By John Mesh
CBS for years hyped the Masters golf tournament as “a tradition like no other.”
That could also be said of the National Baseball Congress World Series played every year in Wichita. It’s all about tradition and keeping that tradition and history alive.
The 91st NBC World Series started on Thursday at Wichita State University’s Eck Stadium-Tyler Field.
The tournament concludes on Aug. 2 with the final championship game at Equity Bank Park on the west side of the river in downtown Wichita.
The Hutchinson Monarchs, second-place finishers in 2024 and first-place winners in 2023, are playing in their 13th NBC World Series.
Hutchinson played Pool B games against the San Diego Stars and Dodge City A’s and will play the Seattle Cheney Studs at 6 p.m. Monday.
The NBC Tournament has fielded some of the greatest MLB players ever — the most famous of which was the legendary pitcher Satchel Paige.
Paige was signed to a $1,000 personal appearance contract for the 1935 tournament.
A victim of the baseball color barrier, Paige was not eligible to play minor league or major league baseball.
Paige won four games, striking out 60 batters while leading the Bismarck Churchills to the first NBC World Series championship. He was named MVP of the tournament.
Paige is one of several Baseball Hall of Famers who have played in the NBC World Series. Others are Trevor Hoffman, Don Sutton, Tom Seaver, Ozzie Smith and Tony Gwynn.
Other superstars in who have played in the NBC Tournament are World Series hero Joe Carter (All-American at Wichita State University) and former Hutchinson Broncs Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens.
Other notable alumni include Mark McGwire, Albert Pujols (future Hall of Fame member) and Tim Lincecum.
Paige was named the first NBC World Series Graduate of the Year in 1955. The award has been handed out on a regular basis since 1975.
The 2025 Graduate of the Year is former Baltimore Orioles’ All-Star first baseman/designated hitter Ryan O’Hearn, who formerly played for the Kansas City Royals.
O’Hearn was a member of the Santa Barbara Foresters in both 2012 and 2013, including the 2012 NBC Championship team.
During the 2012 championship run, O’Hearn started all eight games at first base for the Foresters. In 2013, he started all five games during the Foresters’ NBC run, batting an impressive .278 and leading the team in doubles during the season.
The 2023 and 2024 NBC Graduates of the Year are Ryan Helsey (St. Louis Cardinals) and Josh Jung (Texas Rangers).
The tournament attracts scouts from nearly every MLB team each year.