Rice Owls baseball
Encyclopedia
The Rice Owls baseball team is the interscholastic baseball
team representing Rice University
in Houston, Texas
. The Rice Owls have been a regular fixture in the NCAA Tournament
, participating in every tournament since 1995 including a victory in the 2003 College World Series
, the first national championship for Rice athletics
in any sport.
Rice is a member of Conference USA
and held an unbroken streak of 13 straight conference championships: three in Conference USA, nine in the Western Athletic Conference
, and a victory in the final baseball tournament of the now-defunct Southwest Conference. The streak ended in 2009 when East Carolina won the regular-season conference title; however, Rice won the post-season tournament. Rice subsequently won the 2010 and 2011 regular-season C-USA titles.
The Owls are managed by head coach Wayne Graham
, whose 785 victories over 17 seasons make him both the winningest and longest-tenured coach in Rice history. Graham is currently under contract through the 2011 season.
Rice plays its home games at Reckling Park
on the Rice campus in Houston. Rice is also a yearly participant in the local Houston College Classic, held since 2001 at Houston's Minute Maid Park
.
|-
| valign="top" |
{| cellpadding="1" border="1" cellspacing="0" style="width:80%;"
|-
!bgcolor="#000080"| Coach
!bgcolor="#000080"| Years
!bgcolor="#000080"| Record
!bgcolor="#000080"| Conference Record
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Wayne Graham
|| 1992-current || 785-297 (as of 1/1/09) || 334-130
|- style="text-align:center;"
| David Hall || 1981–1991 || 338-267 || 85-145
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Doug Osburn || 1963–1980 || 270-332 || 122-215
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Joe Gallagher
|| 1962 || 10-12 || 4-9
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Dell Morgan || 1953–1961 || 77-113-1 || 52-76
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Harold Stockbridge || 1949–1952 || 29-38 || 10-33
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Jess Neely
|| 1945, 1948 || 13-26-1 || 9-16
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Cecil Grigg
|| 1936-44, 1946–1947 || 60-139-5 || 36-101
|- style="text-align:center;"
| John Neimic || 1931–1932 || 13-17 || 12-12
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Danny Allnoch || 1930 || ??? || 5-12
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Gene Bailey
|| 1929–1930 || 9-16 || 7-14
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Charley Schwartz || 1928 || 3-7 || 3-7
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Dickie Kerr
|| 1927–1928 || ??? || 9-21
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Joe Bedenk
|| 1925–1926 || ??? || 11-12
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Michael O'Neill || 1924 || 4-12 || 3-11
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Bob Countryman || 1922–1923 || 6-14 || 4-12
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Pete Cawthon
|| 1921–1922 || ??? || 4-18
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Jack Coombs
|| 1918 || 6-8 || 0-2
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Phillip Arbuckle
|| 1913–1917 || 26-38-2 || 8-24-1
|}
has turned the Rice baseball team from bottom-feeder of the SWC to a national power since his entry in the early nineties. After a lengthy and storied career at San Jacinto College
that included five junior college championships, Graham brought his winning ways back to Houston. From his spot on the Owls' third-base line, Graham has coached 27 different players to All-America honors. Recently, Baseball America
ranked Rice as the best baseball program in a nine-year survey of all 293 Division I programs since 1999. Data cited in the survey included Rice's five College World Series appearances and 2003 championship, its 35 major-league draft picks, and its 15 All-America selections over that span.
having earned the WAC
regular-season championship, and moved handily through the regionals, defeating McNeese State once and Wichita State twice at their home-field Reckling Park to advance. In the super-regional round, Rice faced off against conference and cross-town rival, the University of Houston
. Rice carried a 30-game win streak into the series and had already bested the Cougars four games to one in their regular season series. After losing the first game 5-2, Rice rallied to win the second game 10-2 behind four home runs, including a three-run homer by Vincent Sinisi. Rice finished off the Cougars with a 5-2 victory in Game 3.
Entering the 2003 College World Series
, Rice was feared from the start due to their overpowering pitching behind a trio of sophomores, Jeff Niemann
, Wade Townsend
, and Philip Humber
. Rice moved through the tournament with three straight victories, a 4-2 win over Southwest Missouri State (now Missouri State University), a 12-2 drubbing of the University of Texas
, and another victory to eliminate reigning CWS-champion Texas. Texas had already lost to Rice 2-1 earlier in the season. The Owls knocked the Longhorns out in dramatic fashion as catcher Justin Ruchti hit a one-run RBI in the bottom of the 9th off Texas closer Huston Street
, who had been named most outstanding player in the 2002 College World Series
. The Owls' two wins against Texas was a change of outcome from the previous CWS, where Texas had beaten Rice in their opening game.
