Kansas Jayhawks baseball

In today's world, Kansas Jayhawks baseball is a recurring theme that has caught the attention of millions of people around the world. Its relevance has transcended borders and its impact has been felt in various areas. Since its emergence, Kansas Jayhawks baseball has aroused the interest of experts and fans alike, generating debates, research and reflections that seek to understand its meaning and influence on society. Over time, Kansas Jayhawks baseball has become a phenomenon that leaves no one indifferent, challenging established perceptions and beliefs. In this article, we will closely explore the impact of Kansas Jayhawks baseball in different contexts and the implications it has on everyday life.

Kansas Jayhawks baseball
2025 Kansas Jayhawks baseball team
Founded1867 (1867) (Club)
1880 (1880) (Varsity)
Overall record2,067-1,995-18 (.509)
(Varsity-only record)
UniversityUniversity of Kansas
Head coachDan Fitzgerald (3rd season)
ConferenceBig 12
LocationLawrence, Kansas
Home stadiumHoglund Ballpark
(Capacity: 2,500)
NicknameJayhawks
ColorsCrimson and blue[1]
   
College World Series appearances
1993
NCAA regional champions
1993
NCAA Tournament appearances
1993, 1994, 2006, 2009, 2014
Conference tournament champions
Big 12: 2006
Regular season conference champions
Big Eight: 1922, 1923, 1949

The Kansas Jayhawks baseball team represents the University of Kansas and competes in the Big 12 Conference of NCAA Division I. The Kansas Jayhawks are coached by Dan Fitzgerald.

History

​While the University of Kansas officially recognized baseball as a varsity sport in 1880, club baseball activities occurred on campus prior to this date and six baseball letters were awarded as early as 1874. Notably, in 1867, a team representing the University of Kansas played games against local clubs such as the Topeka Shawnees and the Lawrence Kaw Valleys at the Kansas State Fair. Baseball clubs representing the university would continue to play games against local area teams until becoming a varsity sport in 1880. With its status as a varsity athletic program in 1880, it is recognized as one of the oldest college baseball programs in the United States. [2]

In 1993, the Jayhawks went to the 1993 College World Series in Omaha, NE.[3] This was their first, and so far, only CWS appearance. The Jayhawks were led by All-Americans Jeff Berblinger, Jeff Neimeier and Jimmy Walker into the Mideast Regional in Knoxville, Tenn. After losing their first game to Fresno State, 7–4, the Jayhawks rebounded against host Tennessee for a 3–2 win. Jayhawk Freshman Jamie Splittorff, son of former Kansas City Royal Paul Splittorff, got the win for KU going 81⁄3 innings. KU then trounced Rutgers, 8–2, and Clemson, 9–1, to set up the all important re-match with Fresno State. Jayhawk coach Dave Bingham turned to Walker, who had been a reliever all season for KU, to start the Regional Final. Walker didn't disappoint as he pitched a complete game and the Jayhawks won in 10 innings, with some late game magic. Down 2–1 in the bottom of the ninth with one out, Berblinger tripled. One out later, Berblinger scored on Josh Igou's infield hit to force extra innings. In the tenth, Brent Wilhelm scored on Darryl Monroe's hot shot to short stop. Once in Omaha the joy was short-lived, as the Jayhawks lost to Texas A&M, and then Long Beach State for an early exit.

The Jayhawks returned to the Regionals in 1994, earning a bid to the Atlantic II Regional in Tallahassee, Fla.

The Jayhawks would once again find themselves in a regional in the 2006 NCAA Division I baseball tournament after winning the 2006 Big 12 Conference baseball tournament.[4] That year KU traveled to Corvallis, Oregon for the Corvallis Regional. KU went 1–2 and did not advance.

