Missouri baseball coach Tim Jamieson’s 550th career victory seemed to be a big deal to everyone present Saturday at Taylor Stadium — everyone but the aged skipper himself, at least.
“It just feels good to get a win,” Jamieson said, following his team’s sweep of visiting Le Moyne that placed him in a territory of few.
Amid a struggling start to the season, Saturday’s win seemed to be just what the team needed.
“It’s a pretty big deal,” junior Matt Stites said. “I’m pretty honored to be here for that to happen.”
Such was not the attitude of Jamieson (551-391-2), who trails only Gene McArtor’s all-time Missouri win total of 733. Despite the insistence from reporters that the accomplishment was no selfish accolade, the coach remained true to his relaxed, forward-looking persona.
Perhaps to fully understand and appreciate Jamieson’s apathetic response, one must delve into the character the coach has portrayed from the dugout of Taylor Stadium for the last 17 seasons. Come rain or shine, win or loss, Jamieson’s calm-but-focused outlook has remained consistent throughout his time at Missouri.
“He’s very even-keeled,”starting pitcher Zach Hardoin said of Jamieson. “He doesn’t ever get too mad at anybody, but when things need to get done, they get done. It’s (been) great playing for him.”
Jamieson began his trek from dugout to mound back in 1955 at Taylor Stadium, following McArtor’s retirement. The job was a natural fit given Jamieson’s Tiger bloodline. His father, Dick, served as offensive coordinator for the football team under head coach Al Onofrio. His brother Jeff and sister Judi both attended Missouri.
The program didn’t miss a beat with the change in leadership as the Tigers won the Big Eight Conference championship in the second season under Jamieson. In total, Missouri has won 30 games or more in a season 13 times under Jamieson. The two-time conference Coach of the Year has led the Tigers to eight NCAA Regional appearances, including the program’s only Regional crown in 2006.
Jamieson continues to receive honors, despite entrenching himself in a rebuilding project with the current Tigers team. He was selected this past winter to lead the USA Collegiate National Team this upcoming summer. Also recently, Missouri extended the Big 12’s most tenured head baseball coach through the 2013 season.
As the accolades continue to pile up, Jamieson’s focus remains consistent: this year, this team.
“When we get to the end and I’m done, (the record will) mean something to me,” Jamieson said. “Right now, (I’m) just trying to figure out a way to win tomorrow.”