The best-of-three championship series pitted Rice against Stanford
. Rice won the first game with its second straight walkoff victory, as Chris Kolkhorst scored from second on a throwing error in the bottom of the 10th to win 4-3. Stanford rallied in the second game the next night to win 8-3, but the Owls clinched their first-ever national championship in any sport with a 14-2 blowout in the finale. For their part, each member of the Owls pitching trio played a hand in the championship series; Niemann followed three early runs with seven scoreless innings in Game 1, Townsend pitched well in Game 2 despite two costly seventh inning errors, and Humber threw a complete-game five-hitter to close out the series and the College World Series championship.
Upon returning to Houston, the Owls were honored in a "Parade of Champions" by the City of Houston. The University commissioned a painting of the championship to sell to fans and alumni that is still available in print form. Finally, the team capped off their celebrations with a visit to the White House
. At the time, President Bush
recalled watching Rice games in his youth, commending the team on their accomplishments.
145 times. They have met for each of the past 37 seasons. The season-long series between these two teams has been known as the Silver Glove series
since 1998, which Rice has lost only once. Overall, Rice leads the all-time series between their cross-town rivals by a record of 77-68.
in 1915, the first year of the Southwest Conference. Rice went 0-4 that first year, starting a trend of lopsided season series that lasted for 40 years, including no wins against the Longhorns for twelve years. Rice finally won two consecutive season series in 1955 and '56, and again in 1972 and '73. The only other Rice season series win before Wayne Graham came to Rice was 1978.
One notable win came in 1977, as Texas began the season with 34 consecutive wins, which was snapped by a 4-3 loss to the Owls in extra innings. This Texas record still stands today.
Since Graham arrived on South Main in 1994, the two teams have played more evenly, going 15-17 in that span. During Rice's resurgence, Rice and Texas have met twice in the College World Series. In 2002, Texas handed Rice a first-round loss. In 2003, however, Rice turned the tables, defeating the Longhorns twice en route to their eventual championship.
Since their end-of-the-season meetings in 2002 and 2003, the rivalry has been acknowledged as one of the most tense rivalries in college baseball. In the run up to the 2004 Minute Maid College Classic, The Daily Texan
likened the Rice-Texas rivalry to the college basketball matchup between North Carolina and Duke, one of college sport's most famed rivalries. Factors contributing to the continued rivalry between the two schools include their proximity to one another, as well as the fact that many of their players compete together in summer leagues.
Overall, Texas leads the series 202-52-2.
|-
! colspan="10" style="background-color: #002469; color: white; text-align: center;" |
|-
| colspan="3" style="background-color: #5e6062; color: white; text-align: center;" | Players
| colspan="1" style="background-color: #5e6062; color: white; text-align: center;" |Coaches
|-
| valign="top" | Pitchers
Catchers
| valign="top" |Infielders
Outfielders
| width="25px" |
| valign="top" |Coaches
|-
|}
, Gold Glover José Cruz, Jr.
, and five-time All-Star and St. Louis Cardinals
right fielder Lance Berkman
.
In 2004, Rice became the first school ever to have three players selected in the first round of the MLB draft when Philip Humber
, Jeff Niemann
and Wade Townsend
were selected third, fourth and eighth, respectively.
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
team representing Rice University
Rice University
William Marsh Rice University, commonly referred to as Rice University or Rice, is a private research university located on a heavily wooded campus in Houston, Texas, United States...
in Houston, Texas
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
. The Rice Owls have been a regular fixture in the NCAA Tournament
NCAA Division I Baseball Championship
The NCAA Division I Baseball Championship tournament is held each year from May through June and features 64 college baseball teams in the United States, culminating in the College World Series....
, participating in every tournament since 1995 including a victory in the 2003 College World Series
2003 College World Series
The 2003 College World Series was held June 13 through June 23, 2003 in Omaha, Nebraska. Eight NCAA Division I college baseball teams met after having played their way through a 64-team bracket to play at historic Rosenblatt Stadium. In the first best-of-three championship series since 1948, Rice...
, the first national championship for Rice athletics
Rice Owls
The Rice University athletic teams are known as the Rice Owls. The name comes from the owls in Rice's crest.Rice participates in NCAA Division I athletics and is part of Conference USA. Rice was a member of the Southwest Conference until its breakup in 1996. Rice then joined the Western Athletic...
in any sport.
