Baseball Memories!
Submit your own Hurricane Baseball Memory!
Greg Pompos – In 1982 we beat the beating the Baltimore Orioles in an exhibition. The Orioles had their starters play most of the game. I remember how nice Rick Dempsey was to all the catchers that night. Earl Weaver was so mad at his team after the game he gave his team some choice words that could be heard blocks away.
Bob King – I remember the year when our Hurricanes made the College World Series in the early 80’s and centerfielder Rick Richardi dropped the game ending fly-ball and forced our beloved Hurricanes to lose the final game! I was so upset, I coached Rick in high school, it was horrible to see all of my time and effort go to waste. But the amazing thing was that Rick showed awesome reziliance and came up big the next year in the CWS, leading the Hurricanes to a National Title!!!!
Howard Akers – When I was sitting in the left field seats watching MIAMI hit so many homers to beat the Florida Gators in Gainesville (February 2001)
Marrion Flowers – When Miami beat Florida Southern in May 2001. Anytime Miami beats Florida State and Florida.
Steve Whitlock – During the 1970 & ’71 seasons, I worked for George Gallett in the Sports Info Department and regularly covered the Canes games for the local media.While Jay Rokeach was calling his first games from a bench behind the cage, Coach Ron Fraser would send me into the wooden stands to collect $1 admission from the fans that attended. Most had never heard of paying admission to a college baseball game, but Fraser had a vision of the future of Hurricane Baseball.
John Naylor – Holding the 2001 National Championship Trophy again.I held it 1999 when MIAMI beat FSU.OMAHA is a great place to win a NATIONAL TITLE!!!!!
Eddie Pavese – When I was 14 years old, I was able to be a batboy for Sacramento City College. I met the best roll model there named Mike Neu. Mike went on to play for the the Hurricanes and become the the nation’s leader in saves and finished the final game in Omaha. To top it off, he beat the team that didn’t want him because he was too short in there eyes…Stanford. Well Stanford Who has the ring again?
James P. Waring – During the 1982 World Series against Witchita State. The infamous fake throw to first. Greatest play ever thought up and the execution was perfect.
William Bradford – Kevin Sheary winning 3 games in 1985
Mike Gleicher – My Hurricane baseball memory come from this past season. Getting the oportunity to see the Canes play their first game in Omaha on there way to the National Championship. They way the jumped up big on Tennessee, then when Tennessee battled there way back into the game the Canes just shut the door.
Jenny McLaughlin – Well, I am in Nebraska for college (from Long Island) and I was at the CWS all week and my favorite memory of the enitre series was when Greg Lovelady was warming up he must of saw his mom or a relative and blew them a kiss!!!! It was the cutest thing in the world and that will always be my favorite memory at the CWS!!!!
DAVID BONDERUD – Growing up in Coral Gables, I was the kid who sat on the scoreboard and placed the number cards in the slots each inning during the early 70’s. It was first come first serve and I was always first to arrive. My favorite players were Joel Green and Ed Garvey. My best memory is when the Canes played the Cuban All Stars each year. Tony Oliva rode my 10 speed and liked it so much I thought he had stolen it as he rode away down San Amaro. I became a Seminole in college and traded colors for garnet and gold but will always remember those 70’s teams.
Brian Buchanan – Kenny Henderson, the pitcher, hitting a homerun in a regional versus UNC.
Betsy Trinz – So many but if I had to name a few 1) Jason Michaels grand slam against ASU in the regionals. The atompshere at MLS was incredible that day 2) Winning the CWS in 99 3) Being thrown in the pool by the 99 Champs in Omaha….
Barry Mozes – Being able to play Fall ball with the ‘Canes while getting prepped for their 94 season. Just being able to hang out and play ball with the likes of Danny Graves, Jay Tessmer, and all the rest of the team that year made for a memorable lifetime dream to have somewhat come true. Not quite the ending I had wanted but the guys were great and made me feel like part of the team the entire time I was playing & practicing with them. Not to mention the appearance that Ron Frazier made in the locker room one day after practise to give a “wisdom speech.” The words were powerful and you could feel the energy with each word that was spoken. Amazing!!!
