In 2008, Gordon Beckham rounded the bases at Foley Field. As he passed first, the former Georgia slugger pointed to Kudzu Hill where a sea of red and black chanted his name. In front of them hung a sign that read “Gordo’s Greenhouse” to honor the Bulldogs’ home run king.
16 years later, Kudzu Hill displayed a new piece of decor. The sign, still made out of a bedsheet and markers, also paid homage to the Bulldogs’ home run leader. However, this time it read “Condon’s Kudzu Kegs.”
Although Georgia baseball’s 2024 campaign ended a win shy of a trip to the College World Series, the Bulldogs vastly resembled their 2008 squad that finished one win away from a title. The season showcased a dangerous up-and-coming Georgia program that had many believing it felt like ‘08.
A star in the making
Beckham entered Athens with slightly more street credit than Charlie Condon did. Georgia was Condon’s only division one offer, and it was as a walk-on. Despite an impressive performance in fall practice, the Bulldogs asked Condon to redshirt, primarily due to the extensive number of returning players.
In 2023, Condon quickly showcased his hitting capability by shattering the SEC’s single season freshman home run record, last set in 2006. The Beckham comparisons quickly arose, and in 2024, the Marietta-native found his name above Beckham’s in the record books.
During Georgia’s final game at No. 1 Texas A&M, Condon smashed a pitch to the scoreboard in deep left-center field. The swing broke the Bulldogs’ single season and career home run marks, which were both set by Beckham in 2008.
The two also homered in their last at-bats at Foley Field, with both coming against NC State in the Super Regional. Following the end of their respective Georgia careers, Condon and Beckham became first round draft picks. The White Sox selected Beckham eighth overall in the 2008 MLB Draft, while the Rockies recently made Condon their third overall pick.
Condon said Beckham is a big mentor for him and reached out a couple of times throughout the season.
“He’s been nothing but a positive voice in my ear and a voice of reason,” Condon said prior to the Super Regional. “He’s been in a similar spot obviously just with the team, and as far as individual stuff goes, he’s been extremely helpful to me. He’s a great dude, and I’m lucky to have him.”
Back for more
Condon was one of several key players to return for the Bulldogs in 2024. Fernando Gonzalez and Corey Collins also opted to finish their careers in the red and black, despite a coaching change, professional opportunities and offers from other schools.
“They’re Bulldogs, and it showed,” longtime Georgia broadcaster Jeff Dantzler said. “It really set the tone.”
Dantzler said their returns, especially that of Condon, resembled another key moment in Georgia athletics.
“It's different because [head football coach Kirby Smart] had been here for a year, but I've always said Kirby's two biggest recruits were Nick Chubb and Sony Michel,” Dantzler said, referencing when Chubb and Michel decided to return for the 2017 season. “What that did spoke volumes about how they felt about Kirby and the direction of the program, and I just felt a lot of the same with Charlie. It showed a lot of confidence in the program, and that stuff's contagious.”
The 2008 Georgia team was also assisted by a key returning athlete. Josh Fields turned down playing for his hometown Braves, who selected him in the second round of the 2007 MLB Draft, for another season with the Bulldogs.
The move worked out well for the right-hander, as Fields became the SEC Pitcher of the Year and led the NCAA with a school record 18 saves. He then heard his name called again in the Draft, but this time, it was in the first round by the Mariners.
Fields, coupled with the dynamic lineup of Beckham and sophom*ore Rich Poythress that Dantzler said was “somewhat similar to a Condon and Collins type deal,” helped lead Georgia to its latest SEC regular season title and a win shy of a national championship.
Condon, Collins and Gonzalez, meanwhile, headlined a 2024 Georgia team that came one win shy of a chance to replicate the 2008 season.
Parallel paths
As the saying goes, “lightning never strikes twice in the same place.” However, with the 2024 team, it came awfully close.
The 2008 Bulldogs beat Georgia Tech at Foley Field to advance to the Super Regional, where they faced NC State. The 2024 team took the exact same path, defeating the Yellow Jackets to host the Wolfpack in its first Super Regional appearance since that 2008 season.
“When the bracket came out like that, it definitely brought back a lot of memories,” Dantzler said.
Georgia’s opponent also took a parallel path. In 2008, NC State won its Regional by defeating James Madison and South Carolina. In 2024, the Wolfpack advanced by beating the same two teams.
Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, the script flipped when NC State won the series to keep Georgia a win away from advancing to its first College World Series since 2008.
A steady leader
David Perno and Wes Johnson were at different points of their careers when directing the 2008 and 2024 ball clubs. The 2008 season was Perno’s seventh coaching the Bulldogs, while 2024 was Johnson’s first season at the helm.
Despite the different lengths in tenures, the two head coaches displayed similar qualities. Dantzler said they both related to players and brought a positive energy to the team.
“They know which buttons to push and how to get the best out of the guys,” Dantzler said. “There's an old saying, some kids you’ve got to pat on the butt, some you need to kick in the [butt]. I think they've both done a great job recognizing the talent, putting the guys in the best position to win and just relating great to the players.”
Both Perno and Johnson also embraced the culture that came with being the head coach of the Bulldogs. This came easy for Perno, who grew up in Athens and played on Georgia’s 1990 College World Series championship team.
Johnson, on the other hand, was born in Atlanta but is a native of Arkansas. Prior to taking the role, he knew the Georgia area well but did not share the same connection to it that Perno did. However, that did not stop Johnson from quickly welcoming the culture and even exhibiting a similar habit to Georgia alumn Kirby Smart.
“Every interview that [David Johnston] and I do with him, he ends it up with ‘Go Dogs,’” Dantzler said of Johnson.
The 2008 Georgia baseball team was one that will be remembered for its success and camaraderie. The same could be said for the 2024 squad, even though it featured lots of new faces.
With the year to build upon, Georgia likely has many more accomplishments and seasons that rival 2008 to look forward to.
“'I’m just very excited about the future of the program here at Georgia,” Dantzler said. “I think we have great days ahead.”