Rice is a member of Conference USA
Conference USA
Conference USA, officially abbreviated C-USA, is a college athletic conference whose member institutions are located within the Southern United States. The conference participates in the NCAA's Division I in all sports...
and held an unbroken streak of 13 straight conference championships: three in Conference USA, nine in the Western Athletic Conference
Western Athletic Conference
The Western Athletic Conference is an American collegiate athletic conference, which was formed on July 27, 1962, making it the sixth oldest of the 11 college athletic conferences currently participating in the NCAA's Division I FBS...
, and a victory in the final baseball tournament of the now-defunct Southwest Conference. The streak ended in 2009 when East Carolina won the regular-season conference title; however, Rice won the post-season tournament. Rice subsequently won the 2010 and 2011 regular-season C-USA titles.
The Owls are managed by head coach Wayne Graham
Wayne Graham
Wayne Leon Graham is a former major-league baseball player and the college baseball coach of the Rice Owls baseball team in Houston, Texas.-Playing career:...
, whose 785 victories over 17 seasons make him both the winningest and longest-tenured coach in Rice history. Graham is currently under contract through the 2011 season.
Rice plays its home games at Reckling Park
Reckling Park
Reckling Park is the baseball stadium at Rice University in Houston, Texas, USA. It serves as the home field of the Rice Owls baseball team. The stadium was built on the site of Cameron Field, Rice's home from 1978-99, in time for the 2000 season...
on the Rice campus in Houston. Rice is also a yearly participant in the local Houston College Classic, held since 2001 at Houston's Minute Maid Park
Minute Maid Park
Minute Maid Park is a ballpark in Downtown Houston, Texas, United States that opened in 2000 to house the Major League Baseball Houston Astros....
.
Conference Membership History
- 1913: Independent
- 1914-1996: Southwest Conference
- 1997-2005: Western Athletic ConferenceWestern Athletic ConferenceThe Western Athletic Conference is an American collegiate athletic conference, which was formed on July 27, 1962, making it the sixth oldest of the 11 college athletic conferences currently participating in the NCAA's Division I FBS...
- 2006–Present: Conference USAConference USAConference USA, officially abbreviated C-USA, is a college athletic conference whose member institutions are located within the Southern United States. The conference participates in the NCAA's Division I in all sports...
Head coaches
{| border="0" style="width:100%;"|-
| valign="top" |
{| cellpadding="1" border="1" cellspacing="0" style="width:80%;"
|-
!bgcolor="#000080"| Coach
!bgcolor="#000080"| Years
!bgcolor="#000080"| Record
!bgcolor="#000080"| Conference Record
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Wayne Graham
Wayne Graham
Wayne Leon Graham is a former major-league baseball player and the college baseball coach of the Rice Owls baseball team in Houston, Texas.-Playing career:...
|| 1992-current || 785-297 (as of 1/1/09) || 334-130
|- style="text-align:center;"
| David Hall || 1981–1991 || 338-267 || 85-145
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Doug Osburn || 1963–1980 || 270-332 || 122-215
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Joe Gallagher
Joe Gallagher (baseball)
Joseph Emmett Gallagher , nicknamed "Muscles," was an American left and right fielder in Major League Baseball during the and baseball seasons....
|| 1962 || 10-12 || 4-9
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Dell Morgan || 1953–1961 || 77-113-1 || 52-76
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Harold Stockbridge || 1949–1952 || 29-38 || 10-33
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Jess Neely
Jess Neely
Jess C. Neely was an American football player and coach of football and baseball. He served as the head football coach at Southwestern University, now Rhodes College , Clemson University , and Rice University , compiling a career college football record of 207–176–19...
|| 1945, 1948 || 13-26-1 || 9-16
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Cecil Grigg
Cecil Grigg
Cecil Burkett "Tex" Grigg was an American football player who played running back for eight seasons in the National Football League for the Canton Bulldogs, the Rochester Jeffersons, the New York Giants, and the Frankford Yellow Jackets...
|| 1936-44, 1946–1947 || 60-139-5 || 36-101
|- style="text-align:center;"
| John Neimic || 1931–1932 || 13-17 || 12-12
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Danny Allnoch || 1930 || ??? || 5-12
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Gene Bailey
Gene Bailey
Arthur Eugene Bailey was a backup outfielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Philadelphia Athletics , Boston Braves , Boston Red Sox and Brooklyn Robins . Bailey batted and threw right-handed...
|| 1929–1930 || 9-16 || 7-14
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Charley Schwartz || 1928 || 3-7 || 3-7
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Dickie Kerr
Dickie Kerr
Richard Henry "Dickey" Kerr was a starting pitcher for the Chicago White Sox from -. As a rookie, he won 13 games and both his starts in the 1919 World Series, which would lead to the permanent suspensions of eight of his teammates in the Black Sox Scandal...