Matthew S Toepfer – I know this memory is still on the top of most of our lists, but the 1999 National Championship team. Beating FSU in the title game doesn’t get any better.
Jimmy Kratochvil – I have several!! Seeing Kevin Sheary pitch a perfect game. Standing behind home plate and hearing Alex Fernandez’s pitches come whistling in!!Also being 10 years old going into the bathroom at Mark Light Stadium running into Donny Rowland and Phil LAne coming out and having them shake my hand!!!
Darrell Sparkman – Kevin Sheary’s No-Hitter in 1987. It’s been a while, can’t remember if it was a perfect game or not. But I will never forget the last inning, a line drive off of Kevin’s leg – fielded by Joe Nelson barely throws out the runner to save the no-no. I’ll also remember sitting with Joe Grahe and Mike Piazza and punching little hole in the gatorade cups until the time Brad Kelley had red punch gatorade leak all over his uniform. We had to do a little running for that one..
Jason Christie – My little league team was the Hurricanes (Of course) and we all went down to The Light one night to see a game in our uniforms. I guess one of the Canes saw it and invited us down for a little autograph session after the game. Charles Johnson, etc.. all signed a ball for me. What could be better for a kid?
Richard R. de Villiers – Just one memory, what are you crazy?
I remember that as a child being at an FSU game and the stands not being able to contain the fans so they had us sitting on the infield. The next game I stood on the roof of what is now the Ron Fraser Building.
I remember the “Happy Hurcs”. I remember them beating Roger Clemens.
I remember poking my head through a hole in the screen in the outfield as a teen and begging Greg Vaughn to stay for his senior year.
I remember counting strikes for Alex Fernandez.
I remember a collective groan eminating from Seminole fans as Danny Buxbaum strode to the plate with the bases loaded, just moments before launching one over the left field wall.
I remember listening to the 9th inning of the regional final against ASU as we forced it to a second game. I remember cell phones going off and friends saying, I’ll see you there. I remember Eddie Reyes pitching the double header, I remember the Sun Devils crying on the bus.
I remember the first game of a regional watching Pat Burrell blast one over the scoreboard and the team up next, sitting behind me, shaking their heads in disbelief, arguing if the ball had travelled over 500 and ft. and wishing their pitcher luck.
FRANK DIAZ – As a Cane Fan, I have attended many memorable games. One sunny Sunday afternoon, a young left-hander by the name of Neal Heaton pitched a no-hit, no-run game. It was electric and unforgettable.
Tito Prieto – Kevin Brown’s over-all performance in the 1999 CWS to help guide the Canes’ to the title.
Rob Rankin – Job transfer to Tallahassee in April of 1992, and the Canes swept the Noles for 1st time in Tally and we waved our brooms! Then in those pre-internet days, I would call WVUM for scoring updates & on 5/13/92 I called and we were down 11-1, so I went to Bullwinkles in Tally to drown my sorrows. I called WVUM again at 10:30 pm from the bar and Charles Johnson had just smacked a HR and we won 12-11 in bottom of the 9th!
Paul Frishman – As a young boy attending Canes’ Games at the Light with my father, and now doing the same with my own son, wife and two daughters. Somewhere in between I had the pleasure to broadcast hundreds games on WVUM — travel 4 years with the team, and be a part of two National Championships ’82 & ’85. Great Memories !
Jose Torres – J.D Arteaga victories
JOHN H. NAYLOR JR.- One of my favorite memories has to be my first ever trip to the College World Series in Omaha in 1999. The unusual thing about the trip to Omaha was that a Florida State booster ask me to go with him. I had no plans to go and it was a free trip. Here I was going to Omaha with my arch rival. But it was fun. I remember having dinner with Mark Walker, Chris Sheffield, Javy Rodriguez, Mike Rodriguez and there parents. The menu that evening was Chicken and yellow rice with Cuban Coffee.That was a great moment just relaxing and enjoying each others company HURRICANE STYLE. Then the National Championship Game when Miami defeated FSU 6-5. I ran onto the field after the game celebrating with all the Hurricane players, fans. I took plenty of pictures with the Miami Hurricane players. The proudest moment of all is when I held the National Championship Trophy in my hands. I have a picture of Lazaro Collazo and me together holding the 1999 National Championship Trophy.
