South Carolina Baseball’s Legendary Four: The Icons Who Belong on the Gamecocks’ Mount Rushmore of All-Time Great Players
When it comes to the proud tradition of South Carolina baseball, few programs in the country can match the Gamecocks in terms of consistent success, passionate fan support, and historic achievements. From College World Series glory to SEC dominance and beyond, South Carolina’s baseball legacy has been built on the backs of extraordinary players whose individual brilliance helped shape the program into a national powerhouse.
Recently, The State newspaper undertook the monumental task of selecting a “Mount Rushmore” of South Carolina baseball—a symbolic tribute to the four most iconic and influential players in program history. Choosing only four was no easy feat, considering the vast array of All-Americans, Major League stars, and postseason legends who have worn the garnet and black. Still, the selections offer a powerful representation of greatness across multiple eras of Gamecock baseball.
Each of these four players brought something unique to the field. Together, they form a composite of excellence—power, poise, leadership, and impact both on and off the diamond. And while debates will always rage among fans over who should or shouldn’t be included, the Mount Rushmore of South Carolina baseball as presented by The State is a fitting tribute to a program steeped in tradition and driven by greatness.
Few players in South Carolina history have had the clutch gene quite like Jackie Bradley Jr. Known for his electrifying defense in center field, smooth left-handed swing, and poise under pressure, Bradley became the face of South Carolina’s back-to-back national championship teams in 2010 and 2011.
During the 2010 College World Series, Bradley was named the Most Outstanding Player after hitting .345 with nine RBIs and a series of momentum-shifting plays, both at the plate and in the field. His bat delivered in critical moments, but his defense was even more memorable—highlighted by diving catches and game-saving plays that made him a viral sensation in Omaha and beyond.
Bradley’s time at South Carolina wasn’t just about individual heroics. He represented a new golden era for Gamecock baseball. Under head coach Ray Tanner, the program had long flirted with national success, but it was Bradley who helped deliver on the promise. His presence elevated the program’s expectations and showed the college baseball world that South Carolina could not only compete with the best—but beat them on the biggest stage.
After college, Bradley transitioned smoothly into professional baseball, becoming a first-round draft pick and eventually winning a Gold Glove with the Boston Red Sox. Yet, for many Gamecock fans, his most defining moments came in Columbia and Omaha—when he turned big dreams into reality.
If Jackie Bradley Jr. was the soul of South Carolina’s championship runs, then Michael Roth was the beating heart. The left-handed pitcher emerged in legendary fashion during the 2010 College World Series, when he delivered a surprise complete game victory over Clemson in the semifinals—a performance that cemented his status as a Gamecock great overnight.
Roth wasn’t supposed to be the ace. He began his college career as a little-used reliever, and few could’ve predicted the meteoric rise that followed. But once given a chance, Roth seized the moment. His uncanny ability to mix pitches, locate with precision, and out-think hitters made him a nightmare for opposing lineups.
In 2011, Roth was nearly unbeatable, going 14-3 with a 1.06 ERA—a performance that earned him First Team All-American honors and a finalist nod for the Golden Spikes Award. His poise on the mound and leadership off it made him the spiritual leader of a Gamecock team that went on to win its second consecutive national title.
Roth’s career record speaks volumes: 26 wins, a sub-2.00 ERA over his final two seasons, and three consecutive trips to Omaha. But perhaps what made Roth so beloved was his passion for the university. A true student-athlete and ambassador, Roth carried himself with humility, humor, and intelligence—earning respect from teammates, opponents, and fans alike. On the Mount Rushmore of South Carolina baseball, Roth’s place is unquestioned.
Before the back-to-back national championships, there was Justin Smoak—one of the most feared hitters in college baseball and the offensive catalyst who helped elevate South Carolina into perennial national relevance. A switch-hitting first baseman with jaw-dropping power, Smoak left a mark on Gamecock baseball that endures to this day.
From 2006 to 2008, Smoak put up video game-like numbers. He ranks among the program’s all-time leaders in home runs, RBIs, and total bases. His 62 career home runs remain one of the most iconic numbers in South Carolina history, and he was an absolute menace to opposing pitchers every time he stepped into the box.
But it wasn’t just about raw power. Smoak had an advanced approach at the plate, drawing walks, working counts, and making pitchers earn every out. He was a complete hitter and a standout defender at first base, making him one of the most valuable players in the country during his tenure.
Selected in the first round of the MLB Draft by the Texas Rangers, Smoak would go on to have a productive big league career, including a 38-home run season with the Toronto Blue Jays. Yet, to Gamecock faithful, his legacy was already secure before he ever reached the majors. He helped transform South Carolina from a regional contender into a legitimate national threat, laying the foundation for the success that would follow just a few years later.
Long before the national titles and the SEC dominance, Drew Meyer was the player who helped put South Carolina baseball back on the map. A slick-fielding shortstop with speed, energy, and leadership, Meyer played during a time when the program was undergoing a major transformation under Ray Tanner—and he was the ideal player to lead that charge.
From 2000 to 2002, Meyer was the table-setter for a Gamecock team that went from promising to powerhouse. He led by example, consistently getting on base, stealing bases, and making highlight-reel plays in the field. His 2002 season was a masterclass in all-around baseball, as he hit over .330 while playing elite defense and guiding the Gamecocks to the College World Series.
That 2002 team would fall just short of a national title, but it proved that South Carolina belonged among the sport’s elite. Meyer was drafted in the first round by the Texas Rangers, becoming one of the first Gamecock players in the modern era to earn that distinction. His success helped kickstart a new wave of talent and solidified South Carolina as a destination for top-tier recruits.
Meyer’s impact goes beyond the stat sheet. He was the program’s spark plug at a time when it desperately needed one. His leadership and performance gave South Carolina the belief that greatness was possible—and within reach.
Jackie Bradley Jr., Michael Roth, Justin Smoak, and Drew Meyer. Four different eras. Four different skill sets. One common thread: greatness.
Their inclusion on South Carolina baseball’s Mount Rushmore speaks not only to their statistical dominance but to their lasting impact on the program’s identity. They each helped elevate the Gamecocks in unique ways—Bradley and Roth through national titles and postseason heroics, Smoak through awe-inspiring power and consistency, and Meyer through leadership and turning-point performance during a key moment in program history.
Together, they form a mosaic of excellence. A player from every corner of the diamond: a center fielder, a pitcher, a first baseman, and a shortstop. Each etched their name in the Gamecocks’ lore, and each will be remembered for generations to come.
Of course, many other names deserve recognition—players like Christian Walker, Whit Merrifield, Landon Powell, and Grayson Greiner could all make strong cases for inclusion. And they, too, are part of the rich history that makes South Carolina baseball one of the most respected programs in the country.
But Mount Rushmore only has four faces, and in this case, The State chose wisely. Because these four legends didn’t just play the game—they changed it forever in Columbia.