|| 1927–1928 || ??? || 9-21
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Joe Bedenk
Joe Bedenk
-External links:*...
|| 1925–1926 || ??? || 11-12
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Michael O'Neill || 1924 || 4-12 || 3-11
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Bob Countryman || 1922–1923 || 6-14 || 4-12
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Pete Cawthon
Pete Cawthon
Peter Willis Cawthon was the head coach of the Texas Tech Red Raiders football team from 1930-1941.Cawthon graduated from Houston Central High School in 1917 and went on to attend Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. He lettered in baseball, football, and basketball during his freshman year...
|| 1921–1922 || ??? || 4-18
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Jack Coombs
Jack Coombs
John Wesley "Jack" Coombs , nicknamed Colby Jack after his alma mater, was a pitcher in Major League Baseball who played with the Philadelphia Athletics , Brooklyn Robins , and Detroit Tigers...
|| 1918 || 6-8 || 0-2
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Phillip Arbuckle
Phillip Arbuckle
-Baseball:-References:...
|| 1913–1917 || 26-38-2 || 8-24-1
|}
Southwest Conference (1914-1996)
In 83 years of Southwest Conference play, Rice spent most of those years being dominated by superior SWC opponents. Rice finished in the bottom half of the conference in 72 seasons, including an entire decade, the 1920s. Rice finished in last place for 24 of those seasons. The highest Rice rankings in SWC regular season play were second place finishes in 1984 and 1994. Rice was, however, the victor in the last Southwest Conference game, prevailing over Texas to win the final Southwest Conference Tournament Championship.The Wayne Graham Era (1992-present)
Current head coach Wayne GrahamWayne Graham
Wayne Leon Graham is a former major-league baseball player and the college baseball coach of the Rice Owls baseball team in Houston, Texas.-Playing career:...
has turned the Rice baseball team from bottom-feeder of the SWC to a national power since his entry in the early nineties. After a lengthy and storied career at San Jacinto College
San Jacinto College
San Jacinto College is a community college in the Greater Houston area in the U.S. state of Texas. Established in 1961, San Jacinto College originally consisted of the areas of Channelview ISD, Deer Park ISD, Galena Park ISD, La Porte ISD, and Pasadena ISD. The College now also serves Sheldon ISD,...
that included five junior college championships, Graham brought his winning ways back to Houston. From his spot on the Owls' third-base line, Graham has coached 27 different players to All-America honors. Recently, Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
ranked Rice as the best baseball program in a nine-year survey of all 293 Division I programs since 1999. Data cited in the survey included Rice's five College World Series appearances and 2003 championship, its 35 major-league draft picks, and its 15 All-America selections over that span.
Championship: 2003 College World Series
Rice entered the 2003 postseason2003 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament
The 2003 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament was held from May 30 through June 23, . 64 NCAA Division I college baseball teams met after having played their way through a regular season, and for some, a conference tournament, to play in the NCAA Tournament...
having earned the WAC
Western Athletic Conference
The Western Athletic Conference is an American collegiate athletic conference, which was formed on July 27, 1962, making it the sixth oldest of the 11 college athletic conferences currently participating in the NCAA's Division I FBS...
regular-season championship, and moved handily through the regionals, defeating McNeese State once and Wichita State twice at their home-field Reckling Park to advance. In the super-regional round, Rice faced off against conference and cross-town rival, the University of Houston
Houston Cougars baseball
The Houston Cougars baseball team is the college baseball team of the University of Houston.Along with the university's other athletic teams, the baseball team is a member of the Conference USA as a Division I team. They play their home games at Cougar Field. In addition to numerous NCAA...
. Rice carried a 30-game win streak into the series and had already bested the Cougars four games to one in their regular season series. After losing the first game 5-2, Rice rallied to win the second game 10-2 behind four home runs, including a three-run homer by Vincent Sinisi. Rice finished off the Cougars with a 5-2 victory in Game 3.
Entering the 2003 College World Series
2003 College World Series
The 2003 College World Series was held June 13 through June 23, 2003 in Omaha, Nebraska. Eight NCAA Division I college baseball teams met after having played their way through a 64-team bracket to play at historic Rosenblatt Stadium. In the first best-of-three championship series since 1948, Rice...
, Rice was feared from the start due to their overpowering pitching behind a trio of sophomores, Jeff Niemann
Jeff Niemann
Jeffrey Warren Niemann is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays.-College:...
, Wade Townsend
Wade Townsend
Wade Daniel Townsend is a Minor League Baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He was the Tampa Bay Rays' first-round draft pick out of Rice University in 2005, signing for a $1.5 million bonus...
