Congratulations to the LSU Tigers on their National Championship.
Things have evolved since that day in March when we saw the LSU Tigers play. For one thing, Coach Paul Mainieri discovered Chad Jones, pictured below playing right field in front of five National Championship banners, could pitch. He was used last night to great effect. Freshman Mikie Mahtook, a pinch runner in that Illinois game, is now the starting center fielder. Ryan Schimpf, playing second base, was moved to left field and first base depending on the pitcher. D J LeMahieu, who should have been CWS MVP over Jared Mitchell, was playing SS then but 2B now. Jared Mitchell, CWS MVP and first round pick of the White Sox, didn't play that day in March. I don't think he was playing every day yet. Coleman was still the closer then but Matty Ott also pitched two scoreless innings in relief. Ott moved into the closer role and Coleman went on to be SEC Pitcher of the Year and All-America in the starting rotation. He was on the mound last night for the 8th and 9th inning. He gave up five solo home runs in the Monday night game but didn't give up any runs in the National Championship game last night. He struck out the side in the 9th. Good coaches learn about their teams constantly and I think they learn more from their mistakes and losses than they do from their wins. Illinois won that day. Lessons learned. Great job, coach.
Right fielder Chad Jones ... and the banners
And a tip of the cap to the Texas Longhorns, who played their asses off. They were one out from a Game One win, which would have probably altered this outcome. It had to be a devastating loss. Instead of folding up, they fought back yesterday and forced last night's deciding game. The Horns didn't win but they never stopped battling. Someone had to lose.
About today's QOTD and BOTD: LSU and Texas are two of the proudest athletic programs in the country with two of the most rabid fan bases. There's been a lot of trash talk back and forth between the two sides this week and they've also been beating up their own coaches and players when things didn't work out. Most of it was good fun but some of it, on both sides, was like the QOTD and the BOTD. Too bad.
77 days until football season ...
Quote of the Day
Then at the press conference he says how proud he is to finish 2nd. What a loser! How did this guy ever win 5 National titles with that attitude? If the coach doesnt care then the players wont either and thats what we watched tonight.
bob, Comment in the Austin Statesman
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "Texas Longhorn fans, despite their tremendous education being from that illustrious school, say some stupid things. For instance, when stacking up Texas and LSU, they talk all day long about how their pitching is better. The best, they say. They won't shut up about it. And then they trot out the great pitching beats great hitting, smirk and smugly expect us to say yessah you Texas boys sho know everything."
Congrats to the Tigers, what a great season. The adapting that you point out is some great work, since it obviously succeeded.
After what those teams went through, during the season and in the playoffs, any fan that can't accept 2nd with a little grace is the real loser.
It was a great run, Dave. Would not be surprised in the least to see those two teams in the finals again next year. The Horns return most of their terrific pitching staff and the Tigers are as deep as the ocean at the plate and in the field. They'll need to find at least one more quality starter, though. Maybe Chad Jones if he doesn't go super high in the NFL draft.
I've learned not to read reader comments in the Statesman. That's not really true... I haven't learned, and I get upset every time I do. Negative Know-it-alls.
That series was fun to watch, and even more fun knowing someone passionate about the other team. Congratulations to the Tigers! :)
Thanks, Kim. To be certain, most LSU fans and Texas fans are passionate about their team but also gracious in victory or defeat. They'll tip their cap and shake your hand, win or lose. It was a great series. That first game was as great as baseball can be.