Georgia Bulldogs baseball
Encyclopedia
The Georgia Bulldogs baseball team represents the University of Georgia
in NCAA Division I college baseball
.
Along with most other Georgia athletic teams, the baseball team participates in the Eastern division of the Southeastern Conference
. Georgia won the College World Series
in 1990
.
The Bulldogs play their home games on UGA's campus in Foley Field
, and are currently coached by head coach David Perno
.
, as well as making the trip to Omaha
in 1987
, 1990
, 2001
, 2004
, 2006
, and 2008
. The Diamond Dawgs, as they are called, are coached by David Perno
.
In its history, the team has claimed five Southeastern Conference
tournament titles, in 1933, 1954, 1955, 2001, and 2004, and five regular season conference titles, in 1933, 1953, 1954, 2004, and 2008.
The program dates back to 1886 and, according to former Sports Information Director Dan Magill
, was once the most popular sport on campus. However, from the mid-1950s to the late-1980s, and then through most of the 1990s, there were only scattered bright spots as the team managed only a modicum of success.
Since 2001, however, the program has enjoyed quite a resurgence, winning three championships in the perennial stalwart Southeastern Conference
and participating in the College World Series
four times in those seven seasons.
The Georgia-Georgia Tech baseball rivalry is one of the South's most fierce, and the teams' annual Spring Baseball Classic at Turner Field
draws some of the largest crowds in college baseball (the 2004 game was seen by 28,836 spectators, the second-largest crowd in college baseball history).
The team has seen several of its former players move on to successful professional careers, most notably former New York Yankees
pitcher Spud Chandler
. Also, St. Louis Cardinals
pitcher Cris Carpenter
(not to be confused with Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter
), pitcher Derek Lilliquist
, Seattle Mariners
pitcher Dave Fleming
, Chicago White Sox
second basemen Gordon Beckham
and Georgia high school football coaching legend Billy Henderson played for the Bulldogs.
championship with a 2-1 win over Oklahoma State. Steve Webber
coached the team and Mike Rebhan
was named Most Outstanding Player
of the series.
1987 College World Series
1990 College World Series
2001 College World Series
2004 College World Series
2006 College World Series
2008 College World Series
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...
in NCAA Division I college baseball
College baseball
College baseball is baseball that is played on the intercollegiate level at institutions of higher education. Compared to football and basketball, college competition in the United States plays a less significant contribution to cultivating professional players, as the minor leagues primarily...
.
Along with most other Georgia athletic teams, the baseball team participates in the Eastern division of the Southeastern Conference
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
. Georgia won the College World Series
College World Series
The College World Series or CWS is an annual baseball tournament held in Omaha, Nebraska that is the culmination of the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship, which determines the NCAA Division I college baseball champion. The eight teams are split into two, four-team, double-elimination brackets,...
in 1990
1990 College World Series
The 1990 College World Series was played at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, NE from June 1 to June 9. The forty-fourth tournament's champion was the University of Georgia, coached by Steve Webber...
.
The Bulldogs play their home games on UGA's campus in Foley Field
Foley Field
Foley Field is a baseball stadium in Athens, Georgia. It is the home field of the University of Georgia Bulldogs college baseball team. The stadium holds 3,291 people....
, and are currently coached by head coach David Perno
David Perno
David Perno is the head coach of the baseball team at the University of Georgia. Now in his ninth season as their head coach, he has compiled a record of 300-230-1 . He has led the program to five NCAA tournaments, including 3 of the last 8 College World Series. He was named the 2004 Coach of the...
.
History
The Georgia Baseball team has seen most of its success in recent years, including winning the 1990 College World Series1990 College World Series
The 1990 College World Series was played at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, NE from June 1 to June 9. The forty-fourth tournament's champion was the University of Georgia, coached by Steve Webber...
, as well as making the trip to Omaha
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
in 1987
1987 College World Series
The 1987 College World Series was played at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, NE from May 29 to June 7. The forty-first tournament's champion was Stanford University, coached by Mark Marquess. The Most Outstanding Player was Paul Carey of Stanford University. This CWS was best known for...
, 1990
1990 College World Series
The 1990 College World Series was played at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, NE from June 1 to June 9. The forty-fourth tournament's champion was the University of Georgia, coached by Steve Webber...
, 2001
2001 College World Series
The 2001 College World Series was played at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, NE from June 8 to June 16. The fifty-fifth tournament's champion was the University of Miami, coached by Jim Morris...
, 2004
2004 College World Series
The 2004 College World Series was held June 18 through 28, 2004 in Omaha, Nebraska. Eight NCAA Division I college baseball teams met after having played their way through a 64-team bracket to play at historic Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium....
