Long Beach State University Baseball: A Legacy Forged in Dirt and Determination

Long Beach State's baseball program boasts a rich and storied history, deeply intertwined with a unique identity and a tradition of excellence. This article explores the program's evolution, its defining characteristics, and the remarkable individuals who have shaped its legacy. From its humble beginnings to its national recognition, Long Beach State baseball has cemented its place in college baseball lore.

The Dirtbag Identity: From Humble Beginnings to a Badge of Honor

Baseball is so deeply ingrained in Long Beach State's identity that players and fans alike consider being called a "Dirtbag" a true distinction. The moniker, born from the program's early days practicing on a less-than-ideal, all-dirt field, has evolved into a symbol of grit, determination, and a team-first mentality.

The story of the "Dirtbags" begins in 1989. Under first-year coach Dave Snow, the team found itself without a proper home field. Forced to practice on a rugged, all-dirt Pony League field, the players were often left filthy and bloodied. Assistant coach Dave Malpass, observing their appearance after these grueling practices, jokingly labeled them "Dirtbags."

This label, initially a lighthearted observation, quickly transformed into a badge of honor. The players embraced the name, understanding it to represent their hard work, resilience, and unwavering commitment to the game. It was a testament to their ability to overcome adversity and their dedication to playing the game the right way.

As coach Troy Buckley explains, the "Dirtbag" identity is more than just a name; it's a mentality, a quality statement about how the team approaches its work and the game itself. It's a privilege earned through dedication and a commitment to playing for something bigger than oneself.

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Defining a Dirtbag: More Than Just a Name

Mike Gallo, a Long Beach State alumnus who went on to pitch in the major leagues, perhaps best articulates what it means to be a Dirtbag. He describes it as a style of playing the game, a player who loves to play every day and commits himself fully, regardless of skill level. A Dirtbag embraces adversity and finds a way to contribute to the team's success.

The "Dirtbag" identity is a key recruiting tool. When coach Buckley is in a recruit's home, making his best pitch, when the player's mom breaks in with some questions: "Why is your team called the Dirtbags?" she'll ask. "And what exactly does the name mean?" The answer to "why?" goes back to 1989.

From Local Joke to National Recognition: The Evolution of the Dirtbags

What started as an inside joke has now become a nationally recognized symbol of Long Beach State baseball. The program proudly displays the "Dirtbags" name. A banner at the entrance to Blair Field proclaims it as "Home of Dirtbags Baseball," and the team's nickname is officially the Dirtbags.

The Dirtbags' reputation extends beyond Long Beach. On the road, players and staff constantly find themselves explaining the origin and meaning of the name. While the term "dirtbag" often carries a negative connotation in everyday language, Long Beach State has successfully redefined it, associating it with positive qualities like hard work, determination, and a team-first attitude.

This transformation has been so successful that even opponents have taken notice. Buckley recalls Cal State Fullerton selling infant apparel with, "Don't let your babies grow up to be Dirtbags," highlighting the program's unique identity and its impact on the college baseball landscape.

The Dave Snow Era: Building a Foundation of Excellence

Dave Snow, who coached the Dirtbags from 1989 to 2001, played a pivotal role in establishing the program's identity and success. Hired after a dismal 14-45 season, Snow quickly turned the program around, leading the Dirtbags to a 50-15 record in his first year and a College World Series appearance.

Snow and Malpass specifically went looking for hard-nosed guys with something to prove. "We kind of took a bunch of guys that nobody else wanted that were sitting out there and kind of found them and put them in a home, and it just kind of grew from there," Snow says.

Snow instilled a culture of hard work, discipline, and a team-first mentality. He emphasized the importance of earning the right to be called a Dirtbag, requiring players to embody the values and characteristics associated with the name.

Under Snow's leadership, the Dirtbags reached the College World Series four times, won six conference titles, and established themselves as a perennial powerhouse on the West Coast. Snow's impact extended beyond the field, as he worked with marketing director John Costello to raise the program's profile and garner community support.

Blair Field: A Home Worthy of the Dirtbags

Recognizing the importance of a quality facility, Snow and Costello successfully lobbied for upgrades to Blair Field, transforming it into one of the nicer college baseball stadiums at the time.

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The improvements to Blair Field, combined with the team's success and the marketing of the "Dirtbags" identity, fostered a strong connection between the program and the Long Beach community. Blair Field became a place where fans could witness the Dirtbags' unique brand of baseball and celebrate their achievements.

Long Beach State in the Major Leagues

Long Beach State has a proud history of producing players who have gone on to excel in Major League Baseball. Numerous Dirtbags have not only reached the highest level of the sport but have also made significant contributions to their respective teams.

World Series Appearances

Beach alumni have appeared in several World Series over the decades, part of the rich tradition of campus athletes who have performed at high levels in international and professional competitions.

George "Red" Witt ‘61, ‘70 was already playing professional baseball while enrolled. A Jan. 8, 1958, article in “The Forty-Niner" reported that Witt, 24 years old at the time, was one of two on-campus pros who had signed up to assist Long Beach State’s baseball coach. Witt won a World Series ring with the 1960 Pirates, participating as a relief pitcher according to a Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) bio.

Outfielder Rod Gaspar ‘68 and the “Miracle Mets” won the 1989 World Series over the Baltimore Orioles. Gaspar even scored the winning run in Game Four when he dashed to home plate all the way from second base when a teammate bunted for a single during the 10th inning, according to his Long Beach State Hall of Fame Bio.

