Georgia Bulldogs baseball
Baseball team of the University of Georgia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Georgia Bulldogs baseball team represents the University of Georgia in NCAA Division I college baseball. The team participates in the Southeastern Conference. The Bulldogs are currently coached by Wes Johnson and play their home games at Foley Field. They have competed in the College World Series seven times, with their first and only national championship coming in 1990.
| Georgia Bulldogs baseball | |
|---|---|
 2026 Georgia Bulldogs baseball team | |
| |
| Founded | 1886 |
| Overall record | 2,502–1,889–24 (.569) |
| University | University of Georgia |
| Athletic director | Josh Brooks |
| Head coach | Wes Johnson (3rd season) |
| Conference | SEC |
| Location | Athens, Georgia |
| Home stadium | Foley Field (capacity: 3,633) |
| Nickname | Bulldogs |
| Colors | Red and black[1] |
| College World Series champions | |
| 1990 | |
| College World Series runner-up | |
| 2008 | |
| College World Series appearances | |
| 1987, 1990, 2001, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2026 | |
| NCAA regional champions | |
| 1987, 1990, 2001, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2024, 2026 | |
| NCAA tournament appearances | |
| 1953, 1954, 1987, 1990, 1992, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2024, 2025, 2026 | |
| Conference tournament champions | |
| 2026 | |
| Conference regular season champions | |
| 1908, 1914, 1919, 1933, 1953, 1954, 1987, 2001, 2004, 2008, 2026 | |
History
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The Georgia Baseball team has seen most of its success in recent years, including winning the 1990 College World Series, as well as making the trip to the College World Series in 1987, 1990, 2001, 2004, 2006, 2008, and 2026.[2]
In its history, the team has claimed eight Southeastern Conference regular season conference titles, in 1933, 1953, 1954, 1987, 2001, 2004, 2008, and 2026. The Bulldogs have won the SEC baseball tournament once in 2026.[2]
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 eight seasons.[2]
The Georgia-Georgia Tech baseball rivalry is one of the South's most fierce, and the teams' annual Spring Baseball Classic at Truist Park 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).
Head coaches
The Bulldogs have had 26 head coaches in the history of their baseball program:[3] Current head coach Wes Johnson has earned SEC Coach of the Year honors.[4]
Records through the 2024 season.
| Coach | Seasons | Wins | Losses | Ties | Win % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | Wes Johnson | 2024–present | 43 | 17 | 0 | .717 |
| 25 | Scott Stricklin | 2014–23 | 299 | 236 | 1 | .557 |
| 24 | David Perno | 2002–13 | 390 | 333 | 1 | .544 |
| 23 | Ron Polk | 2000–01 | 79 | 48 | 0 | .622 |
| 22 | Robert Sapp | 1997–99 | 77 | 87 | 1 | .467 |
| 21 | Steve Webber | 1981–96 | 500 | 403 | 1 | .553 |
| 20 | Roy Umstattd | 1976–80 | 130 | 100 | 1 | .562 |
| 19 | Nolen Richardson | 1951 | 12 | 13 | 0 | .480 |
| 18 | Jim Whatley | 1950, 1952–75 | 336 | 327 | 3 | .504 |
| 17 | Charley Trippi | 1948–49 | 34 | 18 | 0 | .654 |
| 16 | J. B. Whitworth | 1943 | 1 | 10 | 0 | .091 |
| 15 | J. V. Sikes | 1938–42, 1946–47 | 98 | 63 | 1 | .605 |
| 14 | Vernon Smith | 1934–37 | 30 | 45 | 0 | .400 |