Darin Spassoff – Way too many great memories, but one that comes to mind that was left out was in 1997 regionals against Florida when Eddy Reyes had one of the gutsiest performances I have ever seen. The number of innings he pitched on empty and the crowd filling his tank back up by cheering EDDY, EDDY. Just like in the movie RUDY. Pretty memorable, cause it got us to play against ASU in the championship game. We all knew we we going to Omaha after that.
Carlos M. Tosca – The night Charles Johnson hit two towering homeruns over the palm trees in left field.
Nic Janik – Growing up with relatives dating Hurricane ball-players gave me the opportunity to go to countless games, and gave me some fringe benefits, like running around the bases & playing with the players, going to dinner with players after the game, & even being taught how to pitch by former Canes players, including Coach Collazo! But I’ll never forget sitting on the 1st base side, primed to run on the field after the final out of Coach Fraser’s final home game, a victory against Georgia Tech & current-UM Coach Morris on May 17, 1992.
Gregg Jefferies – In the year 2001 when the University at Albany pulled off the biggest upset in college baseball history, beating the Canes at the Homestead Tourny!!
josh e smith – good luck miami baseball 2001-02 team
kevin bordley – 1982 baseball team college world series champions
Adrian Brockway – Getting play by play updates on the internet when Jason Michaels hit that grand slam against ASU and the chatroom going crazy.
BRUCE THOMPSON – MID APRIL, THE SMOKE FROM THE GRILLS, SMELL OF THE FLOWERS THAT LINE THE FENCE ON THE 3RD AND 1ST BASE SIDE. THE SUN SETTING SLOWLY OVER THE 3RD BASE DUGOUT. FLORIDA STATE IS IN TOWN. ENOUGH SAID.
Jeff Fennik – When Pat Burrell was being walked, he swung at a pitch and it was just short of a homerun.
Patty Leblanc – Every Hurricane game is a thrill, but the 1997 regionals was incredible. It was so hot in the stands, I could hardly bear it, even hotter on the field. The bases were loaded, and thair was palpable with expectation. Jason Michaels came up to bat with the bases loaded. Full count. Then a long ball to left field. I couldn’t see if it was fair or foul. The next thing I knew, the crowd was ROARING, and I knew it was fair! It was complete pandemonium for a very long time. A complete stranger sitting next to me grabbed me and kissed me! That hit was the stuff of dreams. The team had a 45 minute break, then had to play Arizona State again. It was a LONG battle in a do or die situation. But Miami was confident. I remember that Mike Lopez Cao’s uniform was completely brown that night.
Tim Schaffer – The phantom pick-off play against WSU in game 2 of the 1982 CWS. The fly out throw out double play to win the 1982 CWS and walking in centerfield gate of Mark Light Stadium to face the thousands of fans welcoming us back with a National Championship.
ANDY & BARBIE CLUTE – GOING TO OMAHA IN 1999 AND WATCHING MIAMI WIN THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP AND WATCHING OUR SON,KRIS PLAY AS WELL AS HITTING A HOME RUN IN THE SERIES
Patricia Alcaniz – My favorite memory is when from 1999 when Michael Neu threw the last pitch of the World Series final game and struck-out the FSU batter.
Jeff Rerhmann – Plain and simple, I enjoyed watching Charles Johnson warm up before gametime..The man simply has the strongest arm I have ever seen.
