re: Top 5 LSU Baseball Players of All Time

'89 regional vs. A&M game 2:

Springer started

relieved by Paul Byrd

Relieved by Curt Leskanic (win)

Releived by Ben McDonald (save)


McDonald actually didn't even pitch that well in the first game against the Aggies. He gave up 5 runs. He was starting to go downhill due to being used so damn much. He pitched 7-8 innings in game 1 and then came back to save game two. He still had a good post season...jujst a really shitty CWS. Miami lit him up and then Texas really made him look bad. Meanwhile, Leskanic shut down Long Beach State in the elimination game and then Russ Springer beat Miami in the 2nd elim game. All cylinders were clicking but for Ben McDonald in the CWS.

Come to think of it, Ben really never had a great season in the majors, either...and he only picthed in the bigs for about 7 total seasons. I think Bertman's overuse of him probably cut his career in half. Look at Springer...still pitching and might be for another 2-3 years. Springer threw hard, himself, but he wasn't used like McDonald was. Too bad...Ben was without a doubt the nastiest pitcher we ever had and he was pretty basic - split fingered fast ball and slider. He wasn't crafty like Coleman or a Pat Coogan. He was just a 6'7" athlete who could throw 97 mph.

The '89 team, by the way, was the last LSU team to make it to post season and not host a regional. Beating a team like A&M, who had 5 losses the entire year in a stacked SWC, was next to impossible. Beating them twice in one day - facing elimination - was beyond impossible. I was there and one of the few...it never gets talked about, but that should be right up there with '93 football vs. Bama and '86 Elite 8 vs. Kentucky in basketball as far as biggest upsets in LSU sports history. You think '93 Tigers could have beaten Bama again after that game? The '86 b'ball team beat UK and Sky Walker twice in a day? Great memories.

I was thinking on Sunday and get there by Tuesday. I think Bobby Moore is gonna drive the first leg from Baton Rouge to Austin. Then you got 2nd leg. YOu got room assignments ready to go? Who do you think I am rooming with? Break it down.

Um...nah. I can't be trying to sleep while he's on Youtube making a video about how to catch rain on your tongue in Seattle.

I think that the keg needs to be put in this room:

Bad Cat
Sammich
Orko
Goldenboy


And I think you and Maximus, PJ, and The Boat need to room together this go around.

No, here's my suggestion there:

xiv
tiger20
LSUBeatles
Bad Cat

back to the topic.

I'm surprised the Blaire Barbier homers haven't mentioned him...not that he wasn't an excellent Tiger and one of the best 4 year guys - in the mold of Jason Williams and Tookie Johnson...but Barbier was not in the same league with guys like Walker, Russ Johnson, and Furniss.

i think barbier ranks up there with our best 3B

him, trey mcclure, and nate dunn

Whoa whoa whoa what is this about?

There have been a lot of really good players mentioned, but when you talk about the best LSU player of all time there is only one answer...

Albert "don't call me Joey" Belle.

This guy was great in college and in MLB. He was on his way to a HOF career when injuries stopped him.

At LSU he was hitting more and longer home runs than anyone. He was one of the most feared hitters in all of college baseball. This was long before the bats that produced all of the long balls.

Unfortunately he could not control his volatile temper and Skip Bertman threw him off of the team. This had tremendous results for years to come when it came to team discipline. If Skip threw Belle off of the team, he would throw anyone off.

I think some may forget what a great ballplayer Belle was because of how his LSU and pro careers ended.

I think most here really started to pay attention in the mid to late 80s. I only mentioned guys I saw play, no other way to do it. That's when some of the older guys with a longer perspective can share their knowledge.

Fruniss had unbeliveable numbers, he has got to be close to the top. By the time they are through a few on this team might need to be considered as well ( Mikie, Nola . Matty and Possibly Hanover) only time will tell. :geauxtigers: