A Diamond Legacy: The History of Michigan State University Baseball
The Michigan State Spartans baseball team boasts a rich history dating back to its inception in 1884. As the varsity intercollegiate baseball team representing Michigan State University, located in East Lansing, Michigan, the Spartans have carved a notable place in collegiate baseball. Playing their home games at Drayton McLane Baseball Stadium at John H. Kobs Field, the team is currently led by head coach Jake Boss, who is entering his 17th season. The Spartans compete in the Big Ten Conference, striving for excellence on and off the field.
Early Years and Notable Figures
The Michigan State Spartans baseball program officially began play in 1884. Throughout its history, the team has achieved significant milestones, including five appearances in the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship. The pinnacle of their success came in 1954 when they advanced to the College World Series, ultimately securing a third-place finish.
Several individuals have left indelible marks on the program. Robin Roberts, a name synonymous with baseball excellence, initially arrived in East Lansing in 1944 as part of a United States Army Air Corps training program. After his military service, Roberts returned to Michigan State College (as it was then known) to play basketball, earning three varsity letters and twice being named captain. Following two seasons on the basketball court, Roberts transitioned to baseball, becoming a pitcher due to the team's need at that position. His time with the Spartans led to a professional career, signing with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1948. Roberts went on to win 286 games and made seven All-Star Game appearances during his 19-year MLB career.
Ed Pinnance holds the distinction of being the first Spartan to reach the major leagues, playing for the Philadelphia Athletics in 1903. He was also one of the first full-blooded Native Americans to play in MLB. Tom Yewcic, a versatile athlete, earned the College World Series Most Outstanding Player award in 1954, despite his team not winning the championship. Yewcic also led the 1953 football team to a Rose Bowl victory and had a brief professional baseball career with the Detroit Tigers.
The Modern Era
The Major League Baseball draft began in 1965, marking a new era for collegiate baseball. Dick Billings was the first Michigan State player drafted, selected in the 25th round by the Washington Senators.
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In 1974, Spartan coach Danny Litwhiler revolutionized baseball training by introducing radar to measure pitching velocity. Litwhiler's innovative approach stemmed from an article he read in the student paper about the police using radar guns to catch speeders. He realized the potential of using the same technology to measure the velocity of pitches, marking a significant advancement in baseball training techniques.
Kirk Gibson, another two-sport star, led the 1978 Michigan State Spartans football team to a co-Big Ten championship. At the suggestion of football coach Darryl Rogers, Gibson played collegiate baseball for one year, hitting .390 with 16 home runs and 52 RBIs in 48 games. He was drafted by both the Detroit Tigers (first round) and the St. Louis Cardinals (seventh round).
Mark Mulder earned All-Big Ten honors twice (1997, 1998) before embarking on a professional career that included two MLB All-Star appearances and a standout 21-8 season with the Oakland Athletics in 2001, which was chronicled in the book and film Moneyball.
Accolades and Recognition
Bob Malek (2002) and Jeff Holm (2011) have been recognized as the Big Ten Conference Baseball Player of the Year, the only two Spartans to receive this honor since its inception in 1982. Malek stands as one of the most decorated Spartans, earning several national awards and joining Don Fleser as the only two Spartans to be two-time members of the .400 club (batting average of .400 or better).
Several Spartan baseball players have received the prestigious Big Ten Medal of Honor, recognizing their combination of athletic and academic achievements. Among them is Ty Willingham (1977), who later became a successful college football coach at Notre Dame and Stanford.
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The contributions of key figures are further honored with retired numbers in East Lansing. Five Spartan players (Roberts, Garvey, Yewcic, Gibson, Mulder) and two coaches (John Kobs and Danny Litwhiler) have had their numbers retired. Additionally, the stadium is named after Drayton McLane, a Michigan State alumnus and former owner of the Houston Astros, who, along with his wife Elizabeth, donated funds for stadium renovations. The renovated stadium made history on April 4, 2009, when Spartan pitcher Nolan Moody threw a no-hitter against Northwestern in the first official game at the new facility. McLane also donated funds for the construction of the football facility at Baylor University, which is also named McLane Stadium.
The Memorable 1954 Season
The 1954 Michigan State Spartans baseball team, coached by John Kobs and assistant Frank Pellerin, achieved a remarkable season, marked by exceptional teamwork and chemistry. Despite not having superstar players, the team's camaraderie propelled them to a regular-season record of 25-10-1, securing a Big Ten Championship and a third-place finish in the College World Series.
The team's chemistry was so strong that they held regular reunions for an extended period, longer than any other athletic team in Michigan State history. As pitcher Bud Erickson noted, "Our 1954 team did not have super stars like some other Spartan baseball teams have had, but what we had was chemistry."
The journey to the College World Series began with spring training indoors at the college's Stock Pavilion due to the frigid Michigan winter. Senior Jack Zeitler, the team captain, delivered an emotional pep talk that transformed initial skepticism into a solid, reachable goal.
Tom Yewcic, a versatile athlete, was the team's catcher and leader, guiding a strong group of pitchers. The shortstop position was filled by junior John Matsock, who had an excellent arm, good range, and strong hitting skills. Sophomore Earl Morrall, who later became a star in the NFL, was another talented athlete on the team.
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The Spartans boasted excellent depth, with talented players such as George Smith, Jim Sack, Dan Brown, and Ron Stead competing for starting positions. Jack Risch emphasized the team's competitiveness and intensity, recalling tough at-bats against Bud Erickson during batting practice.
The season began with a 4-2 win at Old College Field, followed by a 9-3 victory against the University of Detroit. The Spartans then battled Wisconsin to a 3-3 tie in 13 innings. A significant win came against Illinois, the conference's defending co-champion, with a score of 17-3. Ray Collard led the attack with a triple, four singles, and six RBIs.
The Spartans continued their success, defeating Purdue 12-0, with home runs from Bob Powell and Dan Brown. They then took over first place by beating Iowa 6-3 and sweeping Minnesota in a double-header, with Yewcic going 3-for-4 with a home run.
A crucial series against the University of Michigan saw the Spartans win the first game 8-4 but lose the second 9-8. In the final weekend of the regular season, MSC swept the last three games to win the Big Ten title. They defeated Indiana 5-2 and won both games against Ohio State, withstanding a fight between Chuck Mathews and OSU shortstop Howard "Hopalong" Cassaday.
The '54 Spartans had jelled into a championship team, with hitters topping the conference with an average above .300. Ron Stead led all batsmen with a .370 mark and 12 RBIs. The team's pitching was also tough, with Bud Erickson posting a 5-0 Big Ten mark and Ed Hobaugh at 4-0.
In the NCAA District IV Regional Playoff, State outslugged Ohio University 14-10 and prevailed 5-3 in the title match, shortened by rain to five innings.
The Spartans then competed in the College World Series, where they finished third. Despite a strong pitching performance from Hobaugh, they lost to Missouri 3-3 in the top of the ninth.
The 1954 Spartans were a team of talented and competitive players who came together to achieve remarkable success. Their chemistry, determination, and resilience led them to a Big Ten Championship and a memorable run in the College World Series.
Professional Careers
Several members of the Michigan State baseball team went on to have professional careers, including Ed Hobaugh, who spent three seasons with the Washington Senators, and Bob Powell, who was signed by the Chicago White Sox. Tom Yewcic played for the Detroit Tigers before switching to football. Ray Collard was inducted into his hometown's Sports Hall of Fame for his outstanding career in the Flint, Michigan, amateur City Baseball League.
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