, 2006
2006 College World Series
The 2006 College World Series was held June 16-26 in Omaha, Nebraska; it was the 60th College World Series and the 57th series held in Omaha. Eight NCAA Division I college baseball teams met after having advanced through a 64-team bracket to play at historic Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium...
, and 2008
2008 College World Series
The 2008 College World Series was held June 14 through June 25, in Omaha, Nebraska. Eight NCAA Division I college baseball teams met after having played their way through a 64-team bracket to play at historic Rosenblatt Stadium...
. The Diamond Dawgs, as they are called, are coached by David Perno
David Perno
David Perno is the head coach of the baseball team at the University of Georgia. Now in his ninth season as their head coach, he has compiled a record of 300-230-1 . He has led the program to five NCAA tournaments, including 3 of the last 8 College World Series. He was named the 2004 Coach of the...
.
In its history, the team has claimed five Southeastern Conference
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
tournament titles, in 1933, 1954, 1955, 2001, and 2004, and five regular season conference titles, in 1933, 1953, 1954, 2004, and 2008.
The program dates back to 1886 and, according to former Sports Information Director Dan Magill
Dan Magill
Daniel Hamilton "Dan" Magill, Jr., longtime Sports Information Director, Head Tennis Coach, and Georgia Bulldog Club secretary for the University of Georgia, is known throughout the state of Georgia and the South for his unparalleled contributions to the Georgia Bulldog athletic program...
, was once the most popular sport on campus. However, from the mid-1950s to the late-1980s, and then through most of the 1990s, there were only scattered bright spots as the team managed only a modicum of success.
Since 2001, however, the program has enjoyed quite a resurgence, winning three championships in the perennial stalwart Southeastern Conference
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
and participating in the College World Series
College World Series
The College World Series or CWS is an annual baseball tournament held in Omaha, Nebraska that is the culmination of the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship, which determines the NCAA Division I college baseball champion. The eight teams are split into two, four-team, double-elimination brackets,...
four times in those seven seasons.
The Georgia-Georgia Tech baseball rivalry is one of the South's most fierce, and the teams' annual Spring Baseball Classic at Turner Field
Turner Field
Turner Field is a stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, home to Major League Baseball's Atlanta Braves since 1997. Turner Field was originally built as Centennial Olympic Stadium, it was completed in 1996 to serve as the centerpiece of the 1996 Summer Olympics...
draws some of the largest crowds in college baseball (the 2004 game was seen by 28,836 spectators, the second-largest crowd in college baseball history).
The team has seen several of its former players move on to successful professional careers, most notably former New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
pitcher Spud Chandler
Spud Chandler
Spurgeon Ferdinand "Spud" Chandler was an American right-handed starting pitcher in major league baseball, who played his entire career for the New York Yankees from 1937 through 1947...
. Also, St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
pitcher Cris Carpenter
Cris Carpenter
Cris Howell Carpenter is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He is an alumnus of the University of Georgia....
(not to be confused with Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter
Chris Carpenter
Christopher John Carpenter is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who has played for the St. Louis Cardinals since 2003, and is currently signed with the team until the 2011 season, with a club option for 2012.Carpenter was 22 years old and a highly-regarded prospect when he broke into the...
), pitcher Derek Lilliquist
Derek Lilliquist
Derek Jansen Lilliquist , is a retired professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1989-1996. He later became a minor league pitching coach for the St. Louis Cardinals and was named their major league bullpen coach on November 2, 2010.-External links:...
, Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
pitcher Dave Fleming
Dave Fleming
David Anthony Fleming is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played from 1991 to 1995, mostly for the Seattle Mariners.Fleming was born in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York, and went to high school in Mahopac, New York...
, Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
second basemen Gordon Beckham
Gordon Beckham
James Gordon Beckham III is a baseball infielder, who plays for the Chicago White Sox.-Personal life:...
and Georgia high school football coaching legend Billy Henderson played for the Bulldogs.