Bobby Hill htting a three run homerun and Javy Rodriguez hitting a game winning double to beat FSU after being down by Three runs in the bottom of the thirteenth. Game 3 at Home (1999)- Jose Estrada
Winning the College World Series in 1999 – Mario A. Diaz
As statisticain of the Hurricanes I was with them in Starkville Missisippi in 1974. We had just lost to the Gamecock of South Carolina. Every one knew that we had no pitchers left as we change side. However Jerry Brust came out on one days rest to help us go the our first College World Series trip, in a tight one run ball game – Marcia Mur
Coach Morris calling the same pitch in, in the same situation, in the same national title game as in 1996 in the , and this time, the Crusher brings it home and the Canes win the national title in 1999 – Todd Nelkin
When we swept Florida State – Louella Calvin
Omaha, next a Doug Shield’s homer over left field fence and caught by a fan standing on the roof of a truck using a fishing net – Dohn Williams
The incredible regional double-header win over Arizona State. I was at the movies for the first game, heard the ending, and raced to Mark Light for the second game. Outstanding baseball – Antonio Giraldez
When Jason Michaels his the grand slam against Arizona State in the regionals to send Miami to the world series – Doug Roach
When they won the championship in Omaha, Nebraska in the year 1999 – Rafael Gutierrez
Going to Ron Fraser’s $5,000 dinner at Mark Light & going to the first championship game twice in one week in Omaha – Joe Shaw
1997 regionals – Jason Michaels hits a grand slam in the bottom of the ninth when they were down by three runs. Canes also won the 2nd game and went to Omaha.- Phil Frantanoni
Gator Rodney Brewer dropping a fly ball, UM winning the game and the world series – Richard Belz
When the canes win their regional & go to CWS in Omaha – David Rotolante
Post Championship celebration – Michael Engelke
Coach Fraser’s lucky shoes – Warren Quillian
Sitting in dugout with Ron Fraser & team 2. Summer camp with Skip Bertman as director for our 3 boys – oldest boy was in the first ever session of summer camp – John C. and Helen M. Eustace
Jason Michaels grand slam in the bottom of 9th in regional against ASU – Stephen Snipes
Jason Michaels hitting a grand slam in the bottom of the 9th to win against Arizona State in the regionals – Oscar L. Calleja
Jason Michaels grand slam to beat ASU in the regionals. The ASU fans sitting in front of me had been on a cell phone during the 7th & 8th innings, making reservations in Omaha. We were down 6-2 gong into the 9th inning and won 7-6. I told the ASU folks maybe they could change their reservations to Key West. They moved to different seats for the final game, which we won – William Bruce
Winning Super Regionals in 1999 – Earl W. Starr
Just love the whole organization – Don & Bev Wiesner
Baseball Buddies Program – Mark Antonelli
When Jason Michaels hit the bases loaded home run in the bottom of the ninth to beat Arizona & go to the CWS – Barbara M. Bailey
Reception at Mark Light field after canes won first world series 2. First ” ball girls” whose duties then included keeping the manual scoreboard in center field up to date – George R. Van Wyck
Every time I go with my grandkids, which is very often, is a favorite Hurricane Baseball Memory – Luis Mejor
Most unforgettable is losing the World Series against LSU in the bottom of the 9th with 2 outs and Miami in the lead – William R. Butler
Every Hurricane Baseball game/ season is a memory – Burton Harris
Being in Omaha in 1999…it was magical – Thomas Eberle
Regionals when we played UF and Arteaga was on the team . We were visitors and minutes from being eliminated – girlfriends were crying for their senior boyfriends. We came back and went to Omaha and came in 2nd – Fred Stanton Smith
The first national championship – Patricia Scanlon
Winning our first World Series. The Coral Gables major praising the team (’82), the band and the cheerleaders. Athletic Director leading the cheers. -George M. Carrigan
Jason Michaels grand slam. (I’m still jumping up and down) The atmosphere at the park that day was incredible – Danny & Yvonne Hare
Arizona State game where Jason Michaels hit a grand slam to win the game and send title game to a second game – David Bradley