, and Philip Humber
Philip Humber
Philip Gregory Humber is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Chicago White Sox.-Early life:Humber attended Carthage High School in Carthage, Texas...
. Rice moved through the tournament with three straight victories, a 4-2 win over Southwest Missouri State (now Missouri State University), a 12-2 drubbing of the University of Texas
Texas Longhorns baseball
The Texas Longhorns baseball team represents The University of Texas at Austin and competes in the Big 12 Conference of NCAA Division I.The Texas Longhorns are the winningest program in college baseball history in terms of win percentage with .740 and ranks second all-time in total wins to the...
, and another victory to eliminate reigning CWS-champion Texas. Texas had already lost to Rice 2-1 earlier in the season. The Owls knocked the Longhorns out in dramatic fashion as catcher Justin Ruchti hit a one-run RBI in the bottom of the 9th off Texas closer Huston Street
Huston Street
Huston Lowell Street is an American baseball relief pitcher for the Colorado Rockies. His father is former University of Texas quarterback James Street, and his brother Juston Street is currently a pitcher for the minor league Vancouver Canadians....
, who had been named most outstanding player in the 2002 College World Series
2002 College World Series
The 2002 College World Series was held June 14 through June 22, 2002 in Omaha, Nebraska. Eight NCAA Division I college baseball teams met after having played their way through a 64-team bracket to play at historic Rosenblatt Stadium...
. The Owls' two wins against Texas was a change of outcome from the previous CWS, where Texas had beaten Rice in their opening game.
The best-of-three championship series pitted Rice against Stanford
Stanford Cardinal baseball
The Stanford Cardinal baseball team represents Stanford University in NCAA Division I college baseball. Along with most other Stanford athletic teams, the baseball team participates in the Pacific-10 Conference. The Cardinal play their home games on campus at the Sunken Diamond, and they are...
. Rice won the first game with its second straight walkoff victory, as Chris Kolkhorst scored from second on a throwing error in the bottom of the 10th to win 4-3. Stanford rallied in the second game the next night to win 8-3, but the Owls clinched their first-ever national championship in any sport with a 14-2 blowout in the finale. For their part, each member of the Owls pitching trio played a hand in the championship series; Niemann followed three early runs with seven scoreless innings in Game 1, Townsend pitched well in Game 2 despite two costly seventh inning errors, and Humber threw a complete-game five-hitter to close out the series and the College World Series championship.
Upon returning to Houston, the Owls were honored in a "Parade of Champions" by the City of Houston. The University commissioned a painting of the championship to sell to fans and alumni that is still available in print form. Finally, the team capped off their celebrations with a visit to the White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
. At the time, President Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
recalled watching Rice games in his youth, commending the team on their accomplishments.
University of Houston
Since their first meeting in 1948, Rice has played HoustonHouston Cougars baseball
The Houston Cougars baseball team is the college baseball team of the University of Houston.Along with the university's other athletic teams, the baseball team is a member of the Conference USA as a Division I team. They play their home games at Cougar Field. In addition to numerous NCAA...
145 times. They have met for each of the past 37 seasons. The season-long series between these two teams has been known as the Silver Glove series
Silver Glove series
Silver Glove Series is a series played between the University of Houston Cougars and Rice University Owls in college baseball. The series began in 1998. The Rice Owls have dominated in the series, winning it each year since 2001. The Owls and Cougars compete in the same conference, Conference USA....
since 1998, which Rice has lost only once. Overall, Rice leads the all-time series between their cross-town rivals by a record of 77-68.
University of Texas
Rice first played TexasTexas Longhorns baseball
The Texas Longhorns baseball team represents The University of Texas at Austin and competes in the Big 12 Conference of NCAA Division I.The Texas Longhorns are the winningest program in college baseball history in terms of win percentage with .740 and ranks second all-time in total wins to the...
in 1915, the first year of the Southwest Conference. Rice went 0-4 that first year, starting a trend of lopsided season series that lasted for 40 years, including no wins against the Longhorns for twelve years. Rice finally won two consecutive season series in 1955 and '56, and again in 1972 and '73. The only other Rice season series win before Wayne Graham came to Rice was 1978.
One notable win came in 1977, as Texas began the season with 34 consecutive wins, which was snapped by a 4-3 loss to the Owls in extra innings. This Texas record still stands today.
Since Graham arrived on South Main in 1994, the two teams have played more evenly, going 15-17 in that span. During Rice's resurgence, Rice and Texas have met twice in the College World Series. In 2002, Texas handed Rice a first-round loss. In 2003, however, Rice turned the tables, defeating the Longhorns twice en route to their eventual championship.
