The Bruins have had many great baseball players through the years that have gone on to have successful Major League careers. These five players were the best the blue and gold had to offer.
The UCLA Bruins have had hundreds of great athletes represent their university for years in all of their major sports including baseball. Although the Bruins baseball program doesn’t have as rich of a history as their distinguished basketball or football teams, there have been many outstanding players who have crossed the diamond for UCLA.
Some of these baseball players not only had a great impact on the Bruins but made it to the major league level and had terrific careers. Some were even a part of World Series championship teams. However, that major league success would not have been possible without playing college ball first.
Although it’s difficult to narrow down, these five players are the best UCLA baseball players of all time. Remember: These are the players with the best college careers, not necessarily their overall careers.
5.) Chase Utley – Infielder (1998-2000)
Before he helped the Philadelphia Phillies win the 2008 World Series and became hated among Los Angeles Dodgers fans, Utley once wore a uniform with Los Angeles written across his chest when he played for the Bruins.
The Long Beach product was a well-rounded hitter having a career batting average of .342 while hitting 53 home runs and driving in 174 runs in his three years at UCLA. In his final season in 2000, Utley led the team in runs scored with 81 and stolen bases with 15. He also helped the team reach the NCAA Super Regionals for the first time in school history in that same season.
He earned All-Pac-10 team honors twice in his collegiate career, was named to the All-American first team, and considered the No. 16 college prospect in the nation. Utley was also inducted to the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010.
4.) Ryan McGuire – First Baseman/Pitcher (1991-1993)
McGuire had some great years for the Bruins in 1992 and 1993 and was the leader in many offensive categories. He led them in home runs, RBIs, runs scored, total bases, walks, and on-base percentage during those two seasons. McGuire was also the batting champion for UCLA in 1993 hitting .376.
McGuire was a first-team All-American for the Bruins and led them to two NCAA tournament appearances. He was inducted to the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame in 2003.
Although he didn’t end up having a great professional career, the Bellflower native was one of the most efficient hitters and two-way players in Bruins baseball history.
3.) Eric Karros – Infielder (1986-1988)
Some people would say his three years with the Bruins set the stage for his terrific MLB career and they would be correct in that statement. Karros’ high standard of consistent hitting started at the collegiate level.
In his three seasons at UCLA, Karros hit .365, belted 26 home runs, had 123 RBIs, and had a .602 slugging percentage. His best season came in 1988 when he led the Bruins with 17 home runs, 54 RBIs, 169 total bases, and a .487 on-base percentage. Karros was selected to the All-American third-team and the Pac-10 All-Conference team in the same season. He was also inducted to the Bruins Athletics Hall of Fame in 1998.
Karros took his great swing across town to the Los Angeles Dodgers for 12 seasons and was named the 1992 National League Rookie of the Year. He hit 270 career home runs for the Dodgers which is third-most in franchise history.
2.) Shane Mack – Outfielder (1982-1984)
Mack’s last two seasons for the Bruins were outstanding leading the blue and gold in home runs, RBIs, runs scored, total bases, and on-base percentage. In 1983, he also led UCLA with 88 hits and a .419 batting average, which was the seventh-best all-time in the Pac-10.
In his career, Mack boasted a .361 batting average, 29 home runs, 142 RBIs, 158 runs scored and 44 stolen bases. He was also the runner-up for the 1983 Pac-10 All-Conference MVP award. Mack was named to All-Pac-10 and All-American teams in 1983 and 1984 and was inducted to the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame in 2002.
The Los Angeles native was a silver-medalist on the 1984 US Olympic baseball team and spent 12 seasons in the MLB. The highlight of his career came in 1991 when he helped the Minnesota Twins win the World Series.
1.) Troy Glaus – Infielder (1995-1997)
When talking about pure power hitters, there are none in UCLA’s history that compare to Glaus. His best season came in his junior year in 1997 when led the Bruins with 34 home runs, 91 RBIs, and 100 runs scored. Glaus also led the team with a .409 batting average, a .520 on-base percentage, and a .860 slugging percentage.
His production helped UCLA win the Pac-10 title and reach the College World Series for just the second time in school history. He was the 1997 Pac-10 Player of the Year and named to the All-American first team as well. Glaus was also a UCLA Athletics Hall-of-Famer getting inducted 2007
Glaus eventually went on to have a successful MLB career specifically in his first seven seasons playing for his hometown Anaheim Angels. When the Angels won the 2002 World Series, he was named Series MVP.
These five players had some tremendous individual success for the Bruins and even though it didn’t lead to national championships, they still had a great impact on the baseball program. These talented athletes represent UCLA’s ability to always find the best and watch them blossom into something great.
Honorable mention: Jackie Robinson (1940), Torey Lovullo (1984-1987), Garret Atkins (1998-2000)
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