Ryan McGee
LSU Tigers: The Pinnacle of College Baseball
Omaha, Nebraska — On a sweltering Sunday afternoon, which felt more like Baton Rouge North than Nebraska, the LSU Tigers achieved something far beyond another Men’s College World Series title. With this victory, they cemented their legacy as the greatest program in college baseball history.
The Unquestionable Legacy of LSU
“I don’t think there’s anyone here that’s going to argue with you on that,” proclaimed designated hitter Ethan Frey, basking in the revelry of 24,734 jubilant fans singing along to Garth Brooks’ “Callin’ Baton Rouge.” “When we show up at work, we do it to make the Tigers who came before us proud. Hopefully, we’ve succeeded. They built this program; we’re just building on their legacy.”
The hallowed halls of Alex Box Stadium are adorned with trophies and memorabilia, each piece a testament to LSU’s dominance in baseball. At Charles Schwab Field, the sight of LSU photos and logos outnumbering hot dog stands perfectly captures the essence of this winter wonderland of baseball.
A Community United
Former LSU coach Skip Bertman, now in a wheelchair, reflected on the connection between the team and the city. “When we come here, we bring countless fans from home. But there are also so many locals who wear our colors because they grew up watching us during summer seasons. That’s special,” he shared, confetti still scattering over his shoulders.
Records That Speak Volumes
While LSU may not yet hold the record for the most national championship rings—still belonging to USC—the Trojans haven’t won a title this century. Their last victory was a mere shadow of their glory days in 1998. In stark contrast, LSU’s achievements since 1991 are remarkable. Led by coach Rod Dedeaux, USC won seven championships within an 11-year span from 1968 to 1978. LSU, however, claimed five titles in just ten years between 1991 and 2000 and now boasts two in three seasons under coach Jay Johnson.
In terms of overall wins in the Men’s College World Series, Texas holds the record with 88, while LSU ranks fifth with 47. However, today’s Texas program can hardly compete with the consistent greatness displayed by the Tigers.
Building a Unmatched Legacy
Despite not holding longevity records like total wins or appearances—ranking fifth with 20—all of LSU’s monumental achievements have occurred in just 40 years. Considering the dramatic transformations throughout collegiate athletics, particularly in baseball, this makes LSU’s accomplishments even more impressive.
In addition to their stellar record, the Tigers have captured 12 regular-season and tournament titles in the fiercely competitive SEC, a conference that LSU helped shape. Impressively, LSU has succeeded under four different coaches, three of whom have claimed national championships.
Adaptability: The Key to Success
“Adaptability is underrated for long-term success,” noted Ben McDonald, the program’s first true superstar. The right-handed pitcher was pivotal in guiding LSU to earlier Omaha appearances and was a first-round draft pick for the Baltimore Orioles. “Jay Johnson is an ideal example of someone who understands how the game evolves and how to connect with today’s players.”
Challenges Along the Way
Resistance has faced LSU, especially after Bertman transitioned to athletic director in 2001. His handpicked successor, Smoke Laval, returned the team to Omaha but never secured a championship. The torch was later passed to Paul Mainieri, who brought LSU back to glory with a championship win in 2009.
Today, Johnson faces roster transitions and challenges like never before, highlighted by the loss of 13 players to professional baseball last year—a record for SEC teams. Initially, the 2025 season saw LSU struggle, going 19-11 in conference play. But everything fell into place when it mattered most. The Tigers triumphed in the tournament, culminating in a decisive victory against a formidable Coastal Carolina team.
A Historic Victory
“They had to make us sweat a little bit, didn’t they?” Bertman chuckled, reflecting on LSU’s journey. “But in the end, they’ve truly added to our legacy and it feels like Jay has positioned us to continue this success for years to come.”
In the grand tapestry of college baseball, the LSU Tigers now wear a crown that feels undeniably secure. With each championship, they add another layer of brilliance to their storied history, forever known as the kings of college baseball.
