2014 TEXAS TECH BASEBALL TEXAS TECH HALL OF HONOR
HALL OF FAME
TEXAS TECH HALL OF HONOR The Texas Tech Hall of Honor was established in 1961 to recognize a select group of people who have had a special impact on Texas Tech athletics. Induction into the hall is not limited to past athletes or administrators, although many Red Raider stars are among the members. The Hall of Honor is designed so that any person who has made a significant contribution to Red Raider athletics is eligible for consideration. Since the Hall of Honor’s initial ceremony, 18 former baseball players and coaches have been inducted.
TEXAS BASEBALL HALL OF FAME On November 15, 2001, former Texas Tech Head Baseball Coach Larry Hays was inducted into the Texas Baseball Hall of Fame. Hays became the first individual with Texas Tech ties to be enshrined in the hall. The Texas Baseball Hall of Fame operates under the structure of the Texas Sports Hall of Fame In Waco, Texas, and is sponsored by the Ex-Professional Players Association of Texas, the Texas Rangers and the Society for American Baseball Research.
BASEBALL INDUCTEES Name Larry Hays Shane Wright Johnny Grimes Chuck Harrison Keith Ginter Mark Brandenburg Joe Dillon Clint Bryant Mike Humphreys Gary Ashby John Owens Kal Segrist Elmer Wilson Ruben Garcia Doug Ault Jerry Haggard Dan Law Berl Huffman Volney “Satch” Hill
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TECH’S HAYS EARNS HALL OF FAME HONOR by George Watson, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
Year Inducted 2013 2011 2010 2009 2009 2008 2008 2006 2005 1999 1993 1993 1992 1991 1990 1987 1984 1972 1965
When you ask Texas Tech baseball coach Larry Hays about what it means to have coached in so many games, won a majority of those, earned numerous titles and championships and been a part of building a program, you will likely get one response. “It says I’m old,” Hays said. Now, however, it also says he’s in the Hall of Fame. Not the one in Cooperstown, N.Y., but rather the Texas Baseball Hall of Fame based within the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in Waco. That’s where the longtime coach of the Red Raiders will be enshrined come Nov. 15. And his response upon learning his induction was humble yet honoring. “It’s an honor because it says a lot for all the players that have played for me in the past, what they’ve done,” Hays said. “Also guys like (assistant coaches) Greg Evans, Daren Hays and Ryan Brewer, those coaches, for me it’s a credit to them for what they’ve done. It’s only because of a lot of great players and coaches that I’m getting this honor. That’s the only way to justify it in my mind.” Yet, Hays’ record speaks for itself. Going into the 2002 season he has compiled a career record of 1,278-686-3, which includes 15 seasons at Tech and another 16 years at Lubbock Christian University. He ranks fourth on the list of active winningest baseball coaches and eighth all-time. Some time in the coming season he will reach two more milestones — his 1,300th career victory and 2,000th career game as a coach. Hays will be just the fourth collegiate coach ever to be inducted into the Hall, joining former Texas A&M great Tom Chandler, legendary Texas coach Cliff Gustafson and Al Ogletree from UT-Pan American. Also included in the 2001 class of inductees will be former Texas Rangers first baseman Will Clark, Cy Young award-winner Doug Drabek, former umpire Durwood Merrill, current Texas Rangers outfielder Ruben Sierra, ex-Texas League standout Jack Lindsay and Curtis Walker, a member of the Cincinnati Reds during the 1920s. “How in the world a guy who never got a hit, never threw a pitch and all the things these other guys did, these great players that have earned this spot, how a guy like me can be included in this group is something else.” Hays said. Lubbock businessman Rip Griffin, a longtime friend and supporter of Tech and LCU athletics, will introduce Hays at the banquet, to be held in Fort Worth. Hays, a native of Dora, N.M., began his career at Lubbock Christian in 1971 and eventually guided the Chaparrals to the 1983 NAIA College World Series title. Four years later, he took over at Tech, turning a 21-28 team his first year into a program which perennially competes for Big 12 Conference and national championships. He has guided the Red Raiders to the NCAA postseason in each of the past seven seasons, along the way winning the 1995 Southwest Conference championship, the inaugural Big 12 regular-season title in 1997 and the conference tournament title the following year. Last year may have been one his best, taking an almost entirely new team and molding them into a squad which finished second in the Big 12 and was within one victory of advancing to the NCAA super-regional round. “Being a part of a team and winning games is always a highlight,” Hays said. “But you also take away from those games what’s really important and that’s what your players do, and all that. I’m definitely humbled and honored.” The Texas Baseball Hall of Fame was founded in 1978 by George Schepps, former owner of the Dallas Rebels of the Texas League from 1938 to 1948. Inductees are now elected by the Ex-Professional Players Association of Texas, the Texas Rangers and the Society for American Baseball Research.
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