Feb. 1, 2012

A Stacked Lineup

By Sean Ryan

CollegeBaseballInsider.com Co-Founder

sean@collegebaseballinsider.com @collbaseball

Georgia Tech coach Danny Hall has coached a who’s who of players who have starred in college and gone on to play in the major leagues. When asked to limit his thoughts to a few sentences, here’s what Hall had to say about some of his former players.

Barry Larkin (Michigan) – Great, great athlete. There wasn’t anything he couldn’t do on the baseball field. As good of an athlete and baseball player he was, he is a better person.

Hal Morris (Michigan) – Total overachiever, tremendous worker. He made himself a great baseball player.

Chris Sabo (Michigan) – One of the funniest, wildest, craziest guys I’ve ever coached, but one of the toughest competitors ever.

Scott Kamieniecki (Michigan) – Big Red (laughs). He had that temper like a red head, but real good competitor and had great stuff.

Jim Abbott (Michigan) – A scouting director asked me how good do you think he would be with two hands. I said, maybe not as good because maybe he wouldn’t have worked so hard to prove everyone so wrong. Unbelievable with one hand. I’m just so blessed to be around that guy for three years at Michigan.

Dustin Hermanson (Kent State) – Great story on a guy that was 87-88 and ended up throwing 94-95. Tremendous competitor, great stuff. Filthy stuff

Nomar Garciaparra (Georgia Tech) – A lot like Larkin, one of the best baseball players I’ve ever had the pleasure of coaching. Bright smart, energetic, he brought a lot to the table every day.

Jason Varitek (Georgia Tech) – The hardest worker that I’ve ever had the pleasure of coaching. And one of the best leaders that I’ve ever had a chance to coach.

Jay Payton (Georgia Tech) – Great baseball player, tremendous instinct as a baseball player. Had he not gotten hurt in pro ball, his career would have been so much different… I think he’s one of those guys who would have a chance to be a Hall of Famer if he didn’t get hurt.

Brad Rigby (Georgia Tech) – One of the best pitchers I’ve ever coached. Absolutely the best breaking ball I’ve ever seen.

Mark Teixeira (Georgia Tech) – I would say Mark was one of the best hitters that I’ve ever coached and absolutely had the most power of anyone I’ve ever coached. And one of the most caring people I’ve ever had the privilege of coaching.

Matt Murton (Georgia Tech) – One of the best hitters I’ve ever coached. He’s having a great career in Japan [broke Ichiro’s single-season hit record]. He’s one of those that I’m just puzzled no one’s given him the chance to be an everyday player in the Major Leagues. One of the most Christian guys I’ve ever coached.

Matt Wieters (Georgia Tech) – They called him “God,” that was his nickname here; he could do everything but he couldn’t run; A great baseball player, total team guy. As good a player as he was, he always put the team ahead of himself.

(photos courtesy of Georgia Tech Media Relations Office)