I know. I know. It’s been 20 days since South Carolina dogpiled and I filed my last real bit of writing here on the site. Mea culpa. As I told Easton’s Kyle Horn, when asked about my lack of entries since Omaha, it’s like decompressing from rehab. I have to get used to not chasing the dragon first. 

Well not to worry ladies and gents, I’m good now. After starting and stopping a few times the last two weeks, I’m finally ready to finish a daily entry here at College Baseball Today. 

And let me start by adding a few more thoughts and short tales from the College World Series that I wasn’t able to add during the 10 days I was there. 

 

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- YOU MIGHTA THOUGHT THIS WOULD HAPPEN A FEW YEARS AGO.

One of the first things that struck me after South Carolina won the national championship this season was the irony over this not necessarily being one of the better teams that Ray Tanner had put together in Columbia. He had a streak of even-numbered seasons where his 2000, 2002 and 2004 teams were certainly worthy of a “favorites” role in the post-season.

But it wasn’t only those teams. In fact, it’s weird to me that the Gamecock team of two or three years ago didn’t come close to sniffing a national title. Talents like Justin Smoak, Reese Havens, James Darnell, Andrew Crisp and DeAngelo Mack went through never lifted the trophy skyward. But that’s what we’ve come to in college baseball.

 

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- SMELLEY DECISION-MAKING

You want cruel irony? Take the case of Chris Smelley. 

The former all-state high school quarterback and catcher decided to give up baseball to play football in college. His choice? South Carolina. But after going 9-6 in two years as the mostly-starting signal-caller for the Gamecocks, he’d figured he’d had enough of Steve Spurrier’s mind games. So he bolted Columbia and decided to transfer back to his hometown university – Alabama. Only now, he gave up football and decided to concentrate solely on baseball as a Tide-roller. This past spring he started 10 games and had 33 at-bats for Bama, hitting .152 along the way.

So what did his transfer of schools and sports mean? Well, had he stuck with football, he could’ve been a national champion for the Crimson Tide football team this past fall. Then again, had he had decided on pursuing baseball a bit sooner, he could’ve stayed in Columbia and now won a national championship on the diamond. 

And you think you’ve got rotten luck? 

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- BAYLER

As you guys probably have read already, South Carolina head coach Ray Tanner had dedicated this trip to Omaha to seven-year old Bayler Teal, who died of cancer during the first week of the CWS. His passing was felt by the entire team and Coach Tanner made mention of the young man during the post-game celebration when he was addressing the crowd on the p.a. A few minutes later in the post-game press conference, Tanner was asked about his thoughts on Bayler. Choked up, he responded with this:

“We battle. We compete. And a lot of times you put too much into it and we lose perspective. And our players do a great job of reaching out to people in our community and volunteer work and hospital visits and Bayler –  Bayler just came to us. We visited the hospital. Coach Holbrook had an experience in his family. And it just – it was one of those situations that this felt right. 

And he really became a part of our program. And he was always in our thoughts and prayers. We would get updates on how he was doing when we traveled.  His dad would stay in constant contact with Coach Holbrook. So he really was a part of who we are, and we thought about him so many times. 

And I’ve gotta believe right now he’s probably smiling right now and a happy camper looking down upon us.”

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- THE ADAMS FACTOR

UCLA coach John Savage has had some great mentors. Mike Gillespie, the recently deceased John Wooden and even the late Rod Dedeaux. But I thought one of the forgotten men in his coaching rise was former Bruin skipper Gary Adams. I don’t know if it was the perfect time to ask him, but I brought Adams name up to him in the final post-game press conference from Rosenblatt. 

“Gary is one of the best guys in college baseball. Gary was here for 30 years, established a very good program.  Means a lot that he’s back this weekend to enjoy this moment. I know he’s very proud. 

I know the former Bruins, all those players that played for him cherish the moments and times that they spent with Gary. And whenever you’re at a program for 30 years, you know, you make a major impact. And when I got the job at UCLA, Gary could not have been any better. I mean, the guy is so generous and professional, kind, giving – I mean, that’s the way to describe Gary Adams. So I have a ton of respect for Gary and what he did at UCLA and certainly always will. And I feel very humbled to be in the position that he was in.”

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- ME AND THE GAMECOCK GUY

Quick story here. 

As was my practice near the end of most games in Omaha, I went down to behind home plate near the end of the first game of the championship series to capture a few pictures. Sitting in the aisle at the netting, I was right next to an old South Carolina fan, who was obviously digging what was happening on the field with the Gamecocks on the way to a 1-0 lead in the title series. 

