Butch Thompson: The Best Since Hal Baird
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Since Butch Thompson has taken over the program, Auburn Baseball has continued to do things that it had not been accustomed to doing. Last year was hosting a Regional in back-to-back years. In fact, Auburn has never hosted in back-to-back years. Butch has built a program that every year has exceeded preseason expectations and has them to a level of consistency not seen since Hal Baird was the coach from 1985-2000. The Tigers are poised to make another run at the College World Series, something that has only been done six times in program history. Coach Baird and Coach Thompson have been at the helm two times each.
It was great to get out in the community this week!
📚 Creekside Elementary
🚘 Dean Road ElementaryCan’t wait to see the Auburn Family at the ballpark in 2️⃣ weeks!#WarEagle pic.twitter.com/flIBf3QjLN
— Auburn Baseball (@AuburnBaseball) February 2, 2024
Butch has really only had one down season since his first year. In his eight seasons as the Head Coach, Auburn has made post season five times. The only misses were his first season 2016, the covid shortened season 2020 (no post season), and 2021 the only true down year for Butch. In 2017 Auburn made Regionals and eliminated in Tallahassee by Florida State. In 2018, Auburn advanced out of the Raleigh Regional and eliminated on a walk-off home run in the Super Regionals by Florida in Gainesville. 2019, the Tigers won the Atlanta Regional, knocking off #3 Georgia Tech. Then they blew past North Carolina in Chapel Hill on their way to the College World Series for the first time since 1997. Auburn went 0-2 in the appearance. The 2022 season brought the Tigers back to prominence with another College Word Series appearance. On their road to Omaha, the Tigers hosted their first Regional since 2010. They were able to win for the first time as hosts. Auburn traveled to Corvallis to take on Oregon State and won. Auburn went 2-1 in Omaha. In 2023 Auburn hosted a Regional for the second straight year. Auburn went 0-2 in the Regional.
Playin' on primetime.
📺 » https://t.co/kBv1wkAt4o#WarEagle pic.twitter.com/evRT6UTlD1
— Auburn Baseball (@AuburnBaseball) February 1, 2024
Auburn Baseball is preseason ranked in three of four of the major polls. Baseball America (23), Perfect Game (15), National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (25). The only poll Auburn is not ranked in the Top 25 is D1Baseball. According to the votes, Auburn would be tied for 27th. Multiple members of the D1Baseball collective have mentioned that every year they undervalue Auburn.
Butch continues to upgrade talent each and every year. The depth of the pitching staff has grown and has become what helps Auburn advance in the postseason. The program is on the rise with expectations of the College World Series. An expectation that hasn’t been around since Hal Baird.
Developing 𝗗𝗨𝗗𝗘𝗦 at the dish. 💪
Who’s ready to take the next step in 2024?#WarEagle pic.twitter.com/ReVUfDi8gZ
— Auburn Baseball (@AuburnBaseball) January 31, 2024
