Tommy Lasorda, the National Baseball Hall of Famer who led the Los Angeles Dodgers to two World Series titles as manager, speaks at the Celebration of Life ceremony for the late Ron Fraser. About 1,000 people, including family members, friends, and fans, gathered at UM’s Knight Sports Complex on February 23 to pay tribute to Fraser, the legendary Miami Hurricanes baseball coach who won more than 1,200 games and captured two national titles. Fraser passed away January 20 at the age of 79.

“He developed a lot of players not just for Major League Baseball but for life,” said Lasorda, who first met Fraser in 1952. “After leaving him, players knew what it was like to get into the big world and be able to face it.”

UM President Donna E. Shalala said Fraser embodied the true spirit of college baseball. “Whenever I saw him, he lit up the room,” said Shalala. “He made people feel special—it must have been his wizard’s charm.”

Known as the Wizard of College Baseball, Fraser led the Hurricanes to 20 consecutive NCAA regional berths and 12 College World Series appearances, winning national titles in 1982 and 1985.

Fraser will be remembered as much for his innovative marketing tactics as his winning Miami teams. When UM hired him in 1962, America’s pastime was something of an afterthought at the University. But the young coach quickly set his sights on creating a national power and getting fans excited about Hurricanes baseball.

He started the Dinner on the Diamond event, formed the first-ever group of batgirls (the Sugarcanes), and created a mascot—the Miami Maniac. He also convinced ESPN to broadcast college baseball.

Former Hurricanes football coach Howard Schnellenberger, current UM baseball coach Jim Morris, who succeeded Fraser at Miami, and former Major League Baseball catcher Charles Johnson, who played for Fraser at UM, were among the other speakers at the Celebration of Life ceremony.