Comments on: Top Eight Nationals

By: Scott in Seattle

Scott in Seattle — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 15:05:53 +0000

Great points, Jim. I agree that the Longhorns should be the most competitive team in this year's tournament. Augie better get a fire lit over there though after their miserable Big 12 tournament. It is not easy to turn it back on once the team decides to take time off.

By: Dave

Dave — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 22:18:18 +0000

Mississippi better not look past St. John's! (In fact, it's been reported that they'll start Pomeranz against the Red Storm and rely on Aaron Barrett to face UVA.)
It's quite possible that Ole Miss will be two and out.

By: Jim Fletcher

Jim Fletcher — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 18:20:15 +0000

I tend to agree with Scott in Seattle. I believe that Virginia may get beat by Mississippi in their regional tournament. If the Rebels pitch Pomeranz in their second game and beat Virginia head-to-head, then Virginia would have defeat Mississippi two consecutive times thereafter in order to advance. I'm not a betting man, but I'd be more inclined to put money on Mississippi advancing rather than Virginia, especially considering that SEC teams tend to do very well in the postseason, while ACC teams seem to perform more poorly than expected during the month of June. I hope that much of the country gets a chance to see the Longhorns on television; they have one of the best college pitching staffs in recent memory (perhaps since Rice in 2003). Hook 'em Horns! Jim Fletcher, 1997 UT-Austin alumnus

By: Jim Fletcher

Jim Fletcher — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 18:12:24 +0000

In response to some of the comments here, I'd like to clarify that I believe a program's reputation is one factor (not the most important factor) in making these types of decisions. Yes, Coastal Carolina doesn't evoke fear based on the words listed on their jerseys. I'm not saying that reputation is a factor that supersedes everything else. Nonetheless, as of today, it's tough for me to picture Coastal Carolina, which has probably never made a College World Series appearance, winning it all this season. I won't be able to join David in Omaha this season. However, I'll be watching every game that I can from home. It's going to be fun — may the best team win. Hook 'em Horns! Jim Fletcher, 1997 UT-Austin alumnus

By: Dave

Dave — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 17:47:18 +0000

Scott take another look at UVA's poll rankings:
Collegiate Baseball – 2
Baseball America – 1
NCBWA – 1
USA Today – -2 (with 12 first-place votes, only 1 fewer than ASU)
Rivals.com – 2
So, I don't think Aaron is out of the mainstream in questioning the #5 seeding.

By: David S

David S — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 08:23:19 +0000

Jim, I appreciate your enthusiasm for the Horns; they certainly have an intimidating staff. But what you're suggesting is that it doesn't matter what a team has done on the field this year–it's more about reputation. The committee seems to have bought that to some extent, since they awarded the #2 seed to a team that lost its last 3 games and dissed a team that's consistently won and been considered in the top 3 all season. But in UVA's case, the committee went further. Applying your theory, when was the last time Coastal Carolina (a team UVA beat in a weekday game in late April) won a national title? And as for history, don't forget that UVA was one blown call from playing LSU for a spot in last year's CWS final. When all's said and done, though, I guess we'll just see how things play out on the field. Good luck. Hope to see you in Omaha.

By: Scott in Seattle

Scott in Seattle — Mon, 31 May 2010 23:09:49 +0000

Just to clarify, my take is based on their (and Florida should be included in this prediction) pedestrian record against ranked oppoenents.

By: Scott in Seattle

Scott in Seattle — Mon, 31 May 2010 23:05:45 +0000

Aaron, it may be time to admit that you rank Virginia higher than virtually anyone else in the nation. This should be a great postseason, but my take is that VA won't make the CWS.

By: Otis

Otis — Mon, 31 May 2010 22:36:20 +0000

Yes, Jim, I'm sure that's exactly why a team with "Coastal Carolina" from the powerhouse Big South conference jumped Virginia in the seedings.
Sheesh.

By: Jim Fletcher

Jim Fletcher — Mon, 31 May 2010 22:11:14 +0000

Aaron: In discussing this topic, I'm reminded of the film Catch Me If You Can starring Leo Dicaprio. In the movie, Leo's father asks him "Do you know why the Yankees always seem to win?" Then Leo replies, "Yeah, because they have Mickey Mantle." Then his father says, "No, it's because the other teams can't stop staring at those pinstripes." I guess that sort of sums up what I'm saying. As of today, Texas and Virginia both have their "Mickey Mantles." However, unlike Texas, Virginia does not yet possess any "pinstripe" effect over its opponents. Hook 'em Horns! Jim Fletcher, 1997 UT-Austin alumnus

By: Jim Fletcher

Jim Fletcher — Mon, 31 May 2010 21:42:12 +0000

Aaron: BEFORE Oregon State and Fresno State won their recent national titles, it would have been tough for myself and others to imagine them winning it all. Now that they've broken through and won national titles, it's much easier to envision them winning it again once they get there. I guess my point is that aside from overall records, conference titles, and RPI rankings, another factor that plays into decisions of the committee involves REPUTATIONS of the respective programs (not teams). Texas is widely known as a perennial championship contender in baseball. They exceeded my expectations last season by getting within one win of another national title. Since Texas has made it to the College World Series so many times, it's easy for people to imagine them playing well there. Virginia, on the other hand, is a different story for myself and others. If we're talking lacrosse, then having "Virginia" on their jerseys means a lot. In baseball, however, the Cavaliers don't intimidate me until they prove they belong by winning at least one national title. Heck, North Carolina made it to Omaha each of the last four seasons, and I don't consider them an elite college baseball program (I know you'll disagree). As far as I'm concerned, they need to have sustained success over the period of decades for that to happen. No hard feelings, man. I'm just expressing my opinion in a fairly diplomatic manner. Hook 'em Horns! Jim Fletcher, 1997 UT-Austin alumnus

By: Aaron Fitt

Aaron Fitt — Mon, 31 May 2010 20:44:39 +0000

Hey Jim — did people picture “Fresno State” or “Oregon State” winning titles? Maybe not — but they won titles. Are you telling me Virginia, one of the most talented, experienced, accomplished teams in the nation, should be disregarded because it has never won before? That just doesn’t make any sense.

By: Jim Fletcher

Jim Fletcher — Mon, 31 May 2010 20:20:29 +0000

People have a tough time picturing a team with "Virginia" on their jerseys winning a national championship in baseball. Until the Cavaliers (or any number of other ACC programs) break through and win a title, that will remain the case. On the other hand, I think many teams are intimidated when they see Texas and Augie Garrido in the other dugout, especially if they understand Texas has been national champs six times and national runners-up six times. Hook 'em Horns! Jim Fletcher, 1997 UT-Austin alumnus

By: David

David — Mon, 31 May 2010 17:23:47 +0000

If Va had gone 0-3 in the ACC tourney I could possibly understand it. But they were 2-1 against BC, Miami and FSU. Compared to UT's going 0-3 and bening seeded #2, I am surprised.