Head coaches
The Bulldogs have had 24 head coaches in the history of their baseball program:| Coach | Seasons | Wins | Losses | Ties | Win % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | David Perno David Perno David Perno is the head coach of the baseball team at the University of Georgia. Now in his ninth season as their head coach, he has compiled a record of 300-230-1 . He has led the program to five NCAA tournaments, including 3 of the last 8 College World Series. He was named the 2004 Coach of the... |
2002- | 251 | 180 | 1 | .581 |
| 23 | Ron Polk Ron Polk Ronald Polk was a long-time head baseball coach at Mississippi State and is considered the "Father of SEC Baseball". He is by far the winningest coach in school and SEC history in all sports. In 28 seasons as the coach, he has to date compiled a 1139-590-2 record. His career record stands at... |
2000-01 | 79 | 48 | 0 | .622 |
| 22 | Robert Sapp | 1997-99 | 77 | 87 | 1 | .467 |
| 21 | Steve Webber Steve Webber Steve Webber is the current pitching coach for the Tucson Padres of the Pacific Coast League, a farm team of the San Diego Padres. Webber played college baseball at Southern Illinois University and participated in the 1969 College World Series... |
1981-1996 | 500 | 403 | 1 | .553 |
| 20 | Roy Umstattd | 1976-80 | 130 | 100 | 1 | .562 |
| 19 | Nolen Richardson Nolen Richardson Clifford Nolen Richardson was a third baseman in Major League Baseball. He was born on January 18, 1903 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He attended college at the University of Georgia and was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity.... |
1951 | 12 | 13 | 0 | .480 |
| 18 | Jim Whatley | 1950, 52-75 | 336 | 327 | 3 | .504 |
| 17 | Charley Trippi Charley Trippi Charles Louis Trippi is a former professional American football player for the Chicago Cardinals. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1968.Mr. Trippi currently resides in Athens, Georgia... |
1948-49 | 34 | 18 | 0 | .654 |
| 16 | J. B. Whitworth Jennings B. Whitworth -Additional sources:* Stoddard, Tom, Turnaround, 1996, The Black Belt Press, ISBN 1-881320-70-7* Hooper, Matt "". Birmingham Weekly-External links:... |
1943 | 1 | 10 | 0 | .091 |
| 15 | J. V. Sikes Jules V. Sikes -External links:*... |
1938-42, 46-47 | 98 | 63 | 1 | .605 |
| 14 | Vernon Smith Vernon Smith (football) Vernon "Catfish" Smith was an American football, basketball, and baseball player, coach, and military officer in the United States. A three-sport athlete at the University of Georgia, Smith was named to the 1931 College Football All-America Team as an end... |
1934-37 | 30 | 45 | 0 | .400 |
| 13 | W. P. White | 1921-33 | 224 | 100 | 7 | .677 |
| 12 | Herman Stegeman Herman Stegeman -Sources: -External links:* at College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com*... |
1919-20 | 31 | 13 | 2 | .674 |
| 11 | Glenn Colby | 1918 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| 10 | J. G. Henderson | 1917 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| 9 | Joe Bean | 1914-16 | 33 | 16 | 1 | .660 |
| 8 | Frank B. Anderson | 1910-13 | 51 | 16 | 3 | .729 |
| 7 | W. J. Lewis | 1909 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| 6 | Hammond Johnson Hammond Johnson E. Hammond Johnson is a former head coach of the University of Virginia college football program from 1907-1907.-Head coaching record:-External links:... |
1908 | 20 | 2 | 0 | .909 |
| 5 | Tommy Stouch | 1906-07 | 12 | 9 | 0 | .571 |
| 4 | William A. Reynolds William A. Reynolds -External links:... |
1902-03 | 13 | 9 | 1 | .565 |
| 3 | Marvin D. Dickinson Marvin D. Dickinson -External links:* Reed, Thomas Walter . Athens, Georgia: University of Georgia Press. History of the University of Georgia; Chapter XVII: Athletics at the University from the Beginning Through 1947... |
1901, 04-05 | 18 | 14 | 0 | .563 |
| 2 | Hughie Jennings Hughie Jennings Hugh Ambrose Jennings was a Major League Baseball player and manager from 1891 to 1925. Jennings was a leader, both as a batter and as a shortstop, with the Baltimore Orioles teams that won National League championships in 1894, 1895, and 1896. During the three championship seasons, Jennings had... |
1895-97 | 5 | 17 | 0 | .227 |
| 1 | C. E. Morris | 1886 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
National Championships
Georgia claimed the 1990 College World Series1990 College World Series
The 1990 College World Series was played at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, NE from June 1 to June 9. The forty-fourth tournament's champion was the University of Georgia, coached by Steve Webber...
championship with a 2-1 win over Oklahoma State. Steve Webber
Steve Webber
Steve Webber is the current pitching coach for the Tucson Padres of the Pacific Coast League, a farm team of the San Diego Padres. Webber played college baseball at Southern Illinois University and participated in the 1969 College World Series...
coached the team and Mike Rebhan
Mike Rebhan
Michael H. Rebhan is a former college baseball player for the Georgia Bulldogs baseball team. In 1990, Rebhan led the Bulldogs to the 1990 College World Series championship and earned the honor of College World Series Most Outstanding Player.Prior to playing collegiate baseball, he attended...
was named Most Outstanding Player
College World Series Most Outstanding Player
The College World Series Most Outstanding Player is an award for the best individual performance during the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska. The recipient of the award is announced at the completion of the College World Series Championship Game...
of the series.