That’s when he noticed me and my media credential next to him, taking pictures.  Here’s how the subsequent conversation went:

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Carolina guy:

Are you a baseball writer?

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Me:

What makes you say that? Maybe I’m just a photographer.

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Carolina guy:

Your credential.

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Me:

Hmmm. Okay. 

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Carolina guy:

Let me ask you, how is it that we’ve got two teams from these piddly little towns that made it here?

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Me:

Huh? You mean South Carolina and who?

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Carolina guy:

Yeah! Us and Clemson. Why is it two teams from these piddly little towns can dominate college baseball?

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Me:

Well, I wouldn’t say Columbia is a piddly little town. It IS the state capital ya’ know? And both Carolina and Clemson are big schools. SEC and ACC and all.

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Carolina guy:

You from Los Angeles?

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Me:

(Wondering how the hell he suspected that) 

Not as far as you know.

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Carolina guy:

Then you tell me, how is it that we don’t get any respect?

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Me:

If you ask me, you get plenty of respect. Hell, you guys are one of ten best programs of the last 10 years.

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Carolina guy:

Then how come none of you writers are giving us a chance to win this?

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Me:

C’mon, you’re now 27 outs away from a national title. Who’s not giving you a chance?

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Carolina guy:

Nobody EVER gives us a chance. We’re just a team from this piddly little town and the media hates us.

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At that point I realized I wasn’t going to make up any ground here with this guy, so I started acting like I was snapping pictures at breakneck speed. I appreciate passionate fans, but this was getting near the unreasonable side of things. At about that time, the p.a. played Chubby Checker’s “Do the Twist” for the in-between innings entertainment and I don’t want to to even begin try to describe the way the old codger was dancing to the song. That really made me feel better. 

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- READY FOR TACKLING DUMMIES.

Right before the final game, I was on my way down to the field level and was stopped by one of the policemen that was manning the ballgirls’ gate behind home plate. I was about to pass him on the way to the field and stopped for a second and decided to tell him, “Ya’ know, I keep waiting for the time during this series where another one of those idiots jumps out onto the field from general admission and you get to lay a form tackle on him.”

He laughed for a second and shot back with, “Well, if it’s gonna happen, tonight’s the night for it.”

And of course, we saw what ended up happening… it wasn’t just one idiot, it was two. Unfortunately, neither of them got very much of a brutal tackle put on them. The girl was flung down by her backpack and the dude was on the ground before anyone could bother to notice. 

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- THE BIRTHDAY CHICK 

During the fireworks show at the end of the evening, I talked briefly with the Omaha police officer that escorted the girl that ran onto the field off the field. I asked him what her deal was – why she ran onto the field. He said, “She told me when I started walking her off the field, ‘Today’s my 21st birthday!’ and I told her, ‘Congratulations, you’re going to spend your 21st birthday in jail.’”

 

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- AWKWARD MOMENT 1

Had a totally unavoidable/strange moment after the final game was over. After the trumpeter played “Take me out to the Ballgame” one last time and the celebration was over, it was time for me to head for the post-game press conference. And from the field, the quickest way to the interview room is to pass through the 1st base dugout and up the stairwell below the stands, the same stairs the players take to the interview room. 

As I started up the stairs, UCLA coach John Savage was mid-way up the stairwell and putting the last few things of his into his Easton duffle bag. As I got close to him he blurted out, “Hey Eric.” to me. Not really sure what to say to a coach that just lost the national championship game, I quickly snapped back with the only thing that was on my mind, “Coach… great freakin’ season man.”

Luckily my brain wasn’t stuck in “Man, that game sucked for you guys!” or “So you’re now 0-and-1 in national titles, coach.” mode. 

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- AWKWARD MOMENT 2

After UCLA had eliminated TCU on Saturday the 26th, I was out on the field joining the hundreds of photographers trying to shamefully capture images of the Horned Frogs in their despair (I hate when photographers do that… yet, here I am). While walking in front of the TCU dugout, I walked right next to TCU’s baseball Sports Information Director Brandie Davidson, who was obviously upset over the Frogs having ended their magical season. So, again, I happened upon somebody in an unavoidable situation where you have no idea what to say. 

I quickly thought, “Okay Eric, don’t say something like ‘hey good season Brandie.’ or ‘Sorry you guys lost, Brandie.’ or anything stupid like that.” What ended up happening was that I ended up telling her, “I still love you.”… oh great Eric. That was even stupider than anything you thought about.

