University of Michigan Baseball: A Legacy of Excellence
The University of Michigan Wolverines baseball program boasts a rich history spanning over a century. It has consistently been a prominent force in collegiate baseball, both within the Big Ten Conference and on the national stage. The Wolverines' baseball legacy is a tapestry woven with threads of triumph, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
The Early Years: Laying the Foundation
Michigan's baseball program was officially established in the late 1800s. From the beginning, the Wolverines quickly developed a reputation for cultivating exceptional talent and competing fiercely at the highest levels of college baseball. The earliest teams were rather informal, sometimes playing few games in a season. The book Baseball at the University of Michigan indicates that the first student team was formed in 1863. The 1873 team featured Frank Bliss, who later came to the majors. The University of Michigan played in the 1882 college championship series in the Western Baseball League, in that league's second year in existence. That same year, the college team played and lost to a professional team (April 1882). Playing catcher for that squad was Moses Fleetwood Walker. Walker would leave the school in 1883 and sign with the Toledo Blue Stockings (at time, in the Northwestern League). In 1884, the Toledo Blue Stockings joined the major league level American Association. The point of this discussion, is that the University of Michigan included in its historical group of players Walker, a man who would integrate professional baseball in 1884.
The Fisher and Lund Era: National Championships
One of the program’s most significant accomplishments came in 1953 when the Wolverines captured their first College World Series championship under head coach Ray Fisher. Coach Ray Fisher, in his 33rd season coaching the U-M program, finally made the College World Series, then in its fourth season in Omaha using the eight-team, double-elimination format. The Wolverines, led by All-American shortstop Bruce Haynam, won their first three games - against Stanford, Boston College and Texas -- by a combined 22-7 score. But the Longhorns avenged their loss to the Wolverines the next day, leaving three teams left in the field with one loss: Michigan, Texas, and Lafayette. A drawing was held, and Michigan got a bye into the final, with Texas thumping Lafayette in the play-in game. Michigan then took its own revenge on the Longhorns with a 7-5 win on June 16. That victory cemented Michigan’s place among the elite programs in college baseball and set the foundation for future success. A decade later, in 1962, the Wolverines added a second national title under legendary coach Don Lund, further solidifying their dominance. Detroit native Don Lund took over for Fisher as coach in 1959 and led the Wolverines to a 27-12 record entering the CWS. Three straight wins, over Texas, Holy Cross and Florida State, put the Wolverines in the final, though they then lost to Texas to keep the Longhorns' title hopes alive. But Santa Clara knocked off Texas to make the final. And then, things went long. Michigan ace Fritz Fisher and Santa Clara's duo of Charlie Marcenaro and Bob Garibaldi got the game into extra innings tied at 2. Fisher was replaced by Jim Bobel, while Garibaldi kept going, all the way to the 15th inning. These championships were not just victories on the field but statements of Michigan striving to be the best in all aspects of collegiate athletics.
Continued Success and College World Series Appearances
The Wolverines have made the College World Series eight times. The Wolverines have made numerous NCAA tournament appearances throughout their history: 1953, 1961, 1962, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1999, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022.
Moby Benedict, who took over for Lund in 1963 after he was hired to run the Tigers' farm system, finally made the CWS in his 16th season. The Wolverines, featuring two-sport star Rick Leach in the outfield and sophomore ace Steve Howe on the mound, opened with a 4-0 win over Baylor, but then fell to eventual champ Southern California, 11-4, two days later and were eliminated by North Carolina, 7-6, the day after that. The Wolverines trailed early in the game, 4-0, then rallied for a 6-4 lead entering the bottom of the eighth. Starter Tom Owens hit a batter and was pulled for Howe, who allowed a pinch-hit single, then gave up a three-run home run.
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The Wolverines' opening victory, 9-8 over California, gave Michigan its winningest season to date, with 36 wins. But that would be it for the Wolverines, whose bats went cold in a twin-bill the next day. First up was a loss to Miami (Fla.), 3-2, in which the Wolverines managed just five hits. That dropped Michigan into the losers bracket and set up an elimination game against Arizona. Again, Michigan managed just five hits as future major leaguer Craig Lefferts baffled the Wolverines in an 8-0 victory for the Wildcats (who eventually won the title).
