Baseball Alums Return for Homecoming Weekend

by: Greg Campbell, Assistant Director/Communications

STARKVILLE - With under three months until the 2020 season kicks off for the Mississippi State baseball program, the Triple Crown Club inside Dudy Noble Field at Polk-Dement Stadium was buzzing with excitement during Homecoming weekend.

While the anticipation builds for the current edition of the Diamond Dawgs, the excitement in the room was thanks in part to the 71 baseball alumni and the over 190 people who returned to tell stories of seasons past.

The crowd spanned nearly 60 years of MSU baseball and played for seven different coaches – including two stints with the legendary Ron Polk – however, the common theme of their conversation always came back to one ideal: family.

That family is the thing that second-year head coach Chris Lemonis credits with laying the foundation of what he says his current roster and coaching staff reaps the benefits of.

"This facility is a testament to all of the guys who walked before us," said Lemonis. "When we talk about how great this facility is – and it is the best in the country – it is because of the sweat that each one of you poured into this place."

Dudy Noble Field is the crown jewel in the sport and has grown throughout the years from a cow pasture into the current 12-acre complex. The current rendition of The Dude features 12 loft-style apartments, three premium spaces, sky boxes and one of the largest video boards in college baseball.

"All I know, is that we had a reunion a month ago for the 1979 and 1981 teams, which were the teams that set the standard for this program," Polk told the crowd. "Never would I have believed when I took this job in 1975 that in 44 years we would have what is here today. We have a great coaching staff and the best facility in the country…it's everything we need to compete in the Southeastern Conference."

Competing for SEC titles has been what the Diamond Dawgs have done for decades, winning 11 regular season and seven tournament titles since joining the conference as a charter member in 1933. An All-SEC Western Division pick in 1976, Bill Montgomery (1974-76) is proud of how steady the program has been since his time at State.

"This program has been very traditional [through the years]," said Montgomery. "I started in 1972 and the program was strong then under Paul Gregory. Then, to see what Polk was able to turn the program into was outstanding. Now, to see all of the athletes come in here and all of these guys in the big leagues is incredible."

Coming Home
The adage goes, "there is nothing like coming home," and that rang true inside the Triple Crown Club with nearly all of the alumni.

One of the top hitters in Southeastern Conference history, Jeffrey Rae (2004-07) held MSU's all-time hits record for 12 seasons before Jake Mangum eclipsed his mark in 2019. While Rae misses his time on the field, it is the brotherhood in the locker room that he misses the most.

"A lot of these guys we may see every five years, but we always pick up right where we left off," said Rae. "Everyone always asks if I miss playing baseball, and I do, but I really miss the band of brothers that were here with me when I played. You rode the bus together, slept in the same hotel room, ate the same food and chased the same dreams. It was amazing to have 30 brothers right alongside you going through the same things."

Arriving at State with intentions to play football, Gary Willoughby (1975-77) never made it onto the gridiron but did lead the Diamond Dawgs in ERA (2.30; 1977) and innings pitched (98.0; 1976). His favorite thing about getting back to campus is seeing his teammates and how the families have grown.

"These are always fun," said Willoughby. "We used to do them every two years, so you would get to come back and see guys have kids and watch their kids grow up. [After graduation] We scatter across the country, so this is a way for us to stay in touch. Now, we get to meet the younger guys and get to know them – that's why I come back."

The Dude
One of State's 15 Major League Baseball first-round draft picks, Carlton Loewer (1992-94) traveled from his home in Wyoming for the chance to reconnect with teammates and get his first in-person look at the new Dudy Noble Field. And, it didn't disappoint.

"This pace is phenomenal," said Loewer. "I made the statement to my wife when we pulled up that if you were a kid being recruited to play college baseball and you had the opportunity to play at Mississippi State, why would you not play here. These fans are unbelievable, and I cannot imagine what it sounds like when [the stadium] is filled up."

As a college student-athlete, Willoughby got one look at Dudy Noble Field and couldn't pass up the opportunity to wear the M-over-S and play at what he believed was the best playing surface in the country, now he is overly impressed with the amenities inside The Dude.

"At the time, Dudy Noble Field was an unbelievable grass field with nothing around it," said Willoughby. "I came here to play football, but when I saw [Dudy Noble], I said, 'I want to play there.'…When I started here, our locker room was under the football stadium and we had to run to practice. Now, we have sky boxes and an amazing locker room. This is great stadium for our program."

The Memories
Overall, the weekend was about making and talking about memories that each of the alums were able to make during their time at State. For one of the only times, those inside Dudy Noble Field weren't worried about wins or loses, all that mattered was reconnecting with their Bulldog family and the stories of yesteryear.

"I always heard about how [Dudy Noble Field] was different when you hosted an NCAA Regional or Super Regional and my senior year we got to punch out ticket to Omaha here," said Rae. "That is the most memorable moment that I had during my time here."

While Bobby Reed (1988-90) fondly recalls the postseason events the program hosted during his time at State, the Freshman All-American vividly remembers his first start at the venue, which set the tone for his career in the maroon and white.

"I pitched my first game here [February of 1988] and I remember the butterflies while I was running my foul poles before the game," said Reed. "I got on the mound and I was nervous and shaking. When I threw my first strike, the crowd went crazy and I remember thinking, 'they are cheering for me.' It was a really cool moment and I enjoyed pitching in front of those big crowds from that moment on."

Along with his time in professional baseball, Loewer was also able to compete for Team USA, earned All-America honors and was an All-SEC performer during his time at State, but the fans at Dudy Noble Field are what he says makes Starkville such a special place.

"My favorite memory is the left field lounge and the family atmosphere," said Loewer. "Our fans would take you in and were great about being mom and dad, when mom and dad weren't able to be around. That is what I remember as the most special thing about Mississippi State and why I chose to play here."

Through the years, the faces have changed – both in the dugout and on the field – but as Jeffrey Rae summed it up, the most important thing has, and never will, change.

"I do make it back, but not as much as I would like, and each time it just blows my mind how much this place has grown," said Rae. "While a lot has changed, the one thing that has stayed the same is the support the fans and the community give our university, especially Mississippi State baseball."

Mississippi State University Athletics

Baseball Alums Return for Homecoming Weekend

Related News

Players Mentioned

Jake Mangum

Related Videos