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The Arizona Wildcats baseball team is making its 19th trip to the College World Series in 2025, an impressive number.
How impressive? Only seven teams have made more CWS appearances: Texas (38), Miami (25), Florida State (24), Arizona State (22), USC (21), LSU (20) and Oklahoma State (20).
But while Arizona may still trail Arizona State in total College World Series appearances, the discrepancy is dwindling. The Wildcats have been to four College World Series (2012, 2016, 2021, 2025) since Arizona State’s last appearance (2010).
That got us wondering.
Does Arizona or Arizona State have the better baseball tradition now?
Here’s what the numbers and fans on social media say in the wake of the Wildcats’ run to the CWS this season as an unseeded team.
College World Series picks: Arizona vs Coastal Carolina | Louisville vs Oregon State | Murray State vs UCLA | LSU vs Arkansas
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Arizona baseball vs Arizona State baseball by the numbers
National championships:
Arizona State: 5 (1965, 1967, 1969, 1977, 1981)Arizona: 4 (1976, 1980, 1986, 2012)College World Series runner-up:Arizona State: 5 (1972, 1973, 1978, 1988, 1998)Arizona: 4 (1956, 1959, 1963, 2016)
College World Series appearances:Arizona State: 22 (four appearances since 2000)Arizona: 19 (five appearances since 2000)NCAA regional championships:Arizona State: 19 (most recent in 2011)Arizona: 11 (most recent in 2025)NCAA tournament appearances:Arizona State: 42 (most recent in 2025)Arizona: 44 (most recent in 2025)Conference regular season championships:Arizona State: 21 (most recent in 2010)Arizona: 9 (most recent in 2024)
Social media reaction: Does Arizona State or Arizona have the better baseball tradition?
247Sports’ Chris Karpman prompted thoughts on the ASU vs Arizona baseball debate with a recent post on social media.
“ASU’s last World Series appearance was 2010 and it has not been to a Super Regional since 2011,” he wrote. “Arizona is heading to its fourth World Series since 2012. Arizona has an impressive baseball tradition but not greater than ASU overall. The bar shouldn’t be lower for ASU than Arizona.”
ASU’s last World Series appearance was 2010 and it has not been to a Super Regional since 2011. Arizona is heading to its fourth World Series since 2012
Arizona has an impressive baseball tradition but not greater than ASU overall. The bar shouldn’t be lower for ASU than Arizona
— Chris Karpman (@ChrisKarpman) June 8, 2025
Some people disagreed with Karpman’s assessment that Arizona did not have a better baseball tradition than Arizona State, citing Arizona’s recent success as a factor in pushing the Wildcats ahead of the Sun Devils overall.
ARIZONA CLEARS ASU HASNT BEEN RELEVANT SINCE THE COLD WAR
— ClipsAndCats (@InZuWeTrust) June 9, 2025
Idk people don’t care about history. UofA has 4 nattys and ASU has 5 but UofA’s last came in 2012. ASU’s last was in 81… other than bowing out of regionals on Saturday our history from 2012-2025 is absolute garbage
— Depressed azsportsfan (@azsportsfan3) June 8, 2025
Zona has 2 chips and a 3rd championship appearance since Asu last won a chip. They’ve surpassed asu in baseball. 81 was 44 years ago.
— TheAZBugle (@TheAZBugle) June 8, 2025
Considering asu hasn’t won since 1981…44 years ago and Arizona has won 2 since; I would say Arizona has a better baseball tradition by far.
— Sean (@match15) June 8, 2025
arizona about to take over asu in baseball blue blood status because asu has been worthless for 15 years, and no titles for 40. all these draft picks with nothing to show for them
— HarBurger (@dangerburner) June 8, 2025
They have a better tradition because of 1 more Championship?
— mikemikemike (@thedirtywop83) June 9, 2025
Everything the ua fans are saying is 100% correct. I grew up watching those 70’s and 80’s teams. They were dominant. But I can’t remember the last time we were relevant. When Pat Murphy was here I guess. It’s pathetic and a major shake up needs to happen.
— Matt 🔱😈 (@Triton_Devil) June 8, 2025
Hang onto that one more natty almost a half century ago 🤡
— Phillip 🌵 (@phancyphill) June 8, 2025
By that same logic Harvard has a greater football tradition than LSU. Whatever that means.
ASU Baseball is ancient history.
— Damon (@DamonDawg) June 8, 2025
I have watched @ASU_Baseball for the past 53 years and we have had so many great Players and teams. I can’t understand how Arizona has had so much success , especially in the last 15 or so years. I am a huge 🌞😈⚾ supporter but it hurts to see ua having more success.
— Dave Rasley (@JoeBear72) June 8, 2025Do Wildcats or Sun Devils have the better baseball tradition?
While Arizona State may have more national titles and College World Series appearances, as well as the lead in some other statistical categories, the Arizona baseball program has had a lot more recent success, success that is amplified with its 2025 College World Series appearance under coach Chip Hale.
Which program do you think has the better baseball tradition now?
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Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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