Stanford grabs College World Series

Saved and spurred by a dramatic comeback two days earlier, Stanford upended Oklahoma State 95 in Omaha, Neb., on June 7, 1987, to grab its first College World Series title. The Cowboys had beaten the Cardinal earlier in the CWS, but Stanford prevailed in the championship game. Senior shortstop David Esquer, now the Cardinal’s head coach, drove in two runs, as did freshman outfielder Paul Carey. Righthander Jack McDowell, who would win the 1993 AL Cy Young Award, worked seven innings for the victory. Steve Chitren, who would spend two seasons (199091) in the A’s bullpen, got the final six outs for the save.

“Winning the national championship was an experience no one on our team will ever forget,” head coach Mark Marquess said in a story on the Cardinal’s website. “To realize the dream of being champions is a very special feeling. It’s something that stays with you forever.”

Marquess was a first baseman on the 1967 Stanford team that finished third in the CWS. Twenty years later, it appeared Stanford again would be heading home without a title as it trailed LSU 52 in the 10th inning before Carey produced perhaps the most significant hit in school history: an oppositefield grand slam off Ben McDonald to give the Cardinal a 65 stunner.

Stanford then dispatched Texas 93 before handling Oklahoma State. The Cardinal finished 5317. Other prominent players on the team included third baseman Ed Sprague, outfielder Ruben Amaro Jr. and outfielder Toi Cook.

Stanford Athletics 1987 Stanford players celebrate winning the 1987 College World Series. They also won it in 1988.