William Jasper Kerr was the sixth president of Oregon Agricultural College from 1907-1932. Kerr increased the size of the campus with 25 new buildings, including Memorial Union, Milam Hall, and the Women's Building. Kerr also established numerous colleges, including engineering, agriculture, and home economics. After 25 years as president, Kerr became Oregon's first chancellor of higher education.
Prior to the beginnings of varsity baseball in 1907, Oregon State played baseball on an occasional basis beginning as early as 1883. In 1899, the school began playing an indoor version of the game. In 1900, the indoor baseball team compiled a 3-1 record, which included wins over the University of Oregon, Albany College, and the Salem YMCA. Players included: Arthur Derby, Hamilton, Arthur Bier, Small, Ellwood Clark, Grant Elain, Raymond Henkle, Ruben Burgess, Harold Belt, and Jim Hartley.
OSU Coach Jack Riley, Washington State Coach Bobo Brayton and umpires are shown before a game. Riley coached at Oregon State from 1973 through 1994 and is the winningest coach in Beaver Baseball history with a 613-411-5 record. Washington State has been OSU's most formidable rival through the years. OSU has played both Washington State and the University of Washington more times than any other college or university.
Steve Lyons was selected in the first round of the 1981 baseball draft by the Boston Red Sox after completing a successful three-year career as a shortstop with the Beavers. During his nine-year major league career he played for Boston, the Chicago White Sox, the Atlanta Braves, and the Montreal Expos. Nicknamed "Psycho," Lyons is perhaps best remembered as the player who in 1990 dropped his pants to brush the dirt out after sliding headlong into first base.
OAC won this game 7 - University of Washington 3. Emil Seibert played second base at Oregon State from 1918 through 1920. In the background of the photo is the Armory (now McAlexander Fieldhouse) and the Heating Plant.
There was a standing room only crowd at the OAC baseball diamond as the stands were full. Waldo Hall and the Armory (now McAlexander Fieldhouse) are visible in the background.
Photo shows two-time All-American first baseman Jay Dean batting. Dean, who played for the Beavers from 1952 through 1955, was selected as an All-American in 1954 and 1955 by the American Baseball Coaches Association. He holds the OSU career batting average record (.379) and has been considered the best player in OSU baseball history.