The year of the Dirtbag

While no-hitters, perfect games and dominant pitching performances have led many baseball analysts to hail the 2010 MLB season ‘The year of the pitcher’ just as strong of an argument could be made that we are currently in ‘The year of the Dirtbag.’

Four Dirtbags made their MLB debut this year: pitcher Bob Cramer with the Oakland Athletics, catcher Brad Davis with the Florida Marlins, slugging infielder Danny Espinosa with the Washington Nationals and pitcher Vance Worley with the first place Philadelphia Phillies. These four additions bring the total number of Long Beach State baseball players to make the bigs at 38.



The newest Dirtbags to reach the MLB



But it hasn’t been just new coming Dirtbags to make an impact on this MLB season. Both Evan Longoria and Troy Tulowitzski were named starters in the All-Star game, and are pushing their respective teams toward the playoffs with Longoria’s Rays deadlocked with the New York Yankees for the AL East crown, and Tulo’s Rockies making their annual September push in the NL West.

Anaheim Angels’ starting pitcher Jered Weaver (also an All-Star) is having one of his best seasons, already posting a career high in strikeouts and his second lowest ERA since entering the league. Dirtbag alum and former American League MVP Jason Giambi has served as a veteran presence in Colorado’s clubhouse, while still providing clutch hits and walk off home runs.

With 13 players currently in the big leagues, Long Beach State has more professional alumni than any other school in the nation.