Since their end-of-the-season meetings in 2002 and 2003, the rivalry has been acknowledged as one of the most tense rivalries in college baseball. In the run up to the 2004 Minute Maid College Classic, The Daily Texan
The Daily Texan
The Daily Texan is the student newspaper of the University of Texas at Austin. It is entirely student-run and independent from the university. It is one of the largest college newspapers in the United States with a daily circulation of roughly 30,000 during the fall and spring semesters and bills...
likened the Rice-Texas rivalry to the college basketball matchup between North Carolina and Duke, one of college sport's most famed rivalries. Factors contributing to the continued rivalry between the two schools include their proximity to one another, as well as the fact that many of their players compete together in summer leagues.
Overall, Texas leads the series 202-52-2.
Stadium
Reckling Park is the baseball stadium at Rice University in Houston, Texas, USA. It has a capacity of 5,368 and serves as the home field of the Rice Owls baseball team. The stadium was built on the site of Cameron Field, Rice's home from 1978–99, in time for the 2000 season.Current roster
{| class="toccolours" style="font-size: 95%;"|-
! colspan="10" style="background-color: #002469; color: white; text-align: center;" |
|-
| colspan="3" style="background-color: #5e6062; color: white; text-align: center;" | Players
| colspan="1" style="background-color: #5e6062; color: white; text-align: center;" |Coaches
|-
| valign="top" | Pitchers
- #30 - Andrew Benak
- #28 - Ryan Berry
- #12 - Matt Evers
- #9 - Anthony Fazio
- #24 - Abel Gonzales
- #34 - Andy Hamilton
- #35 - Zack Harwood
- #27 - Mark Haynes
- #17 - Mike Ojala
- #29 - Matthew Reckling
- #32 - Jared Rogers
- #31 - Jordan Rogers
- #26 - Taylor Wall
- #43 - Travis Wright
Catchers
- #19 - John Hale
- #10 - Craig Manuel
- #13 - Dave Peterson
| valign="top" |Infielders
- #14 - Jess Buenger
- #2 - Jimmy Comerota
- #33 - Trey Crain
- #25 - Nick DeBiasse
- #15 - Michael Fuda
- #1 - Daniel Gonzales-Luna
- #11 - Rick Hague
- #7 - Brock Holt
- #23 - Anthony Rendon
- #5 - Diego Seastrunk
- #44 - Luke Wilson
Outfielders
- #16 - Ryan Lewis
- #4 - Chad Mozingo
- #18 - Nick Natale
- #3 - Jeremy Rathjen
- #38 - Doug Simmons
- #21 - Steven Sultzbaugh
| width="25px" |
| valign="top" |Coaches
- #37 - Wayne GrahamWayne GrahamWayne Leon Graham is a former major-league baseball player and the college baseball coach of the Rice Owls baseball team in Houston, Texas.-Playing career:...
(Head Coach)
- #22 - David Pierce (Assistant Coach)
- #6 - Mike Taylor (Assistant Coach)
- #20 - Patrick Hallmark (Assistant Coach)
- Donna Papangellin (Athletic Trainer)
- Lee Ann Lassiter (Director of Baseball Operations)
- Daniel Watson (Student Manager)
|-
|}
Former players
Rice has sent more than 20 players on to the major leagues. Most notable among these are All-Star pitcher Norm CharltonNorm Charlton
Norman Wood Charlton III , nicknamed "The Sheriff", is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds , Seattle Mariners , Philadelphia Phillies , Baltimore Orioles , Atlanta Braves , and Tampa Bay Devil Rays .Charlton holds three degrees from Rice University.The left-handed...
, Gold Glover José Cruz, Jr.
José Cruz, Jr.
José Luis Cruz, Jr. is a retired Major League Baseball outfielder. Over his nine year playing career, Cruz played for eight different teams. Standing 6'0" tall and weighing 210 pounds, Cruz was a right-handed switch hitter...
, and five-time All-Star and St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
right fielder Lance Berkman
Lance Berkman
William Lance Berkman is an American professional baseball outfielder and right fielder with the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball....
.
In 2004, Rice became the first school ever to have three players selected in the first round of the MLB draft when Philip Humber
Philip Humber
Philip Gregory Humber is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Chicago White Sox.-Early life:Humber attended Carthage High School in Carthage, Texas...
, Jeff Niemann
Jeff Niemann
Jeffrey Warren Niemann is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays.-College:...
and Wade Townsend
Wade Townsend
Wade Daniel Townsend is a Minor League Baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He was the Tampa Bay Rays' first-round draft pick out of Rice University in 2005, signing for a $1.5 million bonus...
were selected third, fourth and eighth, respectively.
