Who are the college baseball blue bloods?
With Texas once again making it to the College World Series, let’s look at the seven best programs in college baseball history.
To qualify as a blue blood, a program must have sustained success over a long period of time. While programs like Vanderbilt, Oregon State, and Arkansas have experienced great success in recent years, they lack the requisite history to qualify.
Programs like Oklahoma State and Florida State certainly have enough College World Series to be in the conversation, but blue bloods must have the hardware.
For our purposes, the nod will go to programs with the best combination of national championships, College World Series appearances, and players sent to the MLB.
Here is a list of seven teams that can stake claim to blue blood status.
Texas Longhorns (6 National Championships, 38 College World Series appearances)
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With 38 College World Series appearances, Texas stands high above the field for most trips to Omaha. 354-game winner Roger Clemens and elite closer Huston Street represent the best of Texas baseball. With yesterday’s home run, current Longhorns first baseman Ivan Melendez tied Mark McGuire on the all-time home run list with 32 this season. Texas most recently won the national championship in 2002 and 2005, finishing as the runner up to LSU in 2009.
USC Trojans (12 National Championships, 21 College World Series appearances)
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The Trojans’ twelve national championships are double the next highest championship total. However, USC baseball has disappeared from the national stage in the last two decades. The Trojans have made the NCAA tournament only twice since 2002 and have failed to reach the College World Series since 2001. Mark McGuire, Barry Zito, and Tom Seaver are among the great players that hail from USC.
Arizona State Sun Devils (5 National Championships, 22 College World Series appearances)
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Reggie Jackson. Barry Bonds. Ian Kinsler. Justin Pedroia. Jason Kipnis. Arizona State easily boasts one of the best MLB factories in the nation. The Sun Devils have been a major contributor to the history of college baseball and certainly warrant recognition. Their five national championships are the third highest total in college baseball.
LSU Tigers (6 National Championships, 18 College World Series appearances)
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LSU is more new blood than blue blood, having won all its six championships after 1990 (1991, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, and 2009). However, their six championships undeniably make them one of the greatest programs in baseball history and arguably the best coaching job in college baseball. The Tigers have been well represented in the MLB lately with Alex Bregman, Aaron Nola, DJ LeMahieu, and Kevin Gausman.
Miami Hurricanes (4 National Championships, 25 College World Series Appearances)
Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports
Miami’s mark of 25 College World Series appearances is second most in college baseball. Like Texas, Miami can point to more than one era of great baseball. The Hurricanes claim the longest postseason appearance streak with 44 consecutive appearances. Add to that 14 first round picks in the MLB draft, and you have one of the premier programs in college baseball.
Cal State Fullerton (4 National Championships, 18 College World Series appearances)
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Cal State Fullerton shares a few things with the University of Texas. Among the commonalities are multiple championship appearances, many of which occurred with legendary manager Augie Garrido leading the respective teams. Fullerton has been an Oakland Athletics factory, among other things. Mark Kotsay, Jeremy Giambi, Khris Davis, and Matt Chapman are among the former Titans to carve careers in the league. Many others have contributed at the MLB level.
Arizona Wildcats (4 National Championships, 17 College World Series appearances)
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Arizona makes the cut among blue bloods, amassing 92 players drafted. Among them are Mark Melancon and Kenny Lofton, producing at a high level in the big leagues. Like many of the other programs, the Wildcats have been a college baseball mainstay, winning multiple national championships and tournament games. They are one of seven teams with at least four national championships.
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