My thoughts on where the baseball team stands...
by BrianWalker'sElbow on Apr 23, 2009 11:00 AM EDT
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PrintIt is rare for me to offer an "opinion" column on the Rebel Baseball team, and this is for the best because of my disdain for Mike Bianco. However, the Rebels are on the verge of doing something that no Ole Miss fan could've imagined after the 1-2 start in Mobile, Alabama.
Does anyone else remember that dreadful series? The Rebels came in ranked #6 and flying high. They had a new pitcher named Aaron Barrett that the team's pitching coach said was "a for sure Friday night guy." Then, reality set in.
Barrett wasn't good. We all told ourselves, "That's ok. He's a JUCO transfer, and he'll need time to adjust." However, we had another JUCO guy named Chris Corrigan. Only one problem: Corrigan wasn't good. We then had the opportunity to see Philip Irwin pitch. He was good, but it still remained unknown if he could be an SEC starter. Then another fear struck, Scott Bittle was no longer Scott Bittle. He lost in the 10th. Just like 2007! OH CRAP. Not only that, one of the most annoying people in the world sat behind us: Sweats McJaguar.
We beat Central Arky twice in midweek, but we faltered against TCU. Barrett was shelled yet again. Actually, our entire pitching staff was shelled.
So, the Rebels sat at 3-4 and were falling like a rock in the rankings.
Doesn't that seem like a long time ago?
Now, the Rebels are 31-11. You do the math. That means that after starting so poorly, we've gone 28-7 since then. That's impressive, Mike.
While Lafferty thought that Barrett was once a "for sure" Friday nighter, Pomeranz complete game performance @ Florida solidified his Friday night status (it also showed he's good when he isn't getting dranked). Bittle, in fact, is no longer Bittle. The good news: He's a heckuva Sunday starter. Also, as it turns out, Irwin is a SEC caliber starter. If that rotation doesn't satisfy you, how does Jake Morgan's closing role sound? He's 3-1 with a 2.13 ERA and 39 Ks in 25.1 IP. He has a 1.42 ERA in SEC play.
The emergence of flamethrowing David Goforth is nice too. He hasn't allowed an earned run since Clinton was President. Maybe that's an exaggeration. He has a 1.12 ERA and has only allowed one earned run in SEC play.
We're hotter than a two dollar pistol. What're you gonna do, Mike Bianco?
It's no secret that I don't like Mike Bianco. I don't think we should worship someone who has not taken us to Omaha and has been here for ten years! Now's your chance, Mike. Prove me wrong! PLEASE!
A couple of weeks ago, I made a post about what the Rebels needed to do to host. So far, the Rebels have done exactly that. Guess what? Now Rivals and SEbaseball.com have us a projected hosts. Interesting.
This weekend, the Rebels have an opportunity to take the series from the #1 team in the country. Our RPI is currently 17, and it could make it in the 12ish range with a series victory. Two weeks ago, I was praying for a regional. Now, I'm thinking we can get a national seed. Think I'm crazy? Ok....
For the first time in a long time, we control our own destiny. I think two from the SEC will get a national seed. Well, we have two series against Georgia and Arkansas, two of the three teams ahead of us in the SEC. We also have two series against Auburn and State, which are really inferior opponents. If we go 4-6 against GA and ARKY and 5-6 against Auburn and State, that's a 20-10 SEC record. With two in the tourney, that's a top ten RPI and a national seed.
I get all giddy. Then, I have to remind myself of reality. Under Bianco, Ole Miss has never won the SEC regular season title. We've never won more than 18 conference games. It would by typical for a Bianco team to take 2 of 3 from GA and then lose the road series against Auburn.
Really, I would be content satisfied with 3-6 against GA and Arky and 4-6 against State and Auburn. That matches our best at 18-12 and would put us hosting a regional. But I ask myself, "What do we really want to be?" I refuse to be a "Well, it was a great series against Georgia. We lost two, but one of them was by one run. That's just baseball. HoTtY ToDDy! lol!" type of fans. If we are a program that is serious about making it to Omaha, we will take the series this weekend. If we are such a premier program, it's time to start winning these games.
Put up or shut up, Bianco.
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Your right!