The Wolverines' second straight CWS appearance under coach Bud Middaugh was their shortest yet, with two losses to open the series. First up, Mississippi State slammed the Wolverines into the losers bracket, 4-0, on a Mark Gillaspie home run off of Scott Elam in the fifth inning. The Wolverines had walked Gillaspie in each of his first two plate appearances. Two days later, the Wolverines' title hopes were ended by Texas, which scored four runs in the final two innings to eliminate Michigan, 6-5. All four of the runs came off reliever Steve Ontiveros, who had entered in the fourth inning. Ontiveros and Michigan actually had a 5-2 lead entering the fourth inning, but a rain delay paused the game for nearly two hours. Middaugh stuck with Ontiveros through the delay, and paid the price: "Steve was not throwing that bad and I felt we were better off with him in the game.
The Wolverines started off the CWS with a bang, as third baseman Chris Sabo homered in the fifth off future major leaguer Billy Swift in a 6-5 victory over Maine. The good feelings were drowned early in a Crimson Tide in the next game, as Alabama jumped out to a 6-0 lead in four innings and the Wolverines couldn't recover, falling 6-5. That set up an elimination game against Stanford the next day, which the Wolverines won, 11-4, with seven runs in the ninth inning, including a grand slam by freshman Casey Close. Michigan went on to face Texas for a spot in the championship game, two days later. For another time, the Wolverines' season was ended by one pitch -- this time, a delivery to Texas' Mike Brumley, who launched a grand slam off freshman starter Scott Kamieniecki in the fifth inning to give the Longhorns a 4-2 lead they wouldn't relinquish.
For just the second time in their eight visits to the College World Series, the Wolverines failed to win a game. First up, eventual champs Cal State Fullerton bled the Wolverines dry with aggressive baserunning, forcing three errors and scoring the go-ahead run in the eighth inning on a squeeze bunt. In the elimination game two days later, little went well for the Wolverines. They struggled with New Orleans lefty David Lynch, who pitched into the ninth inning, and fell behind early as Kamieniecki, now a sophomore, allowed seven runs in just 3 1/3 innings. In all, Michigan used six pitchers in the 11-3 rout, and every position player.
Notable Alumni: A Legacy in the Pros
Over the years, Michigan baseball has produced a wealth of Major League talent, with alumni going on to have successful professional careers. Players like Barry Larkin, Jim Abbott, and Chris Sabo exemplify the caliber of talent that has come through Ann Arbor. Larkin became a Hall of Famer, Abbott inspired the world with his remarkable story of overcoming adversity to pitch in the big leagues, and Sabo was a key player in the Cincinnati Reds’ 1990 World Series-winning team.
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The Modern Era: Building on Tradition
The modern era of Michigan baseball has continued to build on the program’s storied past. In 2019, head coach Erik Bakich led the Wolverines to a runner-up finish in the College World Series, a feat that reignited national recognition for the program. The Michigan baseball team won its third straight game at the College World Series on Friday, locking up the school's first-ever spot in the best-of-three championship series that begins Monday. (The CWS added the final round in 2003.) In all, this is Michigan's eighth appearance in the College World Series, with two titles.
Ray Fisher Stadium: Home of the Wolverines
The Wolverines play their home games in Ray Fisher Stadium. In 2008, alum and owner of the New York Mets MLB franchise, Fred Wilpon donated $9 million for the renovation of Fisher Stadium and Alumni Field. Ray Fisher Stadium has a capacity of 4,000.
Looking Ahead: A Bright Future
As Michigan baseball moves forward, the program remains committed to the values that have defined it for generations: excellence, hard work, and a relentless pursuit of championships. The current head coach is Tracy Smith, who is in his 4th season. The Michigan Wolverines are members of the Big Ten Conference. The athletic director is Warde Manuel.
Honors and Achievements
The Michigan Wolverines have achieved significant success throughout their history, including:
- College World Series Champions: 1953, 1962
- College World Series Runner-Up: 2019
- NCAA Regional Champions: 1978, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1984, 2007, 2019
- Conference Tournament Champions: 1981, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1999, 2006, 2008, 2015, 2022
- Conference Regular Season Champions: 1899, 1901, 1905, 1918, 1919, 1920, 1923, 1924, 1926, 1928, 1929, 1936, 1941, 1942, 1944, 1945, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1961, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1997, 2006, 2007, 2008
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