Phil Lane/Clark Lange/Darrin Mandel hitting back to back to back home runs….Robbie Morrison coming in with Bad to the Bone Playing – Victor Cooke
1999 CWS Final Game – Ron & Melinda Prague
The attitude & emotion shown by Greg Lovelady in celebration of major playoffs win – Doug Pridgen
When the Maniac took my grandson out on the field & Ron Frazier came up to him to shake his hand & my 2 year old grandson ran back to the Maniac, away from Frazier. – Jack H. McLucas
Robbie Morrison striking out the side in the 8th and 9th inning to preserve victory in the regional match against N.C……also Charles Johnson gunning down a runner at 2nd base – Larry Rohan
Winning National Championships……Watching my son (age 9) on the field for the baseball buddies program – Robert Targ
Ron Frazier’s 1,000th victory – James Kay
Every time we beat the Univ. of Florida and FSU – Bruce Walton
Jason Michaels hitting bases loaded winning homerun in playoff game against Arizona State about 4 years ago. – Dianne & Fred Storm
Any of the many time Pat Burrel stepped up to the plate & went yard with the bases loaded – Lorn Green
Recognition at Mark Light after winning College World Series – Charles B. Schildecker
All are my favorites – Thomas D. Woodson
Certainly some of the towering homeruns hit by some of the past stars like Pat Burrell or Charles Johnson, but seeing so many former Hurricanes players succeed in professional baseball – Peter A. Fisiter
When my 12 year old grandson from Newcastle upon Tyne V.K. was greeted & treated so nicely by Coach Morris on his annual visit. He made sure my grandson got all the autographs, etc. – Herbert Tolpen
Winning the 1999 CWS – Beating FSU 6-5 (It doesn’t get any better than that) Also getting my national Championship ring in 1999 – Jeff Kaslofsky
Winning – Dwight B. Barley
Double Header win against Arizona State in Regionals – Art Eganhouse
When we won the National Championship – Ruth & Irving Karp
Championship game of 6/19/99 CWS in Omaha…UM 6 FSU 5. My two major alma maters playing head to head for the national baseball championship – Michael T. “Tim” Fredericks
In 1996 when Jim Garguello, Rick Saggese, and Mike Decelle hit back to back to back homeruns and Decelle’s going over the parking garage in Right Field against Cal State Fullerton. It was awesome – John Goldstein
In 1995, in the regionals, against UNC we had nobody left to bat so coach Morris put in pitcher Kenny Henderson to pinch hit and he hits a bomb over the centerfield wall. And the Maniac the greatest mascot, period. – Andrew Traynor
When Javy Rodriquez, after Bobby Hill’s home run, had hit thegame winning double to sweep the Noles, in the thirteenth, at the Light in1999. – Glenn Rudd Jr.
I remember the day that Pat Burrell was having problems with hisback , That Jim Morris called Aubrey Huff to Play Pat’s Postion and fromthere I knew from there that Aubrey will shine where he goes. – Maite Bordas
My best memory was this year’s team, how hard they worked and how farthey will get in the future. Some of them will leave to become major leaguers, especially Javy Rodriguez every time he comes to bat. Javy, good luck in the majors. I hope to see you playing on a team. – Maite Bordas
1998 in Tallahasse the Canes had already beaten FSU going intothe last game on Sunday. Nole fans were vocal, calling Manny Crespo “MightyMouse” but he got the last laugh, depositing a 1-2 pitch over the scoreboardfor a 9-6 lead and a sweep of the Noles on their turf! – Rob Rankin
I have so many memories growing up in Tallahassee and being aMiami fan.-The time when Jason Michaels hit that grand slam against ASU forcing a game2, and then winning the regional.-When I bet $20 on the Miami-FSU nat’l championship game in 1999, andwatching Michael Neu strike out Kevin Cash for the final out.-Sitting in the Canes visiting section in Dick Howser and listening to thegroans coming from the FSU animal section whenever Kevin Brown or Pat Burrelwould launch one over the scoreboard in left center.-And watching the 2002 Canes this year reach all the way to the last inningof the Super regional and watching all of our new freshman this yearincluding the Figueroas as they kind of resembled the Rodriquez’s (Mike andJavy)when they were freshman. – Glenn Rudd Jr.
