WINTER HAVEN – For more than 20 years, Tom "Flash" Gordon was a force on Major League Baseball pitching mounds. This spring, he'll have the spotlight once again as the keynote speaker for Polk State College's annual Athletics Gala.

A native of Avon Park, Gordon pitched from 1988 to 2009 in the big leagues. Over his career, Gordon compiled a 138-126 record, 3.96 ERA, 158 saves, and 1,928 strikeouts.

An All-Star for three different teams, Gordon played for the Kansas City Royals, Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros, Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees, and Arizona Diamondbacks. From 1998 to early 1999, Gordon converted a then-record 54 straight save opportunities. In 1998, Gordon won the Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award after leading the American League in saves with 46.

Primarily a reliever throughout his career, Gordon started more than 200 games. He remains the only player in Major League Baseball history with more than 100 wins, 100 holds, and 100 saves.

"For someone as accomplished as Tom Gordon to come to our campus and help celebrate our athletes is incredibly humbling," Polk State Athletics Director Stanley Cromartie said. "Last year's gala was a major success and we look forward to garnering even more support as we recognize all that our athletes have accomplished on the fields, courts, and in the classroom."

The annual gala is set for April 21, 2023, at 6 p.m. on the Winter Haven Campus. The gala is an opportunity for staff, and community members to celebrate and support Polk State's student-athletes. The formal event highlights the mission of Polk State's Athletics Department, the accomplishment of student-athletes on and off the playing fields and the successes of the College's five athletics teams.