If Bianco cannot beat Georgia he should be fired and we should hire somebody like John Cohen who can not do shit any better than bianco. Sure Bianco has not made to Omaha, but he sure has made my weekends in the spring fun, we have seen some great players wear the rebel uni’s over the years while bianco has been here, they have been fun to watch. Do i want Ole Miss to go to Omaha, hell yes, but lets face it, WHO CARES, name the eight teams who were in Omaha last year (without looking it up asshole). Name the last five champions in baseball. Some schools do not even realize they have a baseball team. State went to Omaha a few years ago with a shitty team, they played five good games in a row. I cannot remember how long ago they actually EARNED a hosted a regional. Ole Miss Baseball is FUN..ENJOY it-stop whining about the best baseball coach in ole miss history
Ooh, all eight in Omaha last year is tough. I can tell you that LSU and UGA were there. That the ‘Dogs lost to Fresno State. And that it’s a little unfair because I’m a closet Georgia fan.
The last five CWS Champs are:
08 – Fresno State
07 – Oregon State
06 – Oregon State
05 – Texas
04 – Cal State Fullerton
And if you didn’t know that Texas won it all in 2005, I question your Rebel baseball cred.
memo from RebelBaseball to BWE: Let's enjoy mediocrity.
I could, in fact, name the last five CWS champs. If I’m not mistaken, Rice won in 2003. I think Miami won in 2001. As far as the CWS in 2008: Miami, Fresno State, LSU, Georgia, and UNC. That’s five. However, I know one of the last three wasn’t Ole Miss. That’s what matters.
Enjoy your mediocrity.
by BrianWalker'sElbow on Apr 23, 2009 4:27 PM EDT reply actions
the final three
stanford, florida state, and rice. Valiant effort though. And i would not have been able to name the ’03 or ’01 champs.
lol
Good job to both, maybe we have different meanings of mediocrity. Winning 35 games a year is not mediocrity. oh and by the way i am enjoying the hell out of, will be there around 3pm tomorrow and will be the last one to leave the ballpark. There is nothing better than beautiful weather, beautiful ladies, cold beer, great baseball, a top 10 ballpark, hot grill, beautiful ladies (again) too bad you cannot enjoy as well brian, as john calipari says stop being a miserable
I don't understand...
It’s wrong for BWE to be ready to go to Omaha?
All those things you just named explain why we SHOULD be going to Omaha. Our school is the perfect baseball school. Why can’t we recruit Stephen Heads, Brian Pettways, or Seth Smiths anymore? Where are this year’s Mark Wright and Michael Guerrero?
If you’re satisfied with the decline in rebel baseball over the past four years, that makes one of us.
2005: Hosted a super regional; came a base hit away from a probable national championship.
2006: Hosted a super regional; Lost to Miami
2007: Hosted Regional; Traveled to ASU for super; Lost by a billion
2008: 3 seed in Miami
by Juco All-American on Apr 23, 2009 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions
wow we are in the dumps
I am ready too, do you really think it is Bianco’s fault, do you really think it that he is just not good enough to go to the WS? I do not, i think we have had shitty luck in post season or at lease unlucky seeding, I mean come on why the hell was TEXAS not a national seed, and on the top of that they come to Oxford of all places. I wish people would just enjoy what we have and stop looking for reasons to whine and bitch. Who would you like to see coaching our ball club? When would you fire Bianco? what would you do if we lost in a super regional and you were Pete Boone?
Response
“do you really think it that he is just not good enough to go to the WS?”
I do. Two former players I’ve spoken with agree.
by Juco All-American on Apr 23, 2009 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm out-headed home
You guys win, i agree he sucks ass, i did not realize two players agree with you guys. That must have been the ace in the hole you were waiting to use on me. I will be at the games this weekend pulling for the Georgia Bulldogs and maybe we can run MB off at the end of the year for choking another promising season to mediocrity. Go Dawgs ruf ruf
ps thanks for not bitching about my spelling or grammar
Don't be ridiculous
We want to win worse than you do. I’m just afraid that Bianco’s not the one to get us over the hump. Like BWE said IN HIS POST… Prove me wrong. I’m going to be cheering for Ole Miss louder than anyone around me this weekend.
by Juco All-American on Apr 23, 2009 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Response
I’m suprised RB. Ever since the blog moved it is becoming increasingly unreadable. What used to be a hilarious spin on Ole Miss sports, has turned into a bitching fest. We are performing the best we been in recent memory… yet they still… bitch, bitch, bitch about Mike Bianco.
