COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Former Major League Baseball player and current ESPN baseball analyst Doug Glanville helped the Maryland baseball team and its supporters celebrate the start of the 2016 season at the annual leadoff banquet Saturday night at Riggs Alumni Center

Before Glanville's remarks, Maryland head coach John Szefc addressed the group about the squad's prospects for the upcoming season.

“The guys we have now have established the program's brand nationally,” Szefc said. “It's a talented and deep group. They're experienced and mature. It's a great group to work with.”

Glanville, who played nine seasons in the majors for the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs and Texas Rangers, took the crowd through his starting lineup for his “lessons for life”.

“Congratulations on your great success in the Big Ten and through all these changes,” Glanville said. “You see an up-and-coming program here and that's a credit to Coach Szefc and his staff. It's wonderful to be a part of this.”

After retiring from Major League Baseball in 2005, Glanville has made his name as a writer and analyst, most notably with ESPN's Baseball Tonight, SportsCenter, and as part of the Wednesday Night Baseball broadcast team. He is a frequent contributor to the New York Times, and authors a whimsical blog on his website about parenting and fatherhood called The Daddy Games.

Maryland opens its 2016 campaign with a three-game series at Alabama starting on Feb. 19. The Terps advanced to their second straight Super Regional last season and finished with a school record 42 wins.

Season tickets are now available. Season ticket purchasers will receive a 50 percent discount over single-game ticket prices. Fans can purchase season tickets by clicking here or by calling the Terrapin Ticket Office at 1-800-IM-A-TERP (462-8377).