University of Massachusets Athletics
A Season For The Ages
July 01, 2004 | Baseball
July 1, 2004
By Michael Coyne
The Maroon & White
As the month of June begins, the spring sports season routinely closes out the collegiate athletic year across the country. But there is one sport where teams are just beginning their championship runs, just when others are slipping off the sports radar ... baseball. The ping of aluminum bats and the rolling vocals of Todd Thibaud's "Back Home in Omaha," serve as a backdrop for student athletes, coaches and administrators who represent their institutions in the NCAA's final championship of the year, the College World Series.
Fifty years ago, a contingent of young men under the direction of head coach Earl Lorden represented the University of Massachusetts in such a place. The "Redmen," as they were then known, represented their school in the heartland of America, marking UMass' first appearance in the College World Series. Sporting a 15-7 record, the 1954 UMass baseball team captured the New England Championship, advancing to the College World Series in Omaha, Neb.
After beginning the 1954 season with a doubleheader sweep at Connecticut on April 19, the team posted a five-game winning streak in early May, including road wins at Boston University, Middlebury and Coast Guard. The victory over the Terriers would be the first of two on the year. UMass finished the year with six consecutive wins, and wrapped up its regular season with a thrilling 2-0 win over local rival Amherst College in front of a whopping 4,000 fans on Alumni Day at then named University Field. The Lorden Nine advanced to the College World Series by winning the NCAA District I Regional Tournament, held at Pynchon Park in Springfield, Mass. Defeating host Springfield College in the semifinals by the score of 9-7, the "Whiz Kids," as the local paper called them, captured the respect of the tournament faithful and blanked Boston University, 2-0, in the district finals, punching a ticket to Omaha. To quote the June 6, 1954, edition of the Springfield Sunday Republican, "The underdog of the tourney became the people's choice, and (Phil) Tarpey the toast of the College-town of Amherst." UMass was off to the "Gateway to the West."
When they arrived in Omaha, the Redmen suffered a 16-5 opening round loss to Michigan State despite holding a 3-0 lead after the first inning. Game two saw the Bay Staters post a 5-3 victory over Oregon behind a solid pitching performance of starter Don Swanson. The senior lefthander went the distance, scattering 10 hits and fanning three in the win. Game three saw UMass bow to the eventual national champion, Missouri, 8-1.
This year, the UMass department of athletics celebrated the 50th anniversary of the team's appearance, with a ceremony in between games of a doubleheader on May 8, 2004. With an abundance of sun raining down, the "Whiz Kids" watched the current Minutemen battle Atlantic 10 rival Temple in game one of a three-game series. Cheering UMass on to a much needed victory, the 1954 team was brought out onto the field in between games of Saturday's twin bill. With the 2004 team cheering on their predecessors for their historic victories, 10 teammates were reintroduced to the UMass community. Also in attendance was former baseball head coach and UMass Athletic Hall of Fame inductee Dick Berquist, along with coach Earl Lorden's son, Joel, representing the Lorden Family. In all, it was a star-studded event spanning seven decades of Massachusetts baseball.
"It was fantastic, as it has been almost 50 years since I have seen any of these guys," said 1954 starting shortstop Bob Pedigree. "It was most enjoyable. I was happy to find that the weather cooperated, and UMass won the game one." He joked that coach Stone probably wanted them to hang around for game two, which everybody did anyway. It must have helped, as game two starter Matt Torra took a no-hitter into the bottom of the seventh inning. The Minutemen went on to complete the doubleheader sweep in what proved to be the high water mark of the 2004 season. Pedigree, a team captain as well, recalled the pitching as the glamorous part of the 1954 squad. "The strength of that team was definitely our pitching staff. Today teams have 12 to 14 pitchers on their rosters, but back then I think we had four, maybe five pitchers. When they asked who the relievers were, it was the pitcher that pitched the day before, or was going to pitch the next day. They were the relievers, because we only had a very small group." He continued, "A couple of the fellows have been down in Florida, and when they saw the 2004 team come down this spring, they said, 'They have more pitchers than we had players back when we were playing in 1954.' Also, a long season back then was 20 games, and now they almost play that many on their spring trip."
Former ace and member of the UMass Athletic Hall of Fame Phil Tarpey still checks in on today's stars of the College World Series. "It brings things back very, very quickly," said UMass baseball's first All-America selection. Before helping UMass return to the District Regionals in 1955, Tarpey recalls the 1954 squad being one of tremendous defense. "I do not think we had a total of 10 errors the entire year - our infield was particularly strong. Defensively we were a great baseball team. We did not score very many runs, we did not hit for the high average, we really played for one run."
But the thing Tarpey, now a resident of Springfield, recollects most prominently, were the fans. "What I remember most vividly, is the enthusiasm of the people in Omaha for the game. We had great crowds there. It was really a treat to play in front of a large crowd." While there was undoubtedly an overwhelming will to win, the Redmen also took time to stop and smell the proverbial roses, or in this case, eat them.
"The people in Omaha were great to us. The social clubs in the area each sponsored a team, and I believe the Kiwanis Club was our sponsor. They were very, very gracious, took us out to dinner and entertained us. The people of Omaha were absolutely wonderful back then, as they apparently still are."
