tradition
College World Series 31st Anniversary For as long as baseball is played at James Madison University, the 1983 season will always hold a special significance in the history of one of JMU’s most successful athletic programs. The Dukes opened the season with an exhibition doubleheader against the defending world champion St. Louis Cardinals, won the NCAA Eastern Regional championship, competed in the College World Series and had four players chosen in the Major League Baseball draft. JMU received an at-large bid to the NCAA Eastern Regional where the Dukes stunned a strong field to become the first Virginia team to qualify for the College World Series.
JMU was the first school and one of two from Virginia to reach the CWS
JMU, which compiled a 37-13 record, was among the final entries selected for the 36-team NCAA field, and the Dukes silenced any critics with their on-field performance. JMU upset top-seeded South Carolina 9-4 in the opener of the six-team tournament and used timely hitting, consistent pitching and solid defense to compile a 4-0 regional record. After the win over South Carolina, the Dukes defeated ECAC South Tournament champion William and Mary (13-8), Southern Conference winner The Citadel (5-2) and East Coast Conference champion Delaware (6-5). Having advanced to the College World Series, the Dukes faced two of the nation’s top three teams in Omaha, Neb. The CWS field of eight teams included several future major leaguers, including Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Barry Larkin, Pete Incaviglia, Dave Magadan, and Chris Sabo. The Dukes fell to Texas and CWS Most Outstanding Player Calvin Schiraldi 12-0 before being eliminated by Stanford 3-1.
Members of the 1983 team held a 25th anniversary reunion Sept. 15, 2007 during a JMU home football game.
1983 College World Series, Eastern Regional Champion 37-13 Front Row (left to right) – Mike McWright, Rich Bralley, Randy Foster, Todd Whitaker, Robert Trumbo, Chris Garber, Andy Heintzleman. Second Row – Dave Pleasants, Tom Estepp, Jeff Urban, Jeff Reid, Fred Heatwole. Third Row – Tony Marant, Steve Cullers, Justin Gannon, Jack Munley, Mike Reeves, Phil Fritz, Bob Lamon. Back Row – Jeff Kidd, Kip Yancey, Dennis Knight, Jim Knicely, Head Coach Brad Babcock.
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