| 13 | W. P. White | 1921–33 | 224 | 100 | 7 | .677 |
| 12 | Herman Stegeman | 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 | 1908 | 20 | 2 | 0 | .909 |
| 5 | Tommy Stouch | 1906-07 | 12 | 9 | 0 | .571 |
| 4 | William A. Reynolds | 1902-03 | 13 | 9 | 1 | .565 |
| 3 | Marvin D. Dickinson | 1901, 04-05 | 18 | 14 | 0 | .563 |
| 2 | Hughie Jennings | 1895-97 | 5 | 17 | 0 | .227 |
| 1 | C. E. Morris | 1886 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
Championships
National championships
| Year | Coach | Record | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Steve Webber | 52–19 | Beat Oklahoma State, 2–1 |
| Total National Championships: 1 | |||
College World Series appearances
| Year | Coach | Record | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Steve Webber | 42–21 | 4–1 in Northeast Regional, 0–2 in CWS |
| 1990 | Steve Webber | 52–19 | 4–1 in Northeast Regional, 4–1 in CWS, National Champions |
| 2001 | Ron Polk | 47–22 | 4–1 in Athens Regional, 2–1 in Athens Super Regional, 0–2 in CWS |
| 2004 | David Perno | 45–23 | 3–1 in Athens Regional, 2–0 in Atlanta Super Regional, 2–2 in CWS |
| 2006 | David Perno | 47–23 | 4–1 in Athens Regional, 2–1 in Atlanta Super Regional, 0–2 in CWS |
| 2008 | David Perno | 45–25–1 | 4–1 in Athens Regional, 2–1 in Athens Super Regional, 4–2 in CWS |
| 2026 | Wes Johnson | TBD | 3–0 in Athens Regional, 2–0 in Athens Super Regional, TBD in CWS |
| Total College World Series appearances: 7 | |||
SEC regular season championships
| Season | Coach | Overall record | SEC record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1933 | W. P. White | 12–3–1 | 8–1 |
| 1953 | Jim Whatley | 23–5 | 12–4 |
| 1954 | Jim Whatley | 16–9 | 11–4 |
| 1987[a] | Steve Webber | 42–21 | 18–10 |
| 2001 | Ron Polk | 47–22 | 20–10 |
| 2004 | David Perno | 45–23 | 19–11 |
| 2008 | David Perno | 45–25–1 | 20–9–1 |
| 2026 | Wes Johnson | 51–12 | 23–7 |
| SEC regular season championships: 8 | |||
SEC Tournament championships
| Season | Coach | Opponent | Score | Site | Overall record | SEC record | Tournament record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Wes Johnson | Arkansas | 11–17 | Hoover, AL | 51–12 | 23–7 | 3–0 |
| SEC Tournament championships: 1 | |||||||
Player awards
National awards
- Baseball America Player of the Year Award
- Derek Lilliquist (1983)
- Baseball America Freshman of the Year Award
- Ron Wenrich (1985)
- Golden Spikes Award
- Charlie Condon (2024)
- Dick Howser Trophy
- Charlie Condon (2024)
- Daniel Jackson (2026)
SEC Awards
- Joshua Fields (2008)
- Gordon Beckham (2008)
- Charlie Condon (2024)
- Daniel Jackson (2026)
- Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Year
- Charlie Condon (2023)
Georgia's 1st Team All-Americans
| Player | Position | Year(s) | Selectors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Derek Lilliquist | Pitcher | 1987† | ABCA, BA |
| Josh Morris | First Base | 2006 | College Baseball Foundation |
| Joshua Fields | Pitcher | 2008 | CB, NCBWA |
| Gordon Beckham | Shortstop | 2008† | ABCA, BA, CB, NCBWA |
| Rich Poythress | Designated hitter | 2009 | BA |
| Hunter Beck | Pitcher | 2009 | BA, CB |
| Aaron Schunk | Utility | 2019 | BA |
| Source:"SEC All-Americas". secsports.com. Archived from the original on May 28, 2008. Retrieved July 24, 2008.
