This TLSN oral history segment of Longhorn sports as told through the eyes of Texas Buck Cody is sponsored by the Austin based law firm Minton, Bassett, Flores & Carsey Contact John Carsey at jcarsey@mbfc.com
Buck Cody was a pitcher on the 2002 and 2005 Longhorn CWS champions. His story is shared in three formats- Podcast, text, and photos.
Below is the Oral History
There are many great baseball players in the history of Longhorn sports, but few can say they were part of two College World Series. Buck Cody tells his story via the podcast below.
Buck’s journey to Texas starts with a call from DKR to Hall of Honor inductee coach Tommy Harmon asking Tommy to visit Cody on his next recruiting trip to Oklahoma.
2002
Louisville slugger chrome plated bat on display in the Stark Center.
Prior to the start of the 2002 season, head coach Augie Garrido hung a list of goals for the upcoming year on the wall of the Longhorns' locker room. The list read as follows:
- Win the game
- Win the Big 12 Conference
- Win the Big 12 Tournament
- Win the NCAA Regional
- Win the NCAA Super Regional
- Win the College World Series.
By the end of the season Texas had accomplished all these goals.
A school-record 11 Longhorns garnered All-Big 12 accolades, and three others picked up All-America recognition. Texas was led by more than just a few select individuals. The 2002 Longhorns were a club that won on teamwork and unselfishness as each player on its roster came through with big plays and clutch performances to help UT win each of the five championships that it set out to claim at the beginning of the year.
2005
“Well, we’re baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!!! ”
The 2005 championship would have been problematic if, in 2004, both Seth Johnston and Buck Cody had chosen to accept the 6 figure signing bonuses offered by professional baseball. However, Coach Harmon and coach Garrison managed to convince both to remain Longhorns.
06.21.2005 | Baseball
Omaha postcard: Buck Cody
Hello Longhorns Nation,
Buck is holding the CWS national championship trophy.
Seth Johnston put it best a couple of days ago when he said, "spending late June in Omaha never gets old." We have had such a great time since we arrived, from dinners to practice to games to just goofing around. As I am sure most of you are aware, we have had big-time performances from a number of players, and those of us who have not gotten to cross the white lines are anxiously waiting to follow in their footsteps. We know that every team that gets here has an abundance of ability, and are hoping that all of our preparation, experience, sacrifices and hard work will separate us from the others. At the same time, we also know that we cannot control baseball, but instead, only our own best efforts. That being the case, I can promise you all only one thing ... we will play our hardest for nine innings tomorrow night, and win or lose, do the same the next time we are given the opportunity. Until the next time, tune in and Hook'em Horns!!!
Buck Cody
... and the rest of the Longhorns
2.04.2009 | Football Bill Little commentary: Time to play
Buck Cody says prior to the start of the 2005 CWS
Bill Little, Texas Media Relations
In a way, I am reminded of Augie Garrido and his Longhorn baseball team a day or so before UT won yet another College World Series championship a few years ago. Sensing his team's pressure, Garrido took them out to the outfield before one of their final practices. He talked there about a bat and a ball and a game they played since they were kids.
"You don't 'work' baseball," Garrido had said. "You 'play' it."
Augie says that the 2005 team was special because they had confidence and enjoyed playing the game. This team found a "fabulous balance of competitive genius and boyish fun." This was Texas's 4th straight appearance at the CWS.