St. John's University Athletics
St. John's Honors 1966 College World Series Team
12/6/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
QUEENS, N.Y. - The most decorated team in the BIG EAST and one of the top programs in college baseball history, St. John's welcomed one of its all-time great squads back to campus on Monday night, as members of the 1966 College World Series team gathered to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their appearance in Omaha.
Fourteen members of the 1966 squad were present for a pregame ceremony and on-court recognition during the men's basketball team's 76-70 win over Cal State Northridge: Ralph Addonizio, George Blednick, Joe Bruno, John DeBiase, Rick Freund, Mike Gorman, Wally Gross, Frank Madden, Frank Palmieri, William Permakoff, Wayne Stack, John Zarzicki, Ronald Guzas and Walt Witowski. Head Coach Ed Blankmeyer and Associate Vice President for Athletics Kathleen Meehan were also on hand for the event.
The 1966 squad compiled a record of 25-9 under legendary head coach Jack Kaiser, sweeping the District II playoffs to earn a spot in the College World Series at famed Rosenblatt Stadium. In Omaha, the Redmen played their way into the winner's bracket with an opening victory over Northeastern before blanking Texas, 2-0, in their second game. St. John's went on to finish fourth in the tournament, falling by one run to eventual national champion Ohio State before suffering elimination at the hands of Oklahoma State.
Second baseman Matt Galante and shortstop Joe Russo were named to the All-Tournament team that season, as the Redmen recorded the third of six all-time appearances in college baseball's most prestigious event.
The 2017 St. John's Baseball team will kick off its season on Friday, Feb. 17, traveling to Myrtle Beach, S.C., for Caravelle Resort's Baseball at the Beach.