Tarpey also recalled the magical win that sent the team to Omaha, the 2-0 victory over Boston University. "That was an interesting ball game. We took an early lead, but in the fifth inning B.U. had runners on first and second with nobody out and the middle of their order coming up. We had been working on a pickoff play at second base all year long, and their shortstop, who was also the captain of the team, was a guy who was constantly jumping around. We watched him very closely, and managed to pick him off at second base."
The righthander continued, "Then there was a ground ball to shortstop and Bobby Pedigree went into the hole and picked it up. He got the man out at second base, then the throw went to first, and we got out of the inning with a double play! Later on, outfielder Jimmy Rivers, who could run like a deer, picked off a line drive to left field to help secure the win." But there were additional off-the-field memories that stood out in Tarpey's mind as well.
"On our trip to Omaha, Michigan State arrived early in the morning on the day of our opening game. They had flight arrangement problems, and did not get into their hotel until 3:00 or 4:00 a.m. We knew this, and thought it should work to our advantage. Unfortunately for us, the Michigan State boys did not need much sleep, and they clobbered us." Tarpey went on to say that the 16-5 defeat, which began at 11:00 a.m., was not something the squad was used to. Up to that point, the highest scoring affair the Redmen had been involved in were a pair of nine-run contests, one of which came more than six weeks earlier.
But proving that every day is a new start, UMass went out and defeated Oregon 5-3 the next day. "Swanny pitched a dandy," stated Tarpey, and UMass posted its first NCAA Tournament victory. As another one of the leaders on the squad, one might think that team captain Bob Pedigree could be counted on to relive some of the memorable events from the Omaha experience as well. Keeping in mind that the trip that had all the feel, importance and aura that one could imagine from today's environment, but with out the ESPN coverage. Pacing UMass throughout the season, it was UMass' plane ride west that jumped to his mind.
"For many of us, we had not done much flying, and we got on a DC-3 plane and flew to Chicago. Between Chicago and Omaha we hit a thunderstorm, and that was quite a scary event for us," he said laughingly. "Advancing to the tournament was certainly a huge thing for UMass. We were very pleased to be part of it."
Additionally, according to Pedigree, it was his defensive play that stood out in his mind. "You would probably have to ask some of the other guys," he said laughingly, "But I thought I was a stronger defensive player than I was an offensive player." This coming from the team's leading hitter. "We certainly hung in there pretty good, played against the best teams in the Northeast and did a reputable job."
A then-school record 15 wins, the school's first New England Championship and a trip to Omaha, yet Pedigree recalls the plane ride. Enter starting lefthanded pitcher Don Swanson, who glowed about Pedigree's fielding. "What made Bobby a good player," Swanson asked "He held my ground balls down!"
Swanson continued, "If you enjoy the game, and you have a little bit of talent, it is marvelous. I would not look back at all! I had a great career. Someone told me once we got into the District I Regional we were going to win the whole thing, and we did! We had a great year, and it was very enjoyable, the greatest bunch of guys I have been with."
Of course Swanson was no slouch either, earning the decision in UMass 5-3 victory over Oregon in their second game in Omaha. "Swanny had great control, a good fastball and good breaking pitch," said Pedigree. "He was just an outstanding lefthander." Pedigree was also quick to point out that there were not as many left handed pitchers as there are today. He also joked that there were not any $8 million contracts either. Maybe $8,000, but not $8 million!
Venturing to Amherst from Houston, Texas, Pedigree closed things out with these thoughts. "It is a great feeling to come back and see the gang," he beamed. "The school has certainly grown since I have been around here, and it is a fine baseball facility they have here. I was also happy to see that Earl's son, Joel, was here. I had not seen him for quite some time either." He continued, "I have three beautiful daughters, a lovely wife and good health, and I am very pleased to have the opportunity to come back here and be honored the way that they have honored us today. It was fantastic!"
Swanson, who currently resides on Cape Cod, put a cap on the afternoon by saying, "This is a memorable day for me. I think we all feel just being here, we do not know where the 50 years went, but it is great!"
Current members of the UMass squad also enjoyed the ceremonies honoring the 1954 team. "It was a great thing," said UMass senior captain Sean Sarno. "They played in Omaha, a place we are trying to get to." Senior captain and third baseman Matt Reynolds added, "If I came back in 50 years to see all my college teammates, it would be a thrill for me. It sure looked like they were having a good time. It was a thrill for me to be a part of it." "It was great to have the opportunity to shake hands with all of the old players when they were introduced," added senior shortstop and captain Mike Athas. "For all these guys to come back 50 years later, it must have been a very special group, a close knit team."
Current UMass head coach Mike Stone thought the day was also a success, and a fitting tribute to the 1954 campaign. "It was a special day for everybody, and I think the current players appreciated it as much as the 1954 team. I think the people that came back appreciated it, and the current players were definitely impressed with the entire day." "It is important to know that past UMass teams have made it to the College World Series," said senior Adam Stojanowski. "Pretty much, all the important figures from UMass baseball were there."
This story was originally published in The Maroon & White.
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