Mr. McGraw included some vintage photos 📷 from his day. The two hats in the next photo 📷 are 40 years and 39 years old.
The time frame is the Mid 1980’s
What an honor to bat 6th, to be in the hitting order and follow the top five is a privilege that I can’t accurately describe! When I was asked, “what does Cavalier Baseball mean to me?”; I have to reiterate what Rod, Matthew, Casey, Kevin and Steve have already explained, the impact Coach Worrell, Coach Whittington, Coach Bolen and Coach Tompkins has had on all of us; then and even now! I named my son after Coach Worrell.
Coach Worrell asked me to be part of his Cavalier JV Football Team as a 12-year-old kid, “water boy”. I looked forward to riding in his 1952 Ford Pickup, painted Cavalier blue, to and from the Cavalier football field. It was then and from the “water boy” position that I first meet a few of the great Cavalier athletes; like Kim Gillespie, Lynn Conner, Jerry Reece, H.J. Hicks, Dennis Marshall, Terry Edwards, Steve Dowdy, Eddie Beck, Dr. Mark Burnette and Coach Ricky Nester, to name a few as there’s many more!
It was then; I knew I wanted to be a Cavalier! As football season ended, basketball began and what followed was a trip to the University of Virginia and the State Basketball Tournament for many of the above football players. For those who weren’t on the basketball court, you very well could find them on the wrestling mat. The Cavalier basketball and wrestling season ended, now Cavalier baseball! I noticed many of the athletes I looked up to; was also on Coach Worrell’s baseball team. WINNERS!
The Cavalier baseball team has been filled with winners for decades and with Casey and Combs leading the way, the future is very bright; their teams will have an abundance of WINNERS! Historically, Cavalier baseball has WON, on an off the field; and I’m certain the tradition will continue forward.
When I think of Cavalier baseball, my memory serves the tradition like the dirt horseshoe, caps worn backwards after wins and the Lord’s Prayer before every game. Or maybe it was the superstitions, like Coach Whittington wearing black polyester slacks and a bright red dress shirt before every game and I mean every game! It takes me to great players on the field; like the Beamer Boys; Joe and John, Jacky Lemons, Terry Dalton, Kenny Meredith, Rod Bryant, Steve Ayers, Craig Worrell, Ralph Berrier, Jr., and the many teammates from 1984-1985. The 1985 team is deep in my heart, District Champions and Region 4 Runner-up. I believe the 1985 team went further than any team before, the Region 4 Finals, we lost that game and 39 years later; it still hurts!
The 85 team was deep and I find it worthy to list each member by name: Doug Reavis, Brian Stuart, Kenny Thomas, Steve Combs, Dwayne Huff, Mike Montgomery, Kenny Helton, Ricky Berrier, Greg Lineberry, J.D. Caudill, Keith Meredith, George Sharp, Keith Hawks, Gary Adams, Tony Sifford, Randy Lyons, Randy Webb, Jeff McCraw, Teddy Lintecum, Phillip Hill, Revonda McGrady, Bobbi Jo Nester, Coach Whittington and Coach Worrell. Being a member of that team was and still is a highlight in my life! I’m learning the Cavalier greats from 1985 onward!
Before them and in the beginning, in 1970 there was; Jim Shockley, Warren Manning and Gary Hull, ending their season 9-4-1. In the 70’s, Jim Burcham, Greg Gravely, Eddie Hanks, Danny Webb, Ricky Frost, Gary Collins, Tim Newman, Keith Bowman, Donnie Crowder, Whitey Williams, Coach Ricky Nester, David Tickle, Jay McCraw, Billy Slate and many more that I haven’t mentioned began the tradition.
I would be unjust and disrepecful, not to mention longtime supporters like Mr. Leroy McGrady and Mr. Phil Coulson. During my time at Carroll County High School, I distinctly remember the love of Cavalier baseball from Mr. McGrady and Mr. Coulson! The fan support Cavalier baseball has and continues to receive, is second to none and speaks volumes of the historical foundation and expectations.
Cavalier baseball, in summary is a commitment to discipline, expectations, perseverance, traditions, pride, class, character, work ethic, dedication; it’s a COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE! Go Cavaliers!
A sincere Thank You 🙏 to Mr. Douglas McCraw and next up is Mr. Hix Miller !
A.S.P.N on The Hill 