The University of Texas began varsity intercollegiate competition in men's basketball in 1896. Texas is the winningest NCAA Division I college baseball program[2] in terms of win percentage, with an overall win percentage of .730. The Longhorns rank second in all-time wins (3,452) as of May 26, 2015, behind the Fordham Rams. As of the end of the 2015 conference season, Texas has won 77 regular season conference championships and 16 conference tournament championships in baseball.[3]
The Longhorns have won six NCAA baseball national championships (1949, 1950, 1975, 1983, 2002, and 2005) — second to Southern California's total of 12 — and have appeared in the College World Series (CWS) Championship Game or Championship Series on six other occasions (1953, 1984, 1985, 1989, 2004, and 2009).[4] Texas holds the records for most appearances in the College World Series (35), most individual CWS games won (85), most overall NCAA Tournament games won (233), and most NCAA Tournament appearances (57); the second-place programs in these categories have 24 CWS appearances (Miami), wins in 74 CWS games (Southern California), 185 overall NCAA Tournament wins (Miami), and 53 NCAA Tournament appearances (Florida State).
Since 1997, the Longhorns have been led by head coach Augie Garrido, who holds the record for most wins in NCAA baseball history. The team plays its home games at UFCU-Disch-Falk Field.
History
The Longhorn baseball team gives the Hook 'em Horns sign after a game.
The Longhorn baseball program has been remarkably stable over the last century. Since 1911, it has had only four full-time coaches—Billy Disch (1911–1939), Bibb Falk (1940–1967), Cliff Gustafson (1968–1996), and Augie Garrido (1997–present).
The Longhorns have won national titles in 1949, 1950, 1975, 1983, 2002, and 2005.
The early years (1894–1910)
The Texas Longhorns baseball team started in 1894, with the first game in 1895. Records from the first two years are incomplete. The first collegiate victory was over Add-Ran College, what is today Texas Christian University, on April 21, 1897. Seven different managers, including some that were also the school's football coach, led the team. Four times, the team won a conference title, including one in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association and three in the Southwestern Intercollegiate Athletic Association. The team played its home games in the first Clark Field during this time.
William J. "Billy" Disch era (1911–1939)
In 1911, Billy Disch took over the reins of the program. Disch retired following the 1939 season. During this time, he led the Longhorns to 22 conference titles, with two in the Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Association and 20 in the Southwest Conference. This included a run of 10 consecutive conference titles from 1913 to 1922. Disch won 465 collegiate games during his tenure with the Longhorns. In 1928, the team moved to the second Clark Field, which was famous for its limestone cliff and goat path in left-center field.
Bibb Falk era (1940–1967)
In 1940, former Longhorn baseball and major league outfielder Bibb Falk became the head coach. Except for a three-year period from 1943 to 1945, during which the team was led by assistant football coach Blair Cherry, Falk coached the team until 1967. Under Falk's guidance, the Longhorns won 20 Southwest Conference titles; the Longhorns won two conference titles under Cherry. Under Falk, Texas won its first two College World Series championships (in 1949 and 1950). The Longhorns won 434 collegiate games during his tenure.
Cliff Gustafson era (1968–1996)
Falk retired after the 1967 season and was succeeded by one of his former players, Cliff Gustafson. During his time in Austin, Gustafson led the Longhorns to 22 conference titles, 11 conference tournament championships, and College World Series championships in 1975 and 1983. Texas won 1,427 collegiate games during his tenure. In 1975, the school moved from the second Clark Field into the new Disch-Falk Field, which was named for Billy Disch and Bibb Falk.
Augie Garrido era (1997–present)
Augie Garrido
After Cliff Gustafson retired in 1996, Augie Garrido took over at the helm at Texas. Since he took over, the school has won seven Big 12 Conference titles, four conference tournament championships, and two national championships, in 2002 and 2005.
The Longhorns defeated Wake Forest 10-3 in the championship game to claim their first National Championship. Notable players on the team include Charlie Gorin, Tom Hamilton, and Murray Wall.
Texas won their sixth National Championship in school history by defeating Florida 4-2 and 6-2 in the championship round. Notable players on the team include Taylor Teagarden, Drew Stubbs, and David Maroul.
On May 30, 2009, the Longhorns and Boston College played in the longest game in college-baseball history — a 25-inning game, during the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship regional tournament at Austin, Texas. The Longhorns — who were designated the visiting team despite playing on their home field — won, 3-2. The game lasted seven hours three minutes.[5][6]
Colorado and Nebraska both competed in the Big 12 from 1997 to 2011. Arkansas (1915–1991), Rice (1915–1996), SMU (1918–1996), and Houston (1971–1996) all competed in the Southwest Conference. Missouri and Texas A&M both left for the SEC in 2012.
*Through June 30, 2012.
Information Source: 2015 Texas Longhorns Baseball Media Guide - All-Time Series Records section
Texas's rivalry with Baylor dates back April 4, 1903, when the Longhorns beat the Bears 13-1 in Austin. Since then, the schools have competed in an annual series, alternating between campuses as host.
Oklahoma
Texas's rivalry with Oklahoma dates back May 9, 1910, when the Longhorns beat the Sooners 3-2 in Austin. Oklahoma was part of the Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Association and later the Southwest Conference until 1919. Between 1925 and 1997, when both joined the Big 12, playing each other for one series every year from 1940 to 1972. often in the NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament.
Oklahoma State
Texas's rivalry with Oklahoma State dates back May 1, 1913, when the Longhorns beat the Cowboys 4-1 in Austin. Oklahoma State, then known as Oklahoma A&M, was part of the Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Association and later the Southwest Conference until 1925. Between 1919 and 1997, when both joined the Big 12, the schools played each other sporadically. When they did compete, it was often in NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament.
Texas A&M
The Longhorns rivalry with Texas A&M is part of the State Farm Lone Star Showdown. The baseball rivalry dates back to April 24, 1903, when the Longhorns defeated the Aggies 6-2 in College Station. The Longhorns and Aggies combined to win or share 75 of 81 Southwest Conference regular season championships and 13 of 19 conference tournaments. In Big 12 play, the two schools have shared 10 of 15 regular season titles and 7 of 15 conference tournaments. After the 2012 season, Texas A&M left for the SEC.
Texas Tech
Texas's rivalry with Texas Tech dates back March 22, 1968, when the Longhorns beat the Red Raiders 7-5 in Lubbock. That was the year Texas Tech joined the Southwest Conference. Since then, the schools have competed each year in a three game series.
Individual awards
National College Baseball Hall of Fame
The Longhorns have had six players, two coaches, and one veteran inducted into the National College Baseball Hall of Fame, more than any other school.
The University of Texas has had more than 50 players named to first team All-American and more than 20 players to the first team Freshman All-American team.[7]