IRVINE, Calif. -- Big West alums
Evan Longoria (Long Beach State '06) and
Kyle Nelson (UC Santa Barbara '17) are set to play in the 2023 Major League Baseball World Series for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Longoria spent 2005 and 2006 at Long Beach State and hit .336 with 16 home runs and 73 RBI in a two-year career. In 2006, the third baseman was The Big West Co-Player of the Year and a Golden Spikes Award Finalist, given to the best player in college baseball, hitting .353 with 11 home runs and 43 RBI that culminated on being the third overall selection in the MLB Draft. The Downey, Calif. native is a three-time MLB All-Star, three-time Gold Glover and a Silver Slugger. This marks a long-awaited return to the Fall Classic for Longoria, who competed in the event in 2008 with the Tampa Bay Rays, who were eventually defeated by Philadelphia Phillies in Longoria's AL Rookie of the Year season. According to
MLB.com's Sarah Langs, Longoria becomes the fourth player – and first non-pitcher – to go 15-plus years between World Series appearances.
Nelson played three seasons at UC Santa Barbara. As a sophomore in 2016, the San Francisco native earned All-Big West First Team honors after going 7-2 with a 2.18 ERA and 87 strikeouts in 74 innings. Nelson was selected by the now-Cleveland Guardians in the 15th round of the 2017 MLB Draft and was called up to the top squad during the 2020 season. Nelson's contract was claimed by the Diamondbacks before the 2022 season.
The Big West will be represented in the World Series staff ranks as Michael Young (UC Santa Barbara '97) is a Special Assistant to the General Manager for the Texas Rangers. Young was a three-year Gaucho and a 1997 All-Big West First Team selection after hitting .359 with 55 RBI and 16 home runs. The Covina, Calif. native was selected in the fifth round of the 1997 MLB Draft and a seven-time All-Star seven and Gold Glove recipient. Young's No. 10 jersey is retired by the Texas Rangers and is a member of the club's Hall of Fame.
| 2023 World Series Schedule |
| Game No. |
Home Team |
Away Team |
First Pitch |
| Game 1 |
Rangers |
Diamondbacks |
Oct. 27, 5:03 p.m. PT |
| Game 2 |
Rangers |
Diamondbacks |
Oct. 28, 5:03 p.m. PT |
| Game 3 |
Diamondbacks |
Rangers |
Oct. 30, 5:03 p.m. PT |
| Game 4 |
Diamondbacks |
Rangers |
Oct. 31, 5:03 p.m. PT |
| Game 5 (if necessary) |
Diamondbacks |
Rangers |
Nov. 1, 5:03 p.m. PT |
| Game 6 (if necessary) |
Rangers |
Diamondbacks |
Nov. 3, 5:03 p.m. PT |
| Game 7 (if necessary) |
Rangers |
Diamondbacks |
Nov. 4, 5:03 p.m. PT |