OMAHA, Neb. -- The tagline of the College World Series is “history happens here.” Perhaps more accurately, history happened here. From memorable games to broken records, from old Rosenblatt Stadium to TD Ameritrade Park, history has indeed happened here.
Finals just ended for these student-athletes, but we sent their coaches to the classroom to test their College World Series knowledge.
Among all the chaos of Media Day at TD Ameritrade Park, we sat down with the head coaches of the eight participating teams to see how well they knew the history behind college baseball’s marquee event.
Mike Gillespie, UC Irvine Anteaters
| QUESTION | GILLESPIE'S GUESS | CORRECT ANSWER | RESULT |
|---|---|---|---|
| What was the first year the CWS was played in Omaha? | 1951 | 1950 | Buzz! |
| Who won the last CWS played at Rosenblatt Stadium? | South Carolina | South Carolina | Ding! |
| What was the first year that ESPN broadcast the CWS? | 1985 | 1980 | Buzz! |
| Which school has won the most CWS titles? | USC | USC | Ding! |
| When was the last inside-the-park home run in the CWS? | 2011 | 2001 (Chris Burke, Tenn.) | Buzz! |
| TOTAL SCORE | 2 out of 5 |
Augie Garrido, Texas Longhorns
| QUESTION | GARRDIO'S GUESS | CORRECT ANSWER | RESULT |
|---|---|---|---|
| When did the CWS debut in Omaha? | 1950 | 1950 | Ding! |
| When did ESPN first broadcast the CWS? | 1982 | 1980 | Buzz! |
| Who has the most innings pitched in a single CWS? | Walt Peterson, USC | Bob Garibaldi (27.2 in 1962) | Buzz! |
| Who was the last player to hit for the cycle? | Brooks Kieschnick, Texas | Jerry Kindall in 1956 (Minn.) | Buzz! |
| TOTAL SCORE | 1 out of 4 |
Tim Corbin, Vanderbilt Commodores
| QUESTION | CORBIN'S GUESS | CORRECT ANSWER | RESULT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who won the last CWS played at Rosenblatt Stadium? | Oregon State | South Carolina | Buzz! |
| When did ESPN first broadcast the CWS? | 1982 | 1980 | Buzz! |
| What is the record for the most RBI in one CWS? | 9 | 31 (Stan Holmes, 1981) | Buzz! |
| When was the last inside-the-park home run in the CWS? | 1998 | 2001 (Chris Burke, Tenn.) | Buzz! |
| When was the last time a player hit for the cycle? | 1998 | 1956 (Jerry Kindall, Minn.) | Buzz! |
| TOTAL SCORE | 0 out of 5 |
Dan McDonnell, Louisville Cardinals
| QUESTION | MCDONNELL'S GUESS | CORRECT ANSWER | RESULT |
|---|---|---|---|
| What was the first year the CWS was played in Omaha? | 1953 | 1950 | Buzz! |
| Who won the last CWS played at Rosenblatt Stadium? | South Carolina | South Carolina | Ding! |
| Which team has the most appearances without a title? | Florida State | Florida State (21) | Ding! |
| What's the most innings pitched in a single CWS? | 24 | 27.2 | Buzz! |
| What is the highest batting avg. in a CWS (min. 10 AB)? | .600 | .714 (Jim Morris, 1957) | Buzz! |
| TOTAL SCORE | 2 out of 5 |
Jim Schlossnagle, TCU Horned Frogs
| QUESTION | SCHLOSSNAGLE'S GUESS | CORRECT ANSWER | RESULT |
|---|---|---|---|
| When did the CWS debut in Omaha? | 1950 | 1950 | Ding! |
| Which team has the most appearances without a title? | Florida State | Florida State (21) | Ding! |
| What is the record for most RBI in a single CWS? | 18 | 31 (Stan Holmes, 1981) | Buzz! |
| Which school has won the most CWS titles? | USC | USC | Ding! |
| What is the highest batting avg. in a CWS (min. 10 AB)? | .637 | .714 (Jim Morris, 1957) | Buzz! |
| TOTAL SCORE | 3 out of 5 |
Tim Tadlock, Texas Tech Red Raiders
| QUESTION | TADLOCK'S GUESS | CORRECT ANSWER | RESULT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who won the last CWS played at Rosenblatt Stadium? | South Carolina | South Carolina | Ding! |
| When did ESPN first broadcast the CWS? | 1982 | 1980 | Buzz! |
| When was the last inside-the-park home run in the CWS? | 2010 | 2001 (Chris Burke, Tenn.) | Buzz! |
| Which school has won the most CWS titles? | USC | USC | Ding! |
| When was the last time a player hit for the cycle? | 1959 | 1956 (Jerry Kindall, Minn.) | Buzz! |
| TOTAL SCORE | 2 out of 5 |
Brian O'Connor, Virginia Cavaliers
| QUESTION | O'CONNOR'S GUESS | CORRECT ANSWER | RESULT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who won the last CWS played at Rosenblatt Stadium? | South Carolina | South Carolina | Ding! |
| When did ESPN first broadcast the CWS? | 1982 | 1980 | Buzz! |
| When was the last inside-the-park home run in the CWS? | 2007 | 2001 (Chris Burke, Tenn.) | Buzz! |
| Which school has won the most CWS titles? | LSU | USC | Buzz! |
| When was the last time a player hit for the cycle? | 1995 | 1956 (Jerry Kindall, Minn.) | Buzz! |
| TOTAL SCORE | 1 out of 5 |
Mike Bianco, Mississippi Rebels
| QUESTION | BIANCO'S GUESS | CORRECT ANSWER | RESULT |
|---|---|---|---|
| When did the CWS debut in Omaha? | 1958 | 1950 | Buzz! |
| Which team has the most appearances without a title? | Florida State | Florida State (21) | Ding! |
| What is the record for the most RBI in a single CWS? | 16 | 31 (Stan Holmes, 1981) | Buzz! |
| Which school has won the most CWS titles? | USC | USC | Ding! |
| What is the highest batting avg. in a CWS (min. 10 AB)? | .670 | .714 (Jim Morris, 1957) | Buzz! |
| TOTAL SCORE | 2 out of 5 |
