He was a junior college transfer who joined the Bisons when they were hot – a year after a three-year roll of two NAIA National Championship sandwiched around a fourth place finish. But Steven Baertschi made a quick name for himself, matching the talent level and sustaining the winning culture. He graduated from Lipscomb with a degree in Chemistry before earning a doctorate in Organic Chemistry at Vanderbilt. We learned more about this well-rounded former Bison when he sat down for a quick visit with LipscombSports.com.
What years did you compete for Lipscomb?
I played baseball for two years, 1979 and 1980, for Head Coach Ken Dugan and Assistant Coach Curtis Putnam.
What teammate was most memorable?
We had so many CHARACTERS on the baseball team it is difficult to narrow it down, but certainly Mike Cunningham stands out. He transferred from a junior college the same year I did and we developed a good friendship starting from scratch as juniors and earning spots in the starting lineup. I roomed first with Glenn Eddins (four-time NAIA All-American) and then with Neal Langdon. I was so impressed with Neal as a great Christian guy with a strong work ethic who modeled good study habits to me.
What degrees have you earned?
I earned my B.S. in Chemistry from Lipscomb (1980) and a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Vanderbilt University (1989).
Why did you attend Lipscomb?
I graduated from a junior college in Iowa that had a very strong baseball program, and I was looking for a school further south that had an excellent baseball reputation. I transferred to Lipscomb because I was attracted by the opportunity to attend a Christian school with great baseball. After being recruited by several DI and DII baseball programs, I was playing in the Shenandoah Valley summer collegiate baseball league in Virginia in 1978. Some Lipscomb players in the league apparently recommended me to Coach Dugan, and he reached out to me. I chose Lipscomb in part because they seemed to me to be the best NAIA baseball program in the country, having finished first and fourth in the nation in 1977 and 1978 before winning it again in 1979.
What is your favorite athletic memory at Lipscomb?
Winning the NAIA College Baseball National Championship in 1979 in front of a large hometown crowd in Nashville was an awesome experience. My senior year I recall being lucky enough to hit two grand-slam home runs (against cross-town rivals Belmont and Trevecca) during our qualification playoff games for the 1980 World Series, which was also hosted in Nashville.
Who influenced your athletic career at Lipscomb?
When I came to Lipscomb as a junior, I met Bob Hamilton, an All-American centerfielder for Lipscomb who had graduated the year before I arrived. He helped coach our outfielders that fall while he played for the Nashville Sounds, Nashville’s AA minor league team. We became friends and off-season workout buddies, and I learned a lot from him during our workouts – including extending my range in the outfield and improving my bat speed at the plate.
What do you remember about Lipscomb campus life during your time here?
I was so serious about baseball back then that most of my time was spent playing, practicing, or working out for baseball … then studying frantically so I could stay “afloat” in my classes! I probably missed a lot of the interesting campus life, but I enjoyed the hard work we put in as a baseball team, the many road trips we took, and the close relationships with teammates.
Who were your favorite professors?
I had several professors that I liked and admired, but one professor stands out – Dr. Ralph Nance – in spite of the fact that I never took a class under him! He was smart, caring, a good teacher, and always willing to open up his home to students. The Nance family was close to Bob Hamilton, a good friend of mine, so I got to meet them through him. I wish I could have taken a class under Dr. Nance.
What is the most valuable lesson you learned in your time at Lipscomb?
Time management was very important, and I had to learn to balance the demands of an intense baseball schedule, two hours for a daily Bible class and chapel, and my academic classes (Chemistry major). It required discipline and dedication to keep up, but it led to good lifetime habits for me.
What do you do now?
I enjoyed a career in the pharmaceutical industry as an organic/analytical chemist, retiring from Eli Lilly & Co. in 2015. I am now doing the same type of work as an independent consultant, which I very much enjoy. It provides me with a more flexible schedule and the opportunity to work with companies across the USA and Europe. I took up golf about seven years ago, and I really enjoy playing – although I now wish I had started younger.
Tell us about your family:
My wife, Cheryl, and I have four grown boys – Jordan, Wade, Joey, and Tristen (ages 30-27) – and one grandson, Andrew (3). Fortunately we all live close to each other in the Indianapolis area. My wife and I enjoy traveling, and we use some of my work-related travel to create vacation experiences. None of our boys developed an interest in baseball, but that is just fine because they have found their own passions in life!
FAST FINISH:
- Favorite food: Steak
- Favorite TV show or movie: The Andy Griffith Show (the old black and white episodes)
- Favorite Bible scripture: I Thessalonians 5:16-18 – “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God ‘s will for you in Christ Jesus.” NOTE: This is a verse in honor of Tyler Trent, a member of our church in Indianapolis who passed away at a very young age on Jan. 1, 2019.
- Favorite sports team: Indianapolis Colts
- Person I most admire: Billy Graham
- Rather ride or drive? Drive
- Pick one – salad or dessert: Dessert!
- Dream vacation spot: Maui
- Early morning or late night person? Now that I am “semi-retired”… late night!
You can reach Steven via email at swbaertschi@aol.com
