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Pat Murphy's Scandal at ASU

The 2009 season for Arizona State University’s baseball team was another year showcasing the talent of the program. A third year in a row as Pac-10 Conference Champion and an acclaimed roster including two Golden Spikes semifinalists, it seemed head coach Pat Murphy’s leadership would continue to reign for years to come. Murphy had served as ASU’s head baseball coach since 1995, achieving notable success with four College World Series appearances that featured a national championship game appearance in 1998, and a 629–284–1 record.  Murphy had just come off of leading the Sun Devils to a semifinal appearance in Omaha the past season, but in November of 2009, Murphy was forced to resign amid an NCAA investigation into the baseball program’s compliance with regulations. The NCAA’s investigation, covering the period from 2004 to 2009, uncovered multiple violations. The first violation the Sun Devils faced was Impermissible Recruiting Calls. Over 500 unauthorized phone calls were made ...
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Augie Garrido: The legacy he left behind

       Augie Garrido is one of the most iconic and successful coaches in the history of college baseball. With a career that spanned over five decades, Garrido left an indelible mark on the sport, transforming programs, mentoring generations of players, and becoming the winningest coach in NCAA Division I baseball history at the time of his retirement.   Born on February 6, 1939, in Vallejo, California, Augie Garrido began his baseball journey as a player. He played college baseball at Fresno State and later spent time in the minor leagues, including a stint in the Cleveland Indians organization. His playing career may not have reached the major leagues, but it laid the foundation for his future as a coach and mentor.     Augie would begin his head coaching career in 1969 at San Francisco State, a small division II school.  He would spend only one season as the head man there before moving on to Cal Poly, who was also a DII program at the tim...
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LSU's Dominate Run of the 90's

      It is hard to believe, but there was a time not that long ago when the 7-time national champions LSU Tigers had zero trophies on their baseball shelf.  During the 1990s, that would all change. Under the guidance of legendary head coach Skip Bertman, LSU would go on to win five NCAA national championships (1991, 1993, 1996, 1997, and 2000), establishing the university and the SEC as a powerhouse in college baseball.  1991 may seem like ancient history to some, but let me put into perspective just how recent that is for a program to win it's first ever title.  Although the Tigers now rank 2nd all time in national championships with 7 titles, USC, who has the most titles with 12, won their first national championship in 1948, and had their 6th title won by 1970.  Texas who is right behind them at 3rd all time in natties, with 6 of their own, won their first title in 1949.  How was a team able to so quickly etch themselves between two blue bloo...
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Is JUCO Really the Next Best Option Outside of DI?

      Have you ever wondered  why JUCO is the undisputed level right below Division I?  It is no secret that the first dog to the bowl of all major DI kickbacks are the junior colleges (NJCAA), but why?  Are they in desirable cities?  Do they have really nice facilities like small private high schools do? At least offer a higher level education while they play there?  The answers to all of these questions are no, and obvious ones at that.  JUCO's are notorious for being in small towns, having rundown facilities, and lacking amenities in general. On top of that, the only degree that you can get from a junior college is of course an associate degree.  It is to a point where similar to the military, the players learn to 'embrace the suck' often referring to themselves as 'JUCO Bandits.'  Despite all of the hype behind the JUCO route, players who do not receive the DI offer that they were hoping for are left after just two seasons witho...
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Why Jamie Arnold Should Go #1 Overall in the 2025 MLB Draft

       As the 2025 MLB Draft approaches, one name is already emerging as the consensus top prospect: Jamie Arnold. He has garnered attention for his overall athleticism and versatility. Here’s why Arnold is primed to be the first overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft—and why his future as a southpaw on the mound is so incredibly promising. Arnold’s arsenal as a left-handed pitcher is nothing short of spectacular. He boasts a mid-90s fastball that currently tops out at 97 mph, a pitch that stands out even among top-tier professional arms. His velocity is paired with excellent movement, as his fastball dives and runs in on right-handed batters, generating weak contact and plenty of swing-and-miss opportunities. Arnold’s off-speed offerings truly elevate his game to elite status. His slider is a plus pitch, consistently producing swings and misses, and he’s developed a devastating changeup that fools hitters with its deceptive drop. Combined with his fastball velocity and ...
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The Regrettable Rush to Commit

     5am: Time for another three plus hour trip to some town that I have never heard of, for yet another showcase camp to try and gain the attention of schools that I have never heard of, as they barely even turn their heads at my efforts.  But, hey, that is the life for an uncommitted high school senior in the middle of his fall semester.  At this point, I had already come back from summer break to start my senior year and, as it did for many of my fellow teammates, a crushing sense of reality had start to set in.   Everyone was aware that DI programs are always one year ahead in the recruiting cycle, and my graduating teammates had already been selected for their programs.  Teammates of mine who you would have sworn were going to play in college come hell or high water were now talking about this upcoming season being their last, what college they wanted to go to, and what frat they wanted to join.  It was surprising to see, but if I was being ...
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There is Nothing Impressive About a JV Walk

     Here you are warming up for your Tuesday night JV game, but it might as well be for a state championship with how proud you are to have your high school's name finally written across your chest.  The eye black is applied, the compression sleeve is on, the pants are up and the stirrups out.  You have a guard for every part of your body for when you come up to bat and once that moment finally comes, there is a guy up on the mound lobbing a 70mph fastball, three of which went to the backstop during warm-ups.  Not surprisingly, you find yourself up 3-0 in the count when a 65mph rainbow comes floating in just below the belt about a full ball or so off the outside black.  "Strike one" yells the umpire as you have already chunked your bat halfway to the dugout and are in the process of taking off your many accessories.        Is your initial reaction, "Ok good, I am actually going to get to swing the bat this game!" No, it probably fa...
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