CWS Legends team triggers fond memories

• CWS Legends team

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Fred Lynn and Darwin Barney have one thing in common that separates them from the other 23 players named Wednesday to the College World Series Legends team.

Lynn, an outfielder from Southern California, and Barney, a shortstop from Oregon State, each played on teams that won more than one national championship. Lynn was a member of three (1971 to '73) of the USC teams that won five straight national titles from 1970 to 1974. Barney played for the Beavers' championship teams in 2006 and 2007.

Eight other players — Arizona State second baseman Bob Horner, Louisiana State second baseman Todd Walker, ASU third baseman Sal Bando, Arizona outfielder Terry Francona, Cal State Fullerton outfielder Mark Kotsay, Ohio State pitcher Steve Arlin, Texas pitcher Huston Street and Fullerton pitcher Jason Windsor — played on title-winning teams.

The 25 players and three coaches — Skip Bertman of LSU, Rod Dedeaux of USC and Augie Garrido of Fullerton and Texas — were picked from a list of 95 nominees compiled by individuals representing the NCAA, The World-Herald and the National Baseball Writers Association.

The list included all players named to previous CWS anniversary teams (25th, 50th and all-decade), as well as individuals who played in Omaha in the past 14 years.

More than 100,000 votes were cast in voting that took place from mid-March to late April. Voting for the team was based solely on performances during the 60 years the CWS has been held at Omaha's Rosenblatt Stadium.

Mississippi State first baseman Will Clark, who played in Omaha in 1985, was the leading vote-getter with more than 3,000 votes. Minnesota pitcher-outfielder Dave Winfield finished second in the balloting with just less than 3,000 votes.

Barney and Miami third baseman Pat Burrell were named to the team by an oversight committee after the voting was completed. They represent players who deserved recognition but did not receive enough votes at a particular position.

Arizona State's Eddie Bane was added to the pitching staff by the oversight committee.

The three coaches selected have won 20 of the 60 CWS titles in Omaha. Dedeaux won 10 titles before retiring in 1986. He passed away in 2006.

Bertman's LSU teams claimed five championships from 1991 to 2000. Garrido is the only coach to lead two schools to titles, winning three (1979, 1984 and 1995) with Fullerton and two (2002, 2005) with Texas.

The members of the Legends team will be invited by the NCAA to attend this year's CWS, which will be the last held at Rosenblatt. They will be formally honored June 18 during the CWS opening ceremonies and will be invited to attend the opening day of the tournament June 19.

Contact the writer:

679-2298, steve.pivovar@owh.com

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• CWS Legends team

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