hifigator
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Posts: 6,387
|
Post by hifigator on Jun 30, 2010 11:57:01 GMT -5
Congrats to USCe. The Cocks got hot at the right time and taking 2 straight against a very talented UCLA team was quite an accomplishment.
I took my son out to the CWS -- the first trip out there for each of us. Obviously, I wish things had worked out differently as far as the games, but still it was an awesome trip and an awesome experience. For anyone considering such a trip in the future, I would highly recommend it.
There was a lot of talk about this being the end of the era because of the last year of storied Rosenblatt Stadium. I'm sure some things will change, but I doubt that the event as a whole will change too much. The new stadium will feature a lot of the newer amenities -- skyboxes etc... and I'm sure some will regret the loss of some of the history, but things must change. After a little sadness, I expect the event will be just as special as it has been through its history.
Congrats again to the Gamecocks and to the Bruins in their runner up finish.
Lastly, ESPN did a one hour show called "The Long Home Run," about the CWS and Rosenblatt Stadium in particular. I would highly recommend it. It was very well done and for those who might not be familiar with the history, it gives a great perspective. I burned in to DVD and then my son and I watched it on the plane on the way out there. It is an hour very well spent.
|
|
hoyarooter
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
Posts: 10,224
|
Post by hoyarooter on Jun 30, 2010 12:13:32 GMT -5
Props to South Carolina's pitching staff, I guess. 2 runs in 20 innings won't get it done. Also, errors are part of the game, but that error in the 8th last night really hurt. If not for that, the teams would likely be preparing for game 3 today. Hard to believe that this is the first men's national title of any kind won by South Carolina.
Still, it was a great season for UCLA, particularly considering that they were under .500 last season.
|
|
hifigator
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Posts: 6,387
|
Post by hifigator on Jun 30, 2010 13:00:04 GMT -5
Yeah, congrats on a great season rooter. Also, abstracting away from the attrition that invariably happens over the summer, at least on paper, Florida and UCLA would have to be among the favorites heading into next season.
USAToday put out a special edition paper for the CWS. It had detailed info on all 8 teams. Florida and UCLA stand out as the teams that lose the least. Now I know that UCLA had 11 draftees between players and signees, and that's certianly a big number. But for what it's worth, UCLA and Florida still look to return the most.
The special edition listed the starting position players and then 4 pitchers for each team, for a total of their "top" 13 players. Florida only had 1 senior in Matt den Dekker among those players. They also figure to lose closer Kevin Chapman who was taken in the 5th round. But that's it off that list. UCLA will definitely lose 3 players off their "top" 13 and almost certainly 4, but it could be 5 depending on whether a couple of guys sign or return.
All 6 of the other teams were certain to lose at least 5 players off their respective lists and most were either 6 or 7.
That is a big difference between losing 2 and 6.
Obviously it's a long way to next March, but both of our teams sure look to have a very strong base to build from for next season.
|
|