The Jayhawks made the 2009 NCAA Division I baseball tournament as a 3 seed in the Chapel Hill Regional and went 2–2. They went 1–1 against 2-seed Coastal Carolina,[5] defeated 4-seed Dartmouth,[6] and were finally knocked out by 1-seed and regional winner North Carolina in the last game of the regional.[7]

In 2014, the Jayhawks made their 5th NCAA tournament appearance,[8] but were eliminated after losing 8-6 against Kentucky and finishing 1–2 in the Louisville Regional.[9]

Kansas in the NCAA tournament

Year Record Pct Notes
1993 4–3 .571 College World Series 7th place, Mideast Regional
1994 1–2 .333 Atlantic II Regional
2006 1–2 .333 Corvallis Regional
2009 2–2 .500 Chapel Hill Regional
2014 1–2 .333 Louisville Regional
TOTALS
 9–11 .450

First team All-Americans

  • 1954 – John Trombold, OF (ABCA)
  • 1980 – Matt Gundelfinger, DH (ABCA)
  • 1993 – Jeff Berblinger, 2B (NCBWA)
  • 1996 – Josh Kliner, 2B (ABCA, Baseball America)
  • 2006 – Don Czyz, P (NCBWA)

MLB players

Current

Kansas has no active players in MLB, but Rob Thomson, manager of the Philadelphia Phillies, played for Kansas from 1983 to 1985.[10]

Former

Player Year(s) Team(s) Awards
Bob Allison 1958–70 Washington Senators, Minnesota Twins 1959 AL Rookie of the Year, 3-time All-Star
Ferrell Anderson 1946,1953 Brooklyn Dodgers, St. Louis Cardinals  
Jeff Berblinger 1997 St. Louis Cardinals  
Herb Bradley 1927–1929 Boston Red Sox  
Clay Christiansen 1984 New York Yankees  
Chuck Dobson 1966–71, 73–75 Kansas City / Oakland A's, California Angels  
Bob Edmundson 1906,08 Washington Senators  
Dale Gear 1896–97, 1901 Cleveland Spiders, Washington Senators  
Tom Gorzelanny 2005-2016 Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs, Washington Nationals, Milwaukee Brewers, Detroit Tigers, Cleveland Indians  
Harry Huston 1906 Philadelphia Phillies  
Skip James 1977–78 San Francisco Giants  
Steve Jeltz 1983–90 Philadelphia Phillies, Kansas City Royals  
Larry Miller 1964–66 Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets  
John Nelson 2006 St. Louis Cardinals  
Ray Pierce 1924–26 Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies  
Steve Renko 1969–83 Montreal Expos, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Oakland A's, Boston Red Sox, California Angels, Kansas City Royals  
Curt Schmidt 1995 Montreal Expos  
Roger Slagle 1979 New York Yankees  
Scott Taylor 1995 Texas Rangers  
Les Walrond 2003, 2006, 2008 Kansas City Royals, Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies  

See also

References

  1. ^ "Color | Brand Center". Retrieved May 19, 2017.
  2. ^ https://www.kancoll.org/khq/1940/40_2_evans.htm
  3. ^ Archives, L. A. Times (1993-06-01). "BASEBALL / NCAA REGIONALS : Kansas, Oklahoma State Advance to the World Series". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2023-10-24.
  4. ^ Shroyer, Shawn (2006-06-14). "Success marks 2006 season". The University Daily Kansan. Retrieved 2024-08-13.
  5. ^ "KU baseball falls to Coastal Carolina, 11-3". KU Sports. 29 May 2009. Retrieved 2024-08-13.
  6. ^ "KU throttles Dartmouth". KU Sports. 30 May 2009. Retrieved 2024-08-13.
  7. ^ "North Carolina Eliminates Kansas Baseball from NCAA Tournament". University of Kansas. 2009-05-31. Retrieved 2024-08-13.
  8. ^ Tait, Matt (26 May 2014). "KU baseball headed to NCAA Tournament". KU Sports. Retrieved 2024-08-13.
  9. ^ REPORTS, STAFF AND WIRE. "KU baseball drops elimination game to Kentucky, 8-6". The Topeka Capital-Journal. Retrieved 2024-08-13.
  10. ^ Kansas Jayhawks in Pro Ball
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