List of Rice Owls in Major League Baseball
Active players in bold.- David AardsmaDavid AardsmaDavid Allan Aardsma is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball. He is the first player alphabetically in the list of all-time Major League Baseball players, having displaced Hank Aaron upon his MLB debut....
(2004-) - Matt AndersonMatt AndersonMatthew Jason Anderson is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently a free agent.-Early life and college career:...
(1998–2005) - Jim AsbellJim AsbellJames Marion Asbell was an outfielder in Major League Baseball for the Chicago Cubs. Nicknamed "Big Train," his career was a brief one, consisting of a single season, the Cubs' World Series year of 1938....
(1938) - Phil BarzillaPhil BarzillaPhilip Joseph Barzilla is an American professional baseball player in the San Diego Padres organization...
(2006) - Lance BerkmanLance BerkmanWilliam Lance Berkman is an American professional baseball outfielder and right fielder with the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball....
(1999-) - Tim ByrdakTim ByrdakTimothy Christopher Byrdak is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the New York Mets. His previous major league experience came from to , when Byrdak played for the Kansas City Royals, an injury-plagued stint with the Baltimore Orioles, and one year with the Detroit Tigers.After playing for...
(1998-) - Frank CarswellFrank CarswellFrank Willis Carswell was an American third baseman, first baseman, outfielder, manager and scout in professional baseball...
(1953) - Norm CharltonNorm CharltonNorman Wood Charlton III , nicknamed "The Sheriff", is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds , Seattle Mariners , Philadelphia Phillies , Baltimore Orioles , Atlanta Braves , and Tampa Bay Devil Rays .Charlton holds three degrees from Rice University.The left-handed...
(1988–2001) - Bubba CrosbyBubba CrosbyRichard Stephen "Bubba" Crosby is a former Major League Baseball outfielder who played with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees...
(2003–2006) - José Cruz, Jr.José Cruz, Jr.José Luis Cruz, Jr. is a retired Major League Baseball outfielder. Over his nine year playing career, Cruz played for eight different teams. Standing 6'0" tall and weighing 210 pounds, Cruz was a right-handed switch hitter...
(1997–2008) - Eddie DyerEddie DyerEdwin Hawley Dyer was an American left-handed pitcher, manager and farm system official in Major League Baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1922–44 and 1946–50...
(1922–1927) - Josh GeerJosh GeerJoshua Brent Geer is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher who is currently playing in the San Diego Padres organization.-High school:...
(2008-) - Marcus GwynMarcus GwynMarcus Edwin Gwyn is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher that now works at Dell.After being drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft, Gwyn made his major league debut on July 29, , for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim...
(2007) - Dave Hilton (1972–1975)
- Philip HumberPhilip HumberPhilip Gregory Humber is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Chicago White Sox.-Early life:Humber attended Carthage High School in Carthage, Texas...
(2006-) - Paul JanishPaul JanishPaul Ryan Janish is a Major League Baseball shortstop for the Cincinnati Reds.-High school and college:...
(2008-) - Kevin JosephKevin JosephKevin Joseph is a former pitcher who last played professional baseball in 2003. Joseph attended Rice University, which has had many alumni become Major Leaguers....
(2002) - Mike MachaMike MachaMichael William Macha is a former Major League Baseball player. Macha attended Rice University, which has had many other well-known alumni....
(1979–1980) - Jeff NiemannJeff NiemannJeffrey Warren Niemann is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays.-College:...
(2007-) - Dave PavlasDave PavlasDavid Lee Pavlas is a former baseball pitcher who was born in Frankfurt, West Germany. He attended Rice University.Pavlas was a 6'7", 180 pound pitcher. He was signed by the Chicago Cubs as an amateur free agent in 1984. A right-handed pitcher, he did exceptionally well in his first professional...
(1990–1996) - Lance PendletonLance PendletonLance Michael Pendleton is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Houston Astros organization.-Early life:...
(2011-) - Mark QuinnMark QuinnMark David Quinn is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and right-handed batter who played for the Kansas City Royals. Quinn was drafted in the 11th round of the 1995 Amateur Draft after playing two seasons for the Rice University Owls. He played for the Royals between 1999-2002...
(1999–2002) - Allan RamirezAllan RamirezDaniel Allan Ramirez was born May 1, 1957 in Victoria, Texas. He attended Rice University and was a Major League Baseball pitcher who threw and hit right-handed....
(1983) - Mario RamosMario RamosMario Martin Ramos is a former Major League Baseball pitcher.Ramos was born in Aurora, Illinois. He went to Pflugerville High School in Pflugerville, Texas, where he also resides today. He was a 5'11", 180-pound pitcher. Before being drafted, Ramos attended Rice University.In 1996, the Kansas City...
