The amount of success FSU has achieved in several different sports is mind-blowing, considering it was an all-women’s college for years before allowing men to enroll in the late 40’s. FSU can attribute its national recognition as a brand to its football program once Bobby Bowden took over and turned it into a national powerhouse.
Ironically, another iconic head coach was hired at FSU shortly after Bowden, Mike Martin Sr. Mike Martin came aboard as an assistant coach before becoming the head coach in 1980. Martin went on to become the winningest college baseball coach of all time. He achieved 2,029 wins, which is 65 percent of all the FSU baseball wins since the program started in 1948.
Where does FSU baseball rank in all-time wins? Baseball America compiled a list of the top program in wins. FSU is fifth and well within striking distance of the No. 3 spot, the way Link Jarrett has things rolling in Tallahassee the past two seasons.
- Fordham-4,630 wins all-time in 165 seasons
- Texas-3,745 wins all-time in 129 seasons
- Stanford-3,135 wins all-time in 132 seasons
- Michigan-3,124 wins all-time in 152 seasons
- Florida State-3,115 wins all-time in 78 seasons
Think about it. FSU is the only baseball program among the top 16 of all-time with fewer than 100 seasons. I know some folks will bring up the elephant in the room about never winning a national title. That’s something that will hang over the program until it happens, and I believe it will under Link Jarrett’s leadership. However, the amount of success sustained in such a short amount of time can’t be overlooked. That’s an incredible stat, and Forham hasn’t been great the past few seasons. It’s possible that FSU will eventually overtake the Rams for the overall spot.