Baseball America Recognizes Miami Among Decade Elite

Dec. 17, 1999

Coral Gables, FL – Baseball America recognized the University of Miami baseball program as the No. 2 program of the 1990’s in their recent Best of the Decade edition.

Of the three teams chosen, the defending national champion Hurricanes placed behind Louisiana State, which won national championships in 1991, ’93, ’96 and ’97, and ahead of Cal-State Fullerton.

Of the three head coaches chosen, 1999 ABCA and Collegiate Baseball National Coach of the Year Jim Morris was also selected as the No. 2 coach of the decade. Former UM assistant and current LSU head coach Skip Bertman was the No. 1 coach. Morris, the only head coach to take a team to the College World Series in each of his first six years at a program, placed ahead of No. 3 Gene Stephenson of Wichita State.

Former UM All-American and current Philadelphia Phillies infielder Pat Burrell was selected as the decade’s top freshman for his impact rookie season in 1996. Burrell, who led the nation with a .484 batting average as a rookie, was named the Most Outstanding Player at the CWS in ’96, as well as consensus First Team All-America. Burrell placed ahead of LSU’s Todd Walker (1992) and Brett Laxton (1993) in the best freshman category.

Of the five players that were selected in the Best Player category, Burrell ranked third, behind Cal-State Fullerton’s Mark Kotsay (1994-96) and LSU’s Walker (1992-94). In addition, Morris coached the No. 4 player, Jason Varitek (1991-94) of Georgia Tech, prior to his arrival in Coral Gables. Florida State’s J.D. Drew (1995-97) ranked fifth.

Of the nine position players named to the All-Decade All-America team, three were coached by Morris (Burell at UM and Varitek and Nomar Garciaparra at Georgia Tech).

Among Baseball America’s High Schools Best of the Decade current Hurricanes Mark Walker, Manny Crespo and Brian Walker played for the No. 2 team of the 1990’s, the 1996 Westminster Christian Warriors. In addition, current UM assistant coach Gino DiMare served on the Westminster Christian coaching staff during that 1996 season when the Warriors completed a perfect 36-0 campaign.

Current Seattle Mariners All-Star Alex Rodriguez, who played for Westminster Christian and signed a national letter of intent to attend the University of Miami, was named the No. 2 high school player of the decade.

Best Program1 Louisiana State, 2 Miami, 3 Cal-State Fullerton

Best Coach1 Skip Bertman, Louisiana State, 2 Jim Morris, Miami, 3 Gene Stephenson, Wichita State

Best Freshman1 Pat Burrell, Miami, 1996, 2 Todd Walker, Louisiana State, 1992, 3 Brett Laxton, Louisiana State, 1993

Best Player1. Mark Kotsay, Cal-State Fullerton, 1994-96, 2. Todd Walker, Louisiana State, 1992-94, 3. Pat Burrell, Miami, 1996-98, 4. Jason Varitek, Georgia Tech, 1991-94, 5. J.D. Drew, Florida State, 1995-97

1990’s All-America TeamPosition PlayersC Jason Varitek, Georgia Tech, 1991-94, 1B Todd Helton, Tennessee, 1993-95, 2B Todd Walker, Louisiana State, 1992-94, 3B Pat Burrell, Miami, 1996-98, SS Nomar Garciaparra, Georgia Tech, 1992-94, OF J.D. Drew, Florida State, 1995-97, OF Jeffrey Hammonds, Stanford, 1990-92, OF Mark Kotsay, Cal-State Fullerton, 1994-96, UT Brooks Kieschnick, Texas, 1991-93PitchersRHP R.A. Dickey, Tennessee, 1994-96, LHP Jeff Granger, Texas A&M, 1991-93, RP Darren Dreifort, Wichita State, 1991-93, UT Brooks Kieschnick, Texas, 1991-93