Twenty years ago, Jim Page took over a less than average Millsaps College baseball team. Two decades later, that team has turned into one of the state's elite Division III baseball programs.
"I didn't know if I'd be alive 21 years later," Page joked. "It's been a good ride and I want to keep watching the scenery and keep going. I've learned I'm a lot better coach now than I was in 1989 and Lord willing I'll be here another 20 years."
Page entered the opening weekend of the 2009 baseball season just one win shy of 500 for his storied career, as the Majors welcomed LaGrange, Rhodes and the University of the Ozarks to Twenty Field for the annual Wilson/DeMarini Classic. Trailing 8-5 entering the bottom of the seventh inning, Millsaps rallied for seven unanswered runs over the final two innings to defeat LaGrange 12-8 in its season-opener and earn Page his 500th career victory.
"What's so neat about it is seeing some of the former guys come back and them being excited for me," Page said. "I look at the guys who've been with me for a long time and what they give to this program and it's incredible. What I'll remember about No. 500 is all the memories of the players we've had, the coaching staff's, the administration and the support of our fans."
Prior to his arrival as head coach in 1989, Millsaps had on record just five winning seasons since 1950, with several of those just nine or 10-game schedules. During his tenure, Page has enjoyed 17 winning seasons against just three losing seasons, including guiding the Majors to a school-record 37 wins and within one out of their first ever World Series berth in 2006.
Last week, Page owned a 499-298-3 (.624) career mark, earning his first win on February 24, 1989 against Rhodes College 4-3. He is the all-time winningest coach in Millsaps history dating back to the inaugural 1908 season.
"This is not about me, it's about our team, our program and Millsaps College," Page said. "I really enjoy these kids and this new group and I'm looking forward to the 2009 season and what we have to offer."
Page's Milestone Wins:
- 100 - 4/24/1993 vs Trinity University (10-2)
- 200 - 4/19/1997 at Centre College (12-5)
- 300 - 3/19/2002 vs Illinois Wesleyan (4-3)
- 400 - 2/14/2006 vs Mississippi College (16-1)
- 450 - 3/18/2007 vs Austin College (7-1)
For more Millsaps Majors athletic news visit www.gomajors.com.
