Photo by: Matt A. Brown
Jered Weaver To Be First Dirtbags Player To Have Number Retired
4/19/2024 9:53:00 AM | Baseball
The iconic “Friday Knight” will see his 36 retired in a ceremony this season on May 10.
LONG BEACH, Calif. – 2004 National Player of the Year and multiple time MLB All-Star Jered Weaver will be the first Long Beach State baseball player to have their number retired, as the team celebrates his accomplishments on May 10 prior to the Black and Blue Rivalry against UC Irvine.
Weaver dominating college competition at Blair Field is one of the enduring memories for most Dirtbags fans. During the 2004 season that saw Long Beach State advance to the NCAA Super Regionals, Weaver on two occasions struck out the first 10 batters he faced, and his 213 strikeouts that season still rank sixth in NCAA history for the most in one year. He started that season 14-0 and struck out 17 batters against Pacific, another Long Beach State record that still stands.
At the conclusion of that spectacular campaign, Weaver was named the Golden Spikes Award winner as the National Player of the Year, and won two other major awards, the 2004 Dick Howser Award and the 2004 Roger Clemens Award. Weaver was named the National Player of the Year in 2004 by the ABCA, Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball, and the NCBWA.
The "Friday Knight" was more than just a one-year wonder. Weaver concluded his three-year Long Beach State career with eight first-team All-American selections, and his 55 games started, 37 games won, 370 innings pitched, and 431 strikeouts are all still Long Beach State career records. He averaged over 10 strikeouts per nine innings and closed his career with a 2.43 ERA.
Drafted 12th overall by his hometown team in 2004, Weaver quickly rose through the minor league ranks to become just as well-known and beloved as a professional. Primarily playing with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim over the course of 12 pro seasons, Weaver won 150 games and was a three-time All-Star, leading Major League Baseball in strikeouts in 2010 and throwing a no-hitter in 2012 against the Minnesota Twins.
Throughout it all, Weaver has continued to support his roots and the program, giving back in support of the Jered Weaver Bullpen at Bohl Diamond at Blair Field as well as other projects throughout the years in support of current Dirtbags.
Weaver joins only former head coaches in jersey retirements for the program. Previously, the team has celebrated John McConnell (#2, 1954-59), John Gonsalves (#25, 1970-88), Dave Snow (#18, 1989-2001), and Mike Weathers (#21, 2002-10).
A limited number of shirts honoring Weaver's number 36 will be given out before the game. Dirtbags season ticket holders will have early entry to Bohl Diamond at Blair Field beginning at 4:30 p.m. while the public will enter when gates open at 5 p.m.
Season tickets for the remaining 11 games on the 2024 schedule will be available for purchase for $70 and purchased today.
Purchase End of Year Season Ticket Plan
https://longbeachstate.evenue.net/events/DB
Purchase Tickets For May 10
https://longbeachstate.evenue.net/
~#skoBags~
Weaver dominating college competition at Blair Field is one of the enduring memories for most Dirtbags fans. During the 2004 season that saw Long Beach State advance to the NCAA Super Regionals, Weaver on two occasions struck out the first 10 batters he faced, and his 213 strikeouts that season still rank sixth in NCAA history for the most in one year. He started that season 14-0 and struck out 17 batters against Pacific, another Long Beach State record that still stands.
At the conclusion of that spectacular campaign, Weaver was named the Golden Spikes Award winner as the National Player of the Year, and won two other major awards, the 2004 Dick Howser Award and the 2004 Roger Clemens Award. Weaver was named the National Player of the Year in 2004 by the ABCA, Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball, and the NCBWA.
The "Friday Knight" was more than just a one-year wonder. Weaver concluded his three-year Long Beach State career with eight first-team All-American selections, and his 55 games started, 37 games won, 370 innings pitched, and 431 strikeouts are all still Long Beach State career records. He averaged over 10 strikeouts per nine innings and closed his career with a 2.43 ERA.
Drafted 12th overall by his hometown team in 2004, Weaver quickly rose through the minor league ranks to become just as well-known and beloved as a professional. Primarily playing with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim over the course of 12 pro seasons, Weaver won 150 games and was a three-time All-Star, leading Major League Baseball in strikeouts in 2010 and throwing a no-hitter in 2012 against the Minnesota Twins.
Throughout it all, Weaver has continued to support his roots and the program, giving back in support of the Jered Weaver Bullpen at Bohl Diamond at Blair Field as well as other projects throughout the years in support of current Dirtbags.
Weaver joins only former head coaches in jersey retirements for the program. Previously, the team has celebrated John McConnell (#2, 1954-59), John Gonsalves (#25, 1970-88), Dave Snow (#18, 1989-2001), and Mike Weathers (#21, 2002-10).
A limited number of shirts honoring Weaver's number 36 will be given out before the game. Dirtbags season ticket holders will have early entry to Bohl Diamond at Blair Field beginning at 4:30 p.m. while the public will enter when gates open at 5 p.m.
Season tickets for the remaining 11 games on the 2024 schedule will be available for purchase for $70 and purchased today.
Purchase End of Year Season Ticket Plan
https://longbeachstate.evenue.net/events/DB
Purchase Tickets For May 10
https://longbeachstate.evenue.net/
~#skoBags~
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