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- I WIN A MEDAL.

During one of the lengthy UCLA games during the CWS, my bud Mark Etheridge of SEBaseball.com turned to me and said, “Eric, you deserve a medal for putting up with these long west coast games you go to all year long.”

And he does have a point. But I will say this, it never seems as bad during the regular season. Of course, that may also be because they tend to exaggerate things in the post season in an attempt to get teams further out of their comfort zone. 

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- AN OPEN LETTER TO JAMESON TAILLON.

Dear Jameson,

I know you were the top high school pitcher in the country this past season and just got drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates with the 2nd overall pick of the draft and everything. Congrats on that. I also know you are close to signing a multi-million dollar deal and going to become one of those instant-billionaires and all. Sure must be exciting. 

But I’ve got three names for you: Gerrit Cole, Matt Purke and Stephen Strasburg.

And I’ve got three more words for you too: College. World. Series. 

The first two guys were former 1st round draft picks that found our sport of college baseball way too valuable to pass up. And because of that, they’re lives are much more enriched because of it. Both are at great baseball programs. Both are at great academic institutions. And best of all, both have made it to the College World Series, one of the grand stages of the sport. 

If you decide to follow their exemplary lead, you too could attain all those things and who knows, maybe even a national title. How bitchin’ will that be? Being the winning pitcher in the last game of the season on Omaha’s main stage and lifting Wayne Graham up on your shoulders one last time before he retires? Doesn’t that beat riding busses for three years in podunk mining towns with a bunch of guys that would rather you pitch really crappy so they can have your spot on the roster? 

Oh, that third guy I mentioned up there? Strasburg. You probably know his story, going from being a big man on campus at San Diego State to being the most popular man in D.C., making his millions after all.

One last thing… let me take a page from the Mark Marquess tools of recruiting. Jameson, would you rather meet your future wife at an institution of high acclaim like Rice University? Or some minor league skank in a roadside bar in Ampipe, Pennsylvania?

Do yourself a favor. Do college baseball a favor. Don’t sign.

Sincerely,

Right minded people everywhere.

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- THE HOME RUN DERBY.

So, it appears as if CBS felt so inclined to televise the first ever college home run derby that was held at Rosenblatt Stadium last week. East Tennessee State’s Paul Hoilman won it with a dazzling display that looked somewhat like Mark McGwire – oops, sorry big man, didn’t mean to equate you with a steroid freak – given his big dimensions and his reddish hair. 

The odd thing was, CBS College Sports also decided to air a half-hour Home Run Derby “preview” show as well, featuring host Adam Zucker and the “Big Hurt” Frank Thomas. Which made me wonder, was that really necessary? And secondly, if they had the money for this, couldn’t they have had the money to televise a Regional? Just one? 

 

The seven participants in the derby were Hoilman, Jordan Ribera of Fresno State, Matt Skole of Georgia Tech, Matt Gaudet of LSU, Ricky Oropesa of USC, Dan Paolini of Siena and Matt Leeds of College of Charleston.

The good part about the competition? Of the seven competitors, six of them are slated to return to the college ranks next season. Hoilman himself was a junior this past season, but was curiously drafted way down in the 49th round. So his return for a senior season seems likely. 

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- STEINBRENNER.

Okay, so one of the most well-known team owners in baseball died. I get that. All thoughts and best wishes to his grieving family and the Yankee organization, of course. 

But I’ve got a question for you: Why do we have to glorify everyone in death? I remember when Richard Nixon died, all they talked about was that he was the man that re-opened trade with China. Forget thefact that the man was a criminal and perpetrated further involvement in the Vietnam War. Just like when King George left this mortal coil, I saw headlines like “Steinbrenner remembered as benevolent boss” and “Much loved Yankee boss will be missed.”

I’m sorry, but I remember him as being a two-sided figure. One of those being that he was one of the biggest pricks in sports. This is the dude that once publicly referred to College World Series hero Dave Winfield as the mocking nickname “Mr. May” and disparaged people left and right in his organization. Sure, he did some benevolent things – such as personally putting lights up at Grambling’s practice facilities a few years ago – but overall, he ruled with an iron fist and always made hasty decisions that ruined many people’s lives. 