ABCA: American Baseball Coaches Association[citation needed] BA: Baseball America[citation needed] CB: Collegiate Baseball[citation needed] NCBWA: National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association[citation needed] † Denotes consensus All-American | |||
Bulldogs in Major League Baseball
Fifty-three former players have gone on to play at the Major League level, including five active players:[5]
- Jonathan Cannon, pitcher, Chicago White Sox
- Kyle Farmer, shortstop, Atlanta Braves
- Emerson Hancock, pitcher, Seattle Mariners
- Aaron Schunk, third baseman, Atlanta Braves
- Jared Walsh, first baseman, Chicago White Sox
Other notable former players include:
- Alf Anderson (1941–1946) – shortstop, Pittsburgh Pirates
- Gordon Beckham (2009–2019), second baseman, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Angels, Atlanta Braves, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, Detroit Tigers
- Marty Brown (1988–1990) – third baseman, Cincinnati Reds, Baltimore Orioles
- Mitchell Boggs (2008–2013) - pitcher, St. Louis Cardinals
- Cris Carpenter (1988–1996) – pitcher, St. Louis Cardinals, Florida Marlins, Texas Rangers, Milwaukee Brewers
- Spud Chandler (1937–1947) – pitcher, New York Yankees
- Glenn Davis (1984–1993) – first baseman, Houston Astros, Baltimore Orioles
- Claud Derrick (1910–1914) – shortstop, Philadelphia Athletics, New York Yankees, Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs
- Hal Epps (1938–1944) – outfielder, St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Browns, Philadelphia Athletics
- Josh Fields (2013–2018) – pitcher, Houston Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers
- Jack Fisher (1959–1969) – pitcher, Baltimore Orioles, San Francisco Giants, New York Mets, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds
- Dave Fleming (1991–1995) – pitcher, Seattle Mariners, Kansas City Royals
- Justin Grimm (2012–2022) – pitcher, Texas Rangers, Chicago Cubs, Kansas City Royals, Seattle Mariners, Milwaukee Brewers, Oakland Athletics
- Robby Hammock (2003–2011) – catcher, Arizona Diamondbacks
- Ken Holloway (1922–1930) – pitcher, Detroit Tigers, Cleveland Indians, New York Yankees
- Jeff Keppinger (2004-2013) – infielder, New York Mets, Kansas City Royals, Cincinnati Reds, Houston Astros, San Francisco Giants, Tampa Bay Rays, Chicago White Sox
- Zac Kristofak (2024) – pitcher, Los Angeles Angels
- Derek Lilliquist (1989–1996) – pitcher, Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, Cincinnati Reds
- Cy Moore (1929–1934) – pitcher, Brooklyn Robins/Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies
- Jim Nash (1966–1972) – pitcher, Kansas City/Oakland Athletics, Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies
- Brian Powell (1998–2004) – pitcher, Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros, San Francisco Giants, Philadelphia Phillies
- Nolen Richardson (1929–1939) – third baseman, Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, Cincinnati Reds
- Johnny Riddle (1930–1948) – catcher, Chicago White Sox, Washington Senators, Boston Braves, Cincinnati Reds, Pittsburgh Pirates
- Johnny Rucker (1940–1946) – outfielder, New York Giants
- Clint Sammons (2007–2009) – catcher, Atlanta Braves
- Tully Sparks (1897–1910) – pitcher, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Giants, Boston Americans
- Jeff Treadway (1987–1995) – second baseman, Cincinnati Reds, Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Indians, Los Angeles Dodgers, Montreal Expos
- Jim Umbricht (1959–1963) – pitcher, Pittsburgh Pirates, Houston Colt .45s
- Mark Watson (2000–2003) – pitcher, Cleveland Indians, Seattle Mariners, Cincinnati Reds
- Alex Wood (2013–2024) – pitcher, Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, Cincinnati Reds, San Francisco Giants, Oakland Athletics
See also
Notes
- Georgia claims the 1987 SEC regular-season championship, having finished with the conference's best regular-season record. However, the Southeastern Conference does not officially recognize Georgia as the 1987 SEC champion, as the conference championship was awarded to the winner of the SEC Tournament, which was won by Mississippi State.
