Debate: These four faces belong on the LSU Tigers Mount Rushmore
By John Fye
We turn our attention to LSU baseball for the third face we must carve into Baton Rouge's Mount Rushmore. As such, no person deserves the honor more than the man who put LSU baseball on the map.
LSU baseball before Stanley "Skip" Bertman was decent. After Bertman arrived in Death Valley, LSU baseball was a national powerhouse.
LSU Tigers Mount Rushmore face No. 3: Skip Bertman
Bertman remains LSU's most winningest head coach with an 870-330-3 (.870) record in 18 seasons leading the baseball program. He instilled a hard-nosed mentality on the diamond in Baton Rouge, translating into 16 NCAA tournament appearances, 11 College World Series appearances, seven SEC championships, and five national titles.
The hardball coach also served as LSU athletic director for five years following retirement.
LSU baseball fans who revel in the Tigers' 2023 national championship-winning season have Skip Bertman to thank. Without Skip, the Tigers might have never emerged as a baseball program with the prestige required to gain the commitments of Dylan Crews or Paul Skenes.
Bertman occasionally roams Alex Box Stadium, engaging in conversation and taking photos with LSU baseball fans.
Skip Bertman is forever enshrined in LSU Tigers history, from his namesake on LSU's baseball field to his No. 15 retired jersey. We intend to go further by carving his face next to Shaq's on the Death Valley version of Mount Rushmore.
Next, we discuss our fourth and final face to appear on the LSU Tigers Mount Rushmore.