In some of the tributes splashed all over ESPN the last few days I saw one interview from 2003 in which he said “loyalty and devotion” were the most important things in life. I’m sorry, but this jerk had neither of these characteristics in his early career. Don’t you remember when the blackard went out and fired uber-successful Billy Martin time and time again in his managerial stint? The record shows that this dude officially had 22 managers in 24 years.

This corporate bully should be remembered for a number of things, but as anything BUT a kind-hearted, sweet soul. Good riddance little Georgie. 

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- AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.

Not that I totally agree with the dude’s personal vendetta here or anything, but for a different perspective on the passing of George Steinbrenner, here’s former Red Sox pitcher Bill “Spaceman” Lee:

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- LOU.

During this past College World Series, I got the chance to finally officially meet one of the pillars in the college baseball writing community in Collegiate Baseball’s Lou Pavlovich. Great guy. Really nice. And of course, he’s been doing this college baseball writing thing much, much longer than any of us greenhorns in the business. He’s seen everything in his tenure behind the lens and as a publisher, from the USC dynasty of the 60s and 70s to the Grand Illusion to the Gary Burnham foul ball incident to the rise of Oregon State.

During the series, Lou stays in the photo wells almost the entire time and I’ve never seen him in the press box. So he’s like myself, hates the quiet sterility of the press box, especially when you can take the game in up close and personal. (Albeit, when the temperatures get above 95, I question that thinking.) 

Oh, and I hate to be a prima donna here, but the coolest thing of all… he told me he’s a big fan of my coverage and style of writing. That’s a huge compliment coming from the master. (Blush. Blush.)

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DAMN THAT TOMMY JOHN.

I know the season just ended and all, but already, the news out of Baton Rouge ain’t so great. Two key pitchers from the 2010 squad are already expected to miss the 2011 season as both Joey Bourgeois and Chris Matulis will apparently be having Tommy John surgery this off-season and will miss all of next spring. 

Both pitchers were huge keys to the early season success of the Tigers’ 32-8 start. Bourgeois was a Sunday starter early in the SEC slate posting 4-1/6.68 numbers on 12 starts. Matulis was also a key figure in the conference chase, posting 5-3/5/33 marks and making eight starts along the way. 

But of course, if any team can withstand this kind of attrition, it’s the Tigers. Already, two huge arms that were high draftees have been mentioned to be coming to campus as 6th round pick Kevin Gausman and 19th round pick Ryan Eades both have indicated serious consideration to coming to campus and skipping the pros. Good thing. I mean really… would these dudes rather be heroes on the Baton Rouge campus or riding rickety busses in podunk towns full of people that would rather beat them up than raise them up? C’mon. 

 

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OKAY, OKAY, HERE’S MY “EIGHT FOR OMAHA 2011″

As I’ve mentioned here before millions of times, if you see your favorite team listed among the early projections for the “Field of Eight” that come out right after the just-completed CWS, then you’re almost assured that they won’t be there. Every year, myself and plenty of other college baseball writers try our hand at picking the teams that we’ll see in Omaha 350+ days ahead of time – and every time we are all nearly completely wrong. For instance, in my original prognostication from last year, I only got two correct: UCLA and Clemson. I also had Arizona State, Florida and Florida State under my “Six to watch” section too.

Remember who I didn’t choose last year? Everybody and their brother had LSU and Texas pegged to return to Omaha in 2010. (In fact, where ARE all those Emailers that cried bloody murder for my not putting them in there?). And look at what happened. I mean, who could’ve predicted a 7.32 ERA for Anthony Ranaudo anyway? 

So with many, many asterisks, here are my drop-dead, lead pipe cinch, bank-on-it, “Eight for Omaha 2011″ picks that I am never wrong about:

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- Cal State Fullerton

- TCU

- Florida

- Arkansas

- UCLA

- Stanford 

- Wichita State

- UConn

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There. Done. Fini.

You might notice that most of these teams had really solid freshman and sophomore pitching staffs. To the surprise of no one, that’s why the first six listed are pretty self-explanatory. As for the last two? Well, normally you’ve gotta include a shocker or two (oops, no pun intended… well, yeah, it’s sorta intended). I mean, keep in mind people, only three of the eight national seeds made it to Omaha this season. And two of those were the first two teams eliminated – Arizona State and Florida.  

Oh, and my “Six to Watch”? Here you go:

- Texas A&M

- Oregon 

- Texas

- Clemson

- St. John’s 

- … and the remainder of the SEC

There, that’ll cover my ass for next year.

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Okay, time to go. More later.

G’night.