Effingham native and Major League Baseball standout Chad Green is set to receive one of the highest honors of his athletic career after being selected for induction into the National Athletic Hall of Fame in the Professional Athlete category as part of the Hall’s 2026 class.
Green’s journey to the major leagues began at Effingham High School, where he established himself as one of the area’s top multi-sport athletes. On the baseball diamond, he helped lead the Hearts to back-to-back IHSA Class 3A regional championships in 2009 and 2010, laying the foundation for what would become an outstanding collegiate and professional career.
Following graduation, Green continued his baseball career at the University of Louisville, where he became one of the most accomplished pitchers in Cardinals history. He still owns the school record for the lowest career earned run average at 2.38 and set a single-season record with 18 starts during the 2013 campaign, a mark that still ranks second in program history. In three seasons at Louisville, Green made 61 appearances, pitched 193 innings, compiled a 16-6 record, and earned the honor of starting a game in the 2013 College World Series.
His success at Louisville caught the attention of Major League scouts, and the Detroit Tigers selected Green in the 11th round of the 2013 MLB Draft.
Green reached the major leagues in May of 2016 with the New York Yankees, where he quickly developed into one of baseball’s premier relief pitchers. His breakout season came in 2017 when he posted a remarkable 1.83 ERA while striking out 103 batters in just 69 innings, showcasing one of the most dominant fastballs in the game.
After spending seven seasons with the Yankees, Green signed with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2023. Following Tommy John surgery, he returned to the mound in 2024 and authored one of baseball’s best comeback stories, converting 16 consecutive save opportunities while earning recognition as a finalist for the American League Comeback Player of the Year Award.
Over the course of his Major League career, Green has recorded more than 500 strikeouts, joined the exclusive 100-strikeout reliever club, and achieved the rare feat of winning 10 games out of the bullpen during the 2021 season.
Green’s induction into the National Athletic Hall of Fame recognizes not only his accomplishments on the professional stage but also the remarkable journey that began in Effingham and inspired countless young athletes throughout the region.
The 2026 National Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held on Friday, November 13, 2026, at the Teutopolis Banquet Hall in Teutopolis, Illinois, where Green will officially take his place among the nation’s distinguished athletic honorees.
