The Dirtbags

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The Dirtbags is the unofficial nickname for the California State University, Long Beach baseball team.

1 Name origin
2 Alumni comments
3 References
4 External links

[edit] Name origin

This nickname of refers to the program’s style of play and success against higher profile programs. The moniker was first coined for head coach Dave Snow’s first team in 1989 which was comprised of nearly all new players. The team had no actual home field, splitting the home schedule among Long Beach City College, Cerritos College, and Blair Field. That team won its first 18 games and advanced to the 49ers' first College World Series appearance. Dave Malpass, who was the infield coach, would take his infielders to the all-dirt field, used mostly for a local Pony League program, for their rigorous workout. The infielders would return to the regular practice field after their sessions covered in dirt. Thus the name “Dirtbags” was born. The name resurfaced again in 1993 when the 49ers, who had started 12-12, rallied to win 34 of their next 41 games and finish three outs short of the national championship game. The “Dirtbags” then returned to the CWS in 1998.

[edit] Alumni comments

The following content is adapted from a website devoted to the team (see below):

"Being a Dirtbag is more about the attitude that you play with. You are required to give 110% all of the time." -- Jeremy Ward, former minor-league pitcher

“Being a Dirtbag means giving 100 percent in everything you do...going all-out on every play, and always putting the team before yourself.” -- Bobby Crosby, former American League Rookie of the Year with the Oakland Athletics

“It’s a badge of honor. It means you play hard all the time. I’ve always considered myself to be a Dirtbag.” -- Steve Trachsel, veteran MLB pitcher

“A Dirtbag is a style of playing the game of baseball. It is the type of player every team needs… Loves to play the game everyday… He maybe does not have all the skills of the greatest player, but his attitude and the way he commits himself to the game is what makes this Dirtbag great. Dealing with adversity is what completes being a Dirtbag. A team player at all times (hardnosed).” -- Mike Gallo, who has pitched for the Houston Astros

"Being a Dirtbag means you bring all you have to the table in every single game. It doesn't matter the conditions or who you're playing or where you're playing. You have to get down and get dirty and do what you have to do to win. It means giving up an at-bat to move the runner over, to hit the sac fly, giving it all until the moment you walk off the field." -- Adam Heether, former Milwaukee Brewers draft pick

"To me the Dirtbags means a great time in my life. I enjoyed the camaraderie and excitement I had being part of the Dirtbags. I still go back for the alumni games and enjoy seeing my old friends. I guess you could say that you would have to experience it personally to really know what it means." -- Rocky Biddle, former MLB reliever

“We’re just a team that scrapes and gets the little things done to win. That’s what we are--Dirtbags. People that don’t understand that yet, don’t hafve a clue to what’s behind us.” -- Chuck Lopez, holder of the school record for most hits in a season

“Being a Dirtbag is great, it’s a great group of guys. We’re just players who like to get dirty and play hard. We’ll always battle every inning, every at bat – it’s just a hard-nosed way to play ball,” -- Jeremy Reed, Seattle Mariners

“A Dirtbag doesn’t have the greatest ability--on a scale from 1 to 10, you’re always a 5, but you always play hard and don’t care how pretty you look. You just get after it.” -- Brian Whatley, starting catcher for 1993 CWS team

“It was a tremendous honor to be a Dirtbag. Being a Dirtbag means you’re a never-say-die player who puts it all on the line all the time.’’ -- Terrmel Sledge, former major leaguer