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The 10 Best College Baseball Teams Ever, Ranked

(Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)

Published Jun 20, 2023

So, you're wondering who the best college baseball teams of all-time are? Let's talk about it!

Baseball is one of the oldest known institutions in American culture. A little game that was invented in 1839 is now dubbed 'Americas Pastime" and is enjoyed by millions of people around the world at the highest level.

Almost 200 years later, the game has been tried and tested amongst several generations of newcomers. One of the best areas of the sport that sometimes gets overlooked is at the collegiate level. The true story however, is that college baseball is where the sport really gained traction.

In 1859, just twenty years after the game was invented, baseball became a fixture in college athletics. By 1893 a national championship game was invented and the rest is history.

Today, we take a look back at the most elite college baseball teams over the years. and rank the top 10.

1. 1983 University of Texas

Head Coach: Cliff Gustafson
Overall Record: 66-14
Conference Record: 24-0
Playoff Result: College World Series Champions
Notable Players: Roger Clemens, Calvin Schiraldi, Billy Bates, Jeff Hearron, Mike Brumley

The 1983 University of Texas Longhorns are widely considered to be the greatest college baseball team of all-time. They held an incredible 66 and 14 record, while going undefeated in conference play through 24 games. They were led by future MLB superstar Roger Clemens, winning the 1983 College World Series handily, beating the University of Alabama by a score of four to three. Notably, Texas became the first team to go undefeated in the College World Series.

2. 2012 University of Arizona

Head Coach: Andy Lopez
Overall Record: 48-17
Conference Record: 20-10
Playoff Result: College World Series Champions
Notable Players: Rob Refsnyder, Bobby Fisher-Brown, Alex Meija, Johnny Field, Kurt Heyer, Konner Wade

The 2012 University of Arizona Wildcats are one of the best teams in recent memory that took college baseball by storm. Led by head coach Andy Lopez, the Wildcats went a blistering 48-17, only losing 10 games in conference play. They blew out Florida State in the semifinals by a score of 10-3 before squaring off against South Carolina, who also proved to be no challenge, as Arizona won the championship in just two games.

3. 1974 University of Southern California

Head Coach: Rod Dedeaux
Overall Record: 50-20
Conference Record: 11-7
Playoff Result: College World Series Champions
Notable Players: Rich Dauer, Ken Huizenga, Ed Putnam, Randy Scarbery, Roy Smalley

In the 1970's college baseball was dominated by USC. Entering 1974, the school had won the last four national championships and looked to add a fifth. They were coached by legendary manager Rod Dedeaux. After squaring off against the University of Miami Hurricanes in the championship, USC secured their fifth title in a row. Notably, Rich Dauer was selected 24th overall to the Baltimore Orioles in the 1974 MLB Draft.

4. 2000 Louisiana State University

Head Coach: Skip Bertman
Overall Record: 52-17
Conference Record: 19-2
Playoff Result: College World Series Champions
Notable Players: Brad Cresse, Blair Barbier, Mike Fontenot, Bo Petit, Ryan Theriot, Cedrick Harris

If there is one thing that Louisiana State University excels at, it's their athletic programs. Whether it be football, basketball, or even baseball, LSU has dominated and won in some capacity. Their best baseball team ever can be attributed to the 2000 season. In his 17th season coaching LSU baseball, Skip Bertman helped guide the Tigers to a 52-17 record while only losing two games in conference play. After defeating Stanford 6-5 in the World Series, the 2000 LSU baseball squad cemented their legacy.

5. 1995 Cal State Fullerton

Head Coach: Augie Garrido
Overall Record: 57-9
Conference Record: 18-3
Playoff Result: College World Series Champions
Notable Players: C.J. Ankrum, Mark Kotsay, Jack Jones, Brian Loyd, Tony Martinez, Tony Miranda

To many, there is no team in college baseball as good as the 1995 Cal State squad. In his 20th season coaching in Fullerton, Augie Garrido led his team to a 57-9 record and his third national championship. They were led by future MLB draft picks Jon Ward, Tom Dixon, D.C. Olsen, Tony Miranda, and others. It is truly remarkable Cal State only lost nine games in a 60+ game season.

6. 1986 University of Arizona

Head Coach: Jerry Kindall
Overall Record: 49-19
Conference Record: 18-12
Playoff Result: College World Series Champions
Notable Players: Dave Rohde, Todd Trafton, Tommy Hinzo, Michael Senne, David Carley, Joel Estes

The University of Arizona Wildcats earn another entry on this list for their impeccable 1986 squad who claimed a national title. The Wildcats had an impressive 49-19 record, while only losing 12 games in conference play. They squared off against Florida State in the World Series, but dismantled them with ease, winning 10-2 and securing Jerry Kindall his third College World Series.

7. 1977 Arizona State

Head Coach: Jim Brock
Overall Record: 57-12
Conference Record: 15-3
Playoff Result: College World Series Champions
Notable Players: Jamie Allen, Hubie Brooks, Chris Bando, Mike Henderson, Bob Horner, Dave Hudgens, Brandt Humphrey

If there is one thing the state of Arizona is surely good at, it's putting together other worldly collegiate baseball teams. Our number seven entry looks at the Wildcats rival in the Arizona State Sun Devils, who were exceptional in 1977, only losing 12 games all season and maintaining a 15-3 record in conference play. They defeated a budding South Carolina team 2-1 in the World Series to secure Jim Brock his first title.

8. 2017 University of Florida

Head Coach: Kevin O’Sullivan
Overall Record: 52-19
Conference Record: 21-9
Playoff Result: College World Series Champions
Notable Players: Michael Byrne, Tyler Dyson, Alex Faedo, Dalton Guthrie, Jonathan India, Jackson Kowar, Brady Singer

The 2017 college baseball season was truly the year of the Gator. In 2016, Florida finished seventh in the World Series after losing to the eventual champions in Coastal Carolina. Kevin O'Sullivan would go on to avenge that loss with an exceptional 2017 campaign in which the Gators went 52-19, dropping just nine games in conference play. They faced LSU in the World Series, and took care of them easily in two games, securing the Gators their first College World Series.

9. 1987 Stanford University

Head Coach: Mark Marquess
Overall Record: 53-17
Conference Record: 21-9
Playoff Result: College World Series Champions
Notable Players: Steve Chitren, Paul Carey, David Esquer, Mark Machtolf, Jack McDowell

Stanford University has a robust history of collegiate sports, having dominated in several sports from football to baseball. Their best run came in 1987 when they bulldozed their way through the regular season, boasting a record of 53-17. In just his eleventh season as head coach, Mark Marquess had completely turned around Stanford baseball, with his crowning moment coming when Stanford defeated Oklahoma State to win the World Series. Notably, Stanford defended their title and won the 1988 World Series as well.

10. 2001 University of Miami

Head Coach: Jim Morris
Overall Record: 53-12
Conference Record: 19-6
Playoff Result: College World Series Champions
Notable Players: Kevin Brown, Danny Matienzo, Charlton Jimerson, Kevin Howard, Tom Farmer, Mike Rodriguez, Javier Rodriguez, Tom Farmer

The University of Miami Hurricanes had one of the best sporting programs in the nation in the early 2000's, having won national championships in Football, Basketball, and Baseball. Their World Series winning team in 2001 is one of the best baseball teams to take on a collegiate field. They were an incredible 53-12, all while only dropping 6 games in conference play. Notable players drafted in the 2001 MLB draft from Miami include Mike Rodriguez, Chris Sheffield, Brian Walker, Charlton Jimerson, and many others.

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