This weekend South Alabama Baseball will retire the #3 jersey to honor former coach Steve Kittrell. Kittrell joins Eddie Stanky and Luis Gonzalez to have their numbers retired at USA. Kittrell was 1052-644-1 in 28 years and led the Jags to 18 NCAA Tournament appearances.

(05-02-2016 02:31 PM)SkullyMaroo Wrote:  This weekend South Alabama Baseball will retire the #3 jersey to honor former coach Steve Kittrell. Kittrell joins Eddie Stanky and Luis Gonzalez to have their numbers retired at USA. Kittrell was 1052-644-1 in 28 years and led the Jags to 18 NCAA Tournament appearances.

Right on - the man deserves it. He put on a clinic on how a classy coach should retire in addition to his obvious, many other accomplishments.

Wow, what a resume!


...Also, "do it for Dale".

I believe he also still holds the batting average record for a 4 year starter at USA.

Glad to hear someone knew when it was time to retire and not hang on longer than they should be coaching. Someone needs to follow that example.

TXST has only retired one number and that was last year - Paul Goldschmidt. No coaches have earned that honor.

The Cajuns and Jags have had some donnybrooks in the past with plenty of high tension games, but I remember him being touched by the Cajun coaching staff presenting him with a fishing rod on his last visit to the Tigue. As a fan you can not like another team, coach, or player as that's what a fan is supposed to do, but still respect them for what they do and how they go about it. You appreciate good battles, and during Coach Kittrell's time as the Jags coach we sure had some good battles.

(05-02-2016 05:28 PM)CajunAmos Wrote:  The Cajuns and Jags have had some donnybrooks in the past with plenty of high tension games, but I remember him being touched by the Cajun coaching staff presenting him with a fishing rod on his last visit to the Tigue. As a fan you can not like another team, coach, or player as that's what a fan is supposed to do, but still respect them for what they do and how they go about it. You appreciate good battles, and during Coach Kittrell's time as the Jags coach we sure had some good battles.

I didn't know that. I like it. Coach Kittrell and Robe are class acts and they have definitely had some battles. But that is what makes it fun.

Very cool.

On a side note, Luis Gonzalez is one of my favorite players ever. I used to watch him with the Columbus Mudcats when I was a kid, and he's probably the absolute nicest player I've ever interacted with. I still hate that he played during the steroid era so he'll always have those questions surrounding his accomplishments.

(05-03-2016 09:34 AM)Pounce FTW Wrote:  Very cool.

On a side note, Luis Gonzalez is one of my favorite players ever. I used to watch him with the Columbus Mudcats when I was a kid, and he's probably the absolute nicest player I've ever interacted with. I still hate that he played during the steroid era so he'll always have those questions surrounding his accomplishments.

He will be at the ceremony on Saturday, as well as a few other former players. Our hitting facility is actually named after him.

(05-03-2016 09:39 AM)USAJag2011 Wrote:  

(05-03-2016 09:34 AM)Pounce FTW Wrote:  Very cool.

On a side note, Luis Gonzalez is one of my favorite players ever. I used to watch him with the Columbus Mudcats when I was a kid, and he's probably the absolute nicest player I've ever interacted with. I still hate that he played during the steroid era so he'll always have those questions surrounding his accomplishments.

He will be at the ceremony on Saturday, as well as a few other former players. Our hitting facility is actually named after him.

I was cleaning my shed the other day and found a Luis Gonzalez signed baseball that I do not remember owning. I'm not one of those that gets people to sign things, and I can't recall how I acquired it. Maybe they handed some out when they retired his jersey?

(05-03-2016 09:45 AM)SkullyMaroo Wrote:  

(05-03-2016 09:39 AM)USAJag2011 Wrote:  

(05-03-2016 09:34 AM)Pounce FTW Wrote:  Very cool.

On a side note, Luis Gonzalez is one of my favorite players ever. I used to watch him with the Columbus Mudcats when I was a kid, and he's probably the absolute nicest player I've ever interacted with. I still hate that he played during the steroid era so he'll always have those questions surrounding his accomplishments.

He will be at the ceremony on Saturday, as well as a few other former players. Our hitting facility is actually named after him.

I was cleaning my shed the other day and found a Luis Gonzalez signed baseball that I do not remember owning. I'm not one of those that gets people to sign things, and I can't recall how I acquired it. Maybe they handed some out when they retired his jersey?

He's such a nice guy, he probably put it there to surprise you.

For those who don't know the Cajuns-Jags history, here's an article by Jay Walker from 2011 that will give you some history. Thanks BOP.

The Cajuns/Jags rivalry: How it began

And another one from 2012;

They're Still the Jaguars

(05-03-2016 10:13 AM)CajunAmos Wrote:  For those who don't know the Cajuns-Jags history, here's an article by Jay Walker from 2011 that will give you some history. Thanks BOP.

The Cajuns/Jags rivalry: How it began

And another one from 2012;

They're Still the Jaguars

Good stuff. Thanks for posting.

I wish they were waiting until next weekend to do this when the Cajuns are in town. I would love to be there for the ceremony.

It's so ironic the Cajuns and Jaguars have the incredible baseball rivalry they have. And yet, the Cajuns were the only ones to truly honor Coach Kittrell during his final season.

I have a tremendous respect for that man. South Alabama, I know, is honored to have #3 hanging on the wall at Eddie Stanky.

We'll be doing the same with #36 one day.