Vols’ run at ‘unbreakable’ HR mark impresses Bertman, whose teams were faces of 1990s ‘gorilla ball’
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Until he saw messages flying back and forth on the 1990s-era LSU players’ group text thread late this season, Skip Bertman didn’t realize the Tennessee team of 2024 was making a serious run at the Holy Grail of the college baseball record book.
Bertman’s 1997 Tigers slugged 188 home runs in 70 games on their way to the second of two straight national championships and were the inspiration for the phrase “gorilla ball,” the descriptor for the style of offense in an era when bats were juiced and balls flew out of ballparks at unprecedented rates.
No team had come close to approaching 188 until this year’s Volunteers, who have 178 in 70 games heading into Game 1 of the best-of-three College World Series finals against Texas A&M on Saturday.
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Until he saw messages flying back and forth on the 1990s-era LSU players’ group text thread Skip Bertman was unaware until late in the season that the Tennessee team of 2024 was posing a serious threat to the college baseball record book’s Holy Grail.
In addition to winning the second of two consecutive national titles, Bertman’s 1997 Tigers hit 188 home runs in 70 games, which served as the impetus for the term “gorilla ball,” which described the offensive approach during a time when balls were hitting record-breaking velocities and bats were being juiced.
Before this year’s Volunteers, who have 178 in 70 games going into Game 1 of the best-of-three College World Series finals against Texas A&M on Saturday, no team had come close to reaching 188.