(2003) - Craig StansberryCraig StansberryCraig Leo Stansberry is a Major League Baseball third baseman who is currently in the San Diego Padres organization. As of the end of the 2009 season, he is the only player in Major League Baseball history to have been born in Saudi Arabia.Although he was born in Saudi Arabia, Stansberry only...
(2007-) - Matt WilliamsMatt Williams (right-handed pitcher)Matthew Evan Williams is a former professional baseball pitcher. He pitched parts of two seasons in Major League Baseball: 1983 for the Toronto Blue Jays and 1985 for the Texas Rangers....
(1983–1985) - Joe Wood (1943)
List of Rice Owls First-Round Draft Choices
- 1967 - Ronald Henson
- 1979 - Mike MachaMike MachaMichael William Macha is a former Major League Baseball player. Macha attended Rice University, which has had many other well-known alumni....
- 1981 - Matt WilliamsMatt Williams (right-handed pitcher)Matthew Evan Williams is a former professional baseball pitcher. He pitched parts of two seasons in Major League Baseball: 1983 for the Toronto Blue Jays and 1985 for the Texas Rangers....
(5th overall) - 1984 - Norm CharltonNorm CharltonNorman Wood Charlton III , nicknamed "The Sheriff", is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds , Seattle Mariners , Philadelphia Phillies , Baltimore Orioles , Atlanta Braves , and Tampa Bay Devil Rays .Charlton holds three degrees from Rice University.The left-handed...
(28th overall) - 1995 - Jose Cruz, Jr.José Cruz, Jr.José Luis Cruz, Jr. is a retired Major League Baseball outfielder. Over his nine year playing career, Cruz played for eight different teams. Standing 6'0" tall and weighing 210 pounds, Cruz was a right-handed switch hitter...
(3rd overall) - 1997 - Matt AndersonMatt AndersonMatthew Jason Anderson is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently a free agent.-Early life and college career:...
(1st overall), Lance BerkmanLance BerkmanWilliam Lance Berkman is an American professional baseball outfielder and right fielder with the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball....
(16th overall) - 1998 - Bubba CrosbyBubba CrosbyRichard Stephen "Bubba" Crosby is a former Major League Baseball outfielder who played with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees...
(22nd overall) - 1999 - Danny Driver (27th overall)
- 2001 - Kenny Baugh (11th overall), Jon Skaggs (42nd overall)
- 2003 - David AardsmaDavid AardsmaDavid Allan Aardsma is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball. He is the first player alphabetically in the list of all-time Major League Baseball players, having displaced Hank Aaron upon his MLB debut....
(22nd overall) - 2004 - Philip HumberPhilip HumberPhilip Gregory Humber is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Chicago White Sox.-Early life:Humber attended Carthage High School in Carthage, Texas...
(3rd overall), Jeff Niemann (4th overall) - 2005 - Wade TownsendWade TownsendWade Daniel Townsend is a Minor League Baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He was the Tampa Bay Rays' first-round draft pick out of Rice University in 2005, signing for a $1.5 million bonus...
(8th overall) - 2007 - Joe SaveryJoe SaveryJoseph Cain Savery is a pitcher for Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball.-Amateur career:A 2004 graduate of Lamar High School, Savery was a 4 year starter and letterman for the Lamar Redskins under Jorge Garza. During his tenure at Lamar, he earned first team all-state and first team...
(19th overall) - 2008 - Bryan Price (45th overall)
- 2011 - Anthony RendonAnthony RendonAnthony Michael Rendon is an American college baseball infielder for the Rice University Owls. Rendon, the 2010 Dick Howser Trophy winner was selected sixth overall in the 2011 Major League Baseball Draft by the Washington Nationals....
(6th Overall)
See also
- Rice OwlsRice OwlsThe Rice University athletic teams are known as the Rice Owls. The name comes from the owls in Rice's crest.Rice participates in NCAA Division I athletics and is part of Conference USA. Rice was a member of the Southwest Conference until its breakup in 1996. Rice then joined the Western Athletic...
- Conference USAConference USAConference USA, officially abbreviated C-USA, is a college athletic conference whose member institutions are located within the Southern United States. The conference participates in the NCAA's Division I in all sports...
- Conference USA Baseball TournamentConference USA Baseball TournamentThe Conference USA Baseball Tournament is the conference championship tournament in baseball for Conference USA . The tournament previously consisted of eight teams, with two double-elimination brackets, and a single-game final...
External links
- Rice Owls Baseball official homepage