World Series winning teams inducted into Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame
January 29, 2019
The 1997 and 1998 back-to-back JUCO World Series winning Cowley College baseball teams were back in the spotlight when they were inducted into the Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame on Saturday, January 26 in Wichita, KS.
The 1997 and 1998 Tiger baseball teams join only the 1907 Wichita Jobbers, 1954-55 Boeing Bombers, and 1962, 63, and 65 Wichita Rapid Transit Dreamliners as baseball teams in the Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame.
Legendary Tiger baseball coachDave Burroughs, who was inducted into the Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame in 2013, was humbled to see his 1997 and 1998 teams become the first college teams in the state to be inducted into the Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame.
"It was a thrill to go in as a group," Burroughs said. "I appreciate all the guys that came back. It is always good to see those guys, especially in these circumstances."
The 1997 Tiger baseball team went 33-3 in the Jayhawk Conference Eastern Division and 53-11 overall as they captured the program's first-ever World Series title. The team was inducted into the Tiger Athletic Hall of Fame in 2017.
The 1998 Tiger baseball team started 4-6 before winning 50 of their next 53 games. They defeated San Jacinto 15-11 in the title game to repeat as World Series champs.
Darren Burroughsand Scott Hennessey were assistant coaches on the 1997 and 1998 Tiger baseball teams.
Several players from the 1997 and 1998 teams went on to continue their careers playing baseball at NCAA Division I schools, while Travis Hafner and Travis Hughes each went on to play in the major leagues.
More than 20 former Tiger baseball players and coaches returned for the Hall of Fame ceremonies.
"It was a great day," Burroughs said. "We enjoyed it immensely."
The 1997 and 1998 Tiger baseball teams were joined by former Wichita State University major leaguers Koyie Hill and Mike Pelfrey, along with former Kansas State University coaches Dave Baker and Brad Hill, as this year's inductees. Also inducted were former Hutchinson Community College and major league pitcher Craig Dingman and the late Elmer Stricklett, who played minor league ball in Topeka, Salina and Atchison before going on to win 35 games in the major leagues.
The Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame is located inside the Wichita Sports Hall of Fame at 4700 East Central in Wichita, KS.
The 1997 and 1998 Tiger baseball teams join only the 1907 Wichita Jobbers, 1954-55 Boeing Bombers, and 1962, 63, and 65 Wichita Rapid Transit Dreamliners as baseball teams in the Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame.
Legendary Tiger baseball coachDave Burroughs, who was inducted into the Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame in 2013, was humbled to see his 1997 and 1998 teams become the first college teams in the state to be inducted into the Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame.
"It was a thrill to go in as a group," Burroughs said. "I appreciate all the guys that came back. It is always good to see those guys, especially in these circumstances."
The 1997 Tiger baseball team went 33-3 in the Jayhawk Conference Eastern Division and 53-11 overall as they captured the program's first-ever World Series title. The team was inducted into the Tiger Athletic Hall of Fame in 2017.
The 1998 Tiger baseball team started 4-6 before winning 50 of their next 53 games. They defeated San Jacinto 15-11 in the title game to repeat as World Series champs.
Darren Burroughsand Scott Hennessey were assistant coaches on the 1997 and 1998 Tiger baseball teams.
Several players from the 1997 and 1998 teams went on to continue their careers playing baseball at NCAA Division I schools, while Travis Hafner and Travis Hughes each went on to play in the major leagues.
More than 20 former Tiger baseball players and coaches returned for the Hall of Fame ceremonies.
"It was a great day," Burroughs said. "We enjoyed it immensely."
The 1997 and 1998 Tiger baseball teams were joined by former Wichita State University major leaguers Koyie Hill and Mike Pelfrey, along with former Kansas State University coaches Dave Baker and Brad Hill, as this year's inductees. Also inducted were former Hutchinson Community College and major league pitcher Craig Dingman and the late Elmer Stricklett, who played minor league ball in Topeka, Salina and Atchison before going on to win 35 games in the major leagues.
The Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame is located inside the Wichita Sports Hall of Fame at 4700 East Central in Wichita, KS.