson tours the hitting facility that bears his name

“Auburn meant a lot to me when I was here,” Donaldson said. “It’s a big part of who I am today. Having Butch, Karl (Nonemaker), Gabe (Gross) and the staff they have here, I wanted to be able to help them the best that I could and make sure their players were going to have every opportunity to get better.”

Donaldson arrived at Auburn 20 years ago this fall from Mobile’s Faith Academy, where he was also a football standout.

“It feels like yesterday,” Donaldson said. “It doesn’t feel like that long ago.”

Donaldson spoke to the Auburn baseball team before Friday’s practice, then passed along individual hitting and fielding tips during the Tigers’ intrasquad scrimmage.  

“Take advantage of the opportunity you have,” Donaldson said, recapping his message to the team. “Because it’s going to be here today and it’s going to be gone tomorrow at some point. Fall in love with the process of what it takes of being here.”

“When one of our greatest players comes back and interacts with our student-athletes and our current team, it’s priceless,” Thompson said. “It’s one thing for him to talk to the team for a couple minutes Friday before our squad game and practice. The extra step of a special person is when they stay for the entire squad game and after every at-bat he’s offering insight.

“He not only invested in batting cages, more importantly from where I stand, he invested in our players. That made the day so special.”

20241101_BSB_PRAX_Donaldson_ZB_0022'He invested in our players': Josh Donaldson talks to the Tigers before practice

Standing near the Auburn dugout, Donaldson overlooked the ongoing enhancements at Plainsman Park.

“The facilities here are outstanding,” Donaldson said. “The university itself has come a long way since I’ve been here. It’s really fun to come back and see the progress that’s been made here.”

The Donaldsons live in Daphne, Alabama, near his hometown of Pensacola, Florida, on the Gulf Coast.

Listening to Donaldson pass along pointers he picked up while blasting 279 MLB home runs and making three consecutive All-Star teams, one could easily envision a coaching career in his future.

“At some point I’ll try to get back involved in the game,” Donaldson said. “But right now. I’ve wanted to take a year or two off, being at home with the family and enjoying the perks of that.”

20241101_BSB_PRAX_Donaldson_ZB_0014'Fun to come back and see the progress': Josh Donaldson and Butch Thompson tour Plainsman Park

One of those perks includes a new home in Scottsdale, Arizona, to enjoy during non-summer months.  

For Josh Donaldson, Auburn represents a home as well. The place that helped launch him toward stardom and welcomed him back with appreciation for his excellence and gratitude for his generosity.

“He gives Auburn credit for paving a way,” Thompson said. “He made the most of his opportunity, but he gives credit to his coaches, this university and this baseball program for making this amazing career happen.”

20241102_FB_vs_VANDY_ZB_0109'He gives Auburn credit': Butch Thompson joins the Donaldson family on Pat Dye Field for Josh's recognition

Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on X: @jeff_shearer