Palmetto Proving Grounds

Been relevant in baseball longer than 3 years. RGIII put football on the map. They have a GREAT bball coach.

Baseball has rich history:

However, Baylor appeared in its first NCAA Tournament in 1948 only in its 3rd year of play after the war. Baylor returned to the NCAA tournament in 1977, led by legendary Baylor head coach Mickey Sullivan, and advanced to the College World Series for Baylor's first appearance in Omaha. Baylor lost both of its games in the 1977 College World Series, one game each to South Carolina and Minnesota. Baylor concluded the 1977 season ranked #7 nationally by Collegiate Baseball. In 1978, the Bears returned to the College World Series but lost its only 2 games again, one game each to Michigan and Miami, Fl. Baylor finished the 1978 season ranked #8 nationally by Collegiate Baseball.

Baylor has achieved a season 50-win mark in only one season in its history. This season win total was earned in 1999 under the guidance of current head coach Steve Smith, ending the season with a W-L record of 50-15. While exiting the national tournament during the Super Regional stage, the Bears ended the season ranked #8 nationally by Baseball America. It was during this 1999 season that Jason Jennings won National Player of the Year. As a pitcher and designated hitter for the Bears in 1999, Jason also won the Golden Spikes Award, Dick Howser Award, Rotary Smith Award, consensus Big 12 Player of the Year and was voted a unanimous All-American. Kelly Shoppach would also earn the unanimous All-American honor as a Baylor catcher in 2001 and consensus Big 12 Player of the Year.

Baylor's 2005 squad would become the first to win a game in Omaha. The Bears went 2-2 including wins over Oregon State and #1 ranked Tulane (a dramatic come from behind win, 7-6), but was eliminated from the tournament after its second loss to the Texas Longhorns, losing 3-4 in Baylor's final game. Baylor lost 1-5 to the Texas Longhorns in its first CWS game in 2005. Baylor finished the 2005 season ranked #4 nationally by Baseball America.

In 2012, Baylor went 42-12 and was undefeated at home during conference play in the regular season. The Bears racked up a mid-season 24-game win streak (including an 18-0 start to conference play) which the players attributed to their adoption of a beaver that appeared along the banks of the Brazos River.[1] "Feeding the Beaver" - referring to a player hitting a home-run onto the Brazos riverbank - became a year-long team slogan as the Bears earned the #4 national seed and were selected as regional hosts in the 2012 NCAA Baseball Championship tournament.[2] In the Waco Regional, Baylor lost their first game and then won four straight games to stave off elimination and and advance to host Arkansas in the Super Regional. Big XII conference awards were won by Josh Ludy (Player of the Year) and Nathan Orf (Newcomer of the Year), Steve Smith was named Coach of the Year, and 11 Baylor players were named to All-Big XII teams.[3]

Baylor has reached postseason play 18 times, including 13 of the last 15 seasons (1998-2012). Baylor's most played opponent is the University of Texas, including 334 matchups through the 2011 season. The most wins that Baylor has over any other single opponent is 136 all-time wins over the TCU Horned Frogs.

Among other games in recent history, Baylor has been involved in 3 particularly memorable games. "The Comeback" game occurred on May 26, 2001 against the Rice Owls in Houston, TX. Trailing 0-9 in the top of the 8th inning, Baylor scored 11 runs in the final 2 innings to win the game 11-10. Leading 11-9, Baylor pitching only allowed 1 run on 3 hits in the bottom of the ninth to secure the win. Former Bears and current major leaguers David Murphy and Kelly Shopach both played in this game for Baylor. "The Marathon" game was played on February 21, 1999 in Houston, TX against the Houston Cougars. This game is notable simply for its duration. Lasting 6 hours and 43 minutes, Baylor was finally victorious 8-2 after 22 innings of play. The game saw 87 plate appearances by Baylor. The game included a total of 28 different batters collecting 25 total hits, 13 different pitchers and 2 ejected coaches. The "Miracle on 13th Street" game was played in Omaha, NE at Rosenblatt Stadium on June 21, 2005 against #1 Tulane. Trailing Tulane 0-7 in the bottom of the 7th inning, the Bears scored 8 runs in the final 3 innings to beat the Green Wave 8-7 in the nationally televised game on ESPN. The comeback was completed with a ninth-inning game winning play including a wild throw by a Tulane infielder to first base allowing the Bears on 2nd and 3rd bases to score.

Baylor does not = SMU, Baylor = Northwestern of TX...think about it.

Lots of money for sure... Also of interest... they have an off campus football stadium.

I am headed to Waco on Tuesday to meet with their equestrian coach... they have the largest team in the NCAA with about 90 members. I visit College Station on Monday.. Looking forward to getting a peak at Kyle Field.

I'd suggest reading the entire article again.

Scott Drew is cheating for sure. Just wait. It will all come out.

RGIII's departure should probably take them off the map again in football, although the lack of defense in the Big 12, they may still make some noise, at least in conference play.

"It ain't cheating unless you get caught." Signed Bobby Petrino, Danny Ford, Dabo Swinney, Phillip Fulmer... lol

I read it again, and can't for the life of me come to the same conclusion that you have. They have some baseball history, but it's not "great". Nothing in that article suggests greatness. Championships equal greatness. By your standards for "great", I guess we could conclude that South Carolina has "great" basketball history.

The article you provided looks like Baylor would be comparable in baseball to Miss. State or Arkansas. Baylor baseball would not even be an all time top 25 program.

The bottom line, is that Baylor's entire athletics programs have exploded out of relative obscurity. When the Big 12 was formed, Baylor was not even wanted. The were a package deal with Texas due to the then gov. Ann Richards.

Don't mess with good ole Southern Baptist!