Georgia in the NCAA Tournament
Overall Tournament Records- Appearances: 8
- Record: 40-24
- CWS Record: 10-11
1987 College World Series
1987 College World Series
The 1987 College World Series was played at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, NE from May 29 to June 7. The forty-first tournament's champion was Stanford University, coached by Mark Marquess. The Most Outstanding Player was Paul Carey of Stanford University. This CWS was best known for...
- Coach: Steve WebberSteve WebberSteve Webber is the current pitching coach for the Tucson Padres of the Pacific Coast League, a farm team of the San Diego Padres. Webber played college baseball at Southern Illinois University and participated in the 1969 College World Series...
- Finish: T-7th
- Record: 0-2
- Lost to Stanford (3-2) and Arkansas (5-4)
1990 College World Series
1990 College World Series
The 1990 College World Series was played at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, NE from June 1 to June 9. The forty-fourth tournament's champion was the University of Georgia, coached by Steve Webber...
- Coach: Steve WebberSteve WebberSteve Webber is the current pitching coach for the Tucson Padres of the Pacific Coast League, a farm team of the San Diego Padres. Webber played college baseball at Southern Illinois University and participated in the 1969 College World Series...
- Seed: 4
- Finish: 1st
- Record: 4-1
- Def. Mississippi State (3-0), def. Stanford (16-2), lost to Stanford (4-2), def. Stanford (5-1), and def. Oklahoma State (2-1)
- Most Outstanding PlayerCollege World Series Most Outstanding PlayerThe College World Series Most Outstanding Player is an award for the best individual performance during the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska. The recipient of the award is announced at the completion of the College World Series Championship Game...
: Mike RebhanMike RebhanMichael H. Rebhan is a former college baseball player for the Georgia Bulldogs baseball team. In 1990, Rebhan led the Bulldogs to the 1990 College World Series championship and earned the honor of College World Series Most Outstanding Player.Prior to playing collegiate baseball, he attended...
2001 College World Series
2001 College World Series
The 2001 College World Series was played at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, NE from June 8 to June 16. The fifty-fifth tournament's champion was the University of Miami, coached by Jim Morris...
- Coach: Ron PolkRon PolkRonald Polk was a long-time head baseball coach at Mississippi State and is considered the "Father of SEC Baseball". He is by far the winningest coach in school and SEC history in all sports. In 28 seasons as the coach, he has to date compiled a 1139-590-2 record. His career record stands at...
- Seed: 6
- Finish: T-7th
- Record: 0-2
- Lost to Southern Cal (11-5) and Tennessee (19-12)
2004 College World Series
2004 College World Series
The 2004 College World Series was held June 18 through 28, 2004 in Omaha, Nebraska. Eight NCAA Division I college baseball teams met after having played their way through a 64-team bracket to play at historic Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium....
- Coach: David PernoDavid PernoDavid Perno is the head coach of the baseball team at the University of Georgia. Now in his ninth season as their head coach, he has compiled a record of 300-230-1 . He has led the program to five NCAA tournaments, including 3 of the last 8 College World Series. He was named the 2004 Coach of the...
- Seed: 4
- Finish: 4th
- Record: 2-2
- Def. Arizona (8-7), lost to Texas (9-3), def. Arizona (3-1), lost to Texas (7-6)
2006 College World Series
2006 College World Series
The 2006 College World Series was held June 16-26 in Omaha, Nebraska; it was the 60th College World Series and the 57th series held in Omaha. Eight NCAA Division I college baseball teams met after having advanced through a 64-team bracket to play at historic Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium...
- Coach: David PernoDavid PernoDavid Perno is the head coach of the baseball team at the University of Georgia. Now in his ninth season as their head coach, he has compiled a record of 300-230-1 . He has led the program to five NCAA tournaments, including 3 of the last 8 College World Series. He was named the 2004 Coach of the...
- Seed: 7
- Finish: T-7th
- Record: 0-2
- Lost to Rice (6-4) and Oregon State (5-3)
2008 College World Series
2008 College World Series
The 2008 College World Series was held June 14 through June 25, in Omaha, Nebraska. Eight NCAA Division I college baseball teams met after having played their way through a 64-team bracket to play at historic Rosenblatt Stadium...
- Coach: David PernoDavid PernoDavid Perno is the head coach of the baseball team at the University of Georgia. Now in his ninth season as their head coach, he has compiled a record of 300-230-1 . He has led the program to five NCAA tournaments, including 3 of the last 8 College World Series. He was named the 2004 Coach of the...
- Seed: 8
- Finish: 2nd
- Record: 4-2
- Def. Miami (7-4), def. Stanford (4-3), def. Stanford (10-8), def. Fresno St. (7-6), lost to Fresno St. (19-10), lost to Fresno St. (6-1)