Jason Giambi was a member of the Yankees when he played during the 2003 World Series, won by the Florida Marlins. A five-time All Star, per Baseball Reference.com, Giambi won the American League MVP in 2000 while playing for the Oakland Athletics.

Mike Gallo took the mound for the Houston Astros during the 2005 World Series. That was the only time the Astros represented the National League in the Fall Classic and, ultimately, a victory for the Chicago White Sox.

Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki played in the Colorado Rockies only World Series appearance, the 2007 Fall Classic that concluded with a Boston Red Sox championship. Beforehand, Colorado’s string of wins on the way to the National League pennant led to the origination of the term “Rocktober.” Tulowitzki was a five-time All Star and was inducted in the Long Beach State Hall of Fame in 1993.

Third baseman Evan Longoria appeared in two World Series, playing with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2008 and Arizona Diamondbacks in 2023. In the former series, he even competed against another former Dirtbag. Philadelphia Phillies utility player Greg Dobbs played for Long Beach State before transferring to Oklahoma.

Infielder Matt Duffy and the San Francisco Giants triumphed in the 2014 World Series, a contest that featured one more Dirtbag - Kansas City Royals pitcher Jason Vargas - on the playing field. The two alumni even went head-to-head, and Duffy hit a single against Vargas during the series.

Bryan Shaw, who became the 40th Long Beach State player to reach the majors in 2011, was part of baseball history in 2016 when the Chicago Cubs won the World Series after going more than a century since their last championship.

These players, among others, have carried the "Dirtbag" mentality with them to the major leagues, embodying the program's values of hard work, determination, and a team-first approach.

Yosuke “Possum” Nakajima: From Equipment Manager to MLB Trainer

The university also has a proud history of Dirtbags going on to play and coach in the major leagues. Hardball fans watching the 2024 World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees, which begins tonight at Dodger Stadium, may catch a glimpse of former Dirtbag Yosuke “Possum” Nakajima '05 in the Los Angeles dugout. Nakajima formerly the Dirtbags’ equipment manager, is an assistant athletic trainer for the Dodgers, having served on the organization’s staff for more than two decades as the Long Beach State team’s equipment manager, according to the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society. "Long Beach State taught me about winning," Nakajima said.

All-Time Starting Nine: Honoring the Program's Best

Selecting an all-time starting nine for Long Beach State is a difficult task, given the program's rich history and the numerous talented players who have donned the Dirtbags uniform. However, some players stand out for their exceptional performance and their contributions to the program's success.

Catcher: Kennedy was a machine. His name litters the record book across the board. From 1998 to 2001 he played 200 games (sixth all time) and started 195 of them (fourth). While playing solid catcher, he finished his career tops in Long Beach State history in doubles (60) and RBI (183) while finding his way into the top-10 in hits (224), runs (150), and total bases (316). He began his career as a Freshman All-American and earned two more All-Conference honors along the way.
First Base: Townley was the first All-American in Long Beach State history, so that should automatically help him edge out any competition. His .404 batting average is still second-best all time, and his 28-game hitting streak is the longest in LBSU history. He left the program as the leader in several categories, including home runs and RBI. Towney earned his nod for being the first All-American in Long Beach and Barbara was the first Big West Player of the Year in program history, so his spot was an easy choice. Well, that and the .474 batting average he put up in 1990 as the Division I Hitter of the Year. A member of the first-ever CWS team, Barbara's name can still be found in the record books.
Second Base: Gill was one of the few that experienced the dramatic turnaround as the starting second baseman.
Shortstop: Crosby gets the slight edge and the start, however. Yet another three-time All-Big West player, Crosby earned BWC Player of the Year honors in 2001. He is still in the top-10 in both hits and home runs in the LBSU record books.
Third Base: Longo had a 2006 to remember. He won Big West Player of the Year on the way to becoming just the second Golden Spikes finalist in program history. He had tools across the board, able to hit for average, home runs and was an RBI machine in his two years in Long Beach.
Outfield: Cradle was a starter on two of the four Long Beach State CWS teams in the history of the program. He is its all-time leader in games (228), steals (78) and runs scored (180). Cradle is also second in walks. Sledge was a beast for the Dirtbags, a key part of their most prolific offense of the 1990s if not program history. Sledge led the team in runs scored in both seasons he was in Long Beach, including a single-season record 99 in 1998. His .369 batting average is sixth all time, while his 22 home runs are third. This was probably the least fun position to pick, and if this was a real lineup, it would be one of those cliched good problems to have. Paul Day was the 1998 Big West Player of the Year and his All-American campaign still has him in the top-10 in average (.377), RBI (131) and home runs (20). Jeff Liefer is the all-time home run leader (30) in Long Beach and though he spent a lot of time at designated hitter, it was tough to ignore him. And don’t forget Jason Giambi is a legend in Long Beach, one of just a few three-time All-Conference players.
Starting Pitcher: Weaver gets the nod. The righty went 15-1 with a 1.62 ERA and a ridiculous 213-to-21 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 144 innings pitched.
Coach: Snow has the most wins in program history, recording a .637 winning percentage behind an impressive 511-290-4 record. His teams were dominant in conference where he put together a career 71 percent win percentage. He was a five-time Big West Coach of the Year, reaching the regionals in all but two of his 13 seasons. When the Dirtbags reached the CWS for the first time in 1989, everyone took notice.

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