Despite the decline as you call it.. we’ve still made the post season. Until… and until we cease to make it to post-season… Mike Bianco should stay right where he is.
They?
It isn’t all of us. I like Bianco. He built this program. The success we’re seeing is his handiwork. I don’t think Juco and BWE disagree with this sentiment, but I think they feel that he may have plateaued.
The sad thing is, they may be right.
Hotty Toddy. I’ll see y’all at Swayze.
Take a picture, trick.
by The Ghost of Jay Cutler on Apr 23, 2009 7:26 PM EDT up reply actions
bianco is catholic
thus he will call upon the Trinity in dire need….you cannot fire him
may the Lord be with you, and also with you
What do bama fans and maggots have in common? They can both live off a dead bear for years and years and years.
Great posting
I agree with all of you on numerous subjects. The thing is no one likes getting blue balled at all. The baseball team has been great at doing that. On the point of getting rid of Bianco, I think that is complete bull shit. There is only so much you can do as a coach. All in all, it comes down to the players in the end. Winning the CWS is very hard, almost as hard as winning the NCAA Basketball -ship. I don’t think it’s even considerable to talk about firing him, even though I tend to jokingly yell “Fire Bianco” in right field every time I see us give up a run. He has had major success over the years and recruiting is great. I think the best way to win in baseball is to be good in the season and to be great and streaky in the post-season. Our time will come. Of course, I might be delusional since I bleed Cubbie Blue!
come on guys...
The blog post I wrote was not a “fire bianco” post or anything of that nature though it quickly escalated into that. What many of you don’t know is Ole Miss Baseball made me fall in love with Ole Miss. Through the wonderful experiences, I developed a love for this school that I’ve never had for another, and I have Mike Bianco to thank for that. I am very thankful for what he’s done: 3 supers, SEC tourney title, etc… The point I make in my post is that it is time for him to take us to the next level and be dominant. I want to be Vandy 2007 dominant (I’m talking pre-losing to Michigan in own regional). I want us to put a choke hold on the SEC that Bianco’s teams have never shown.
I didn’t say he couldn’t do it like some of you suggest. I just said that it is time for him to do it. It’s time to dominate and go to Omaha.
by BrianWalker'sElbow on Apr 23, 2009 7:42 PM EDT reply actions
In their defense...
In BWE and Juco’s defense, this idea that Bianco may have reached his limits as our coach are not new. I share the idea with them (and have had this opinion for longer than both of them I think). We (they?) are not saying he is not a great coach. We (they?) are not saying he did not build our program. We (they) are saying he can not take us any further. I have been saying that since Miami (and I hope, like I do every year, that he proves me wrong this year). I agree baseball is great fun to go to. I agree that baseball is not a “money” sport and many people do not care about it after they leave Oxford, but I know that every year I have sat and watched the CWS with these guys. We (they?) want to win more than anything….In all sports. Its not bitching. If Houston Nutt goes 10-2 with no NC appearances over 10 years, but its “fun” to go to games, are we going to still want him around?
Where was Ole Miss baseball before Bianco? We certainly weren’t dominating LSU, Miami, Florida St back in the late 90’s, early 2000’s. I don’t give a shit if Bianco has "plateaud’ or not, if he’s had us in the position to make a run at the CWS on a regular basis, then we’re going to catch a break one of these years and win this damn thing.
I doubt the new expansion is going to hurt his recruiting. BTW, his winning % is better than Tom Swayze’s by 100 f’ing % points.
This is starting to sound like a damn Arkansas blog.
Just for the record....
The last time we played Florida state was in 1965 and we have a 2-8 overall record against FSU. Just know your stuff before you talk. My (our?) issue with Bianco is we, in 10 years, have done nothing more than “make a run”. I am tired of T-shirts and talk. I want to take a trip to Omaha and I can not believe that Bianco is the coach to take us there until he does actually in the dugout at Rosenblatt.
P.S.- Other than the teams you listed, no one dominated those teams in the late 90’s and early 2000’s.
“P.S.- Other than the teams you listed, no one dominated those teams in the late 90’s and early 2000’s.”
We are at in a position now where we can play with the top tier teams year in and year out. Before Bianco, we were good, but we weren’t making post season play every year. I’m amazed we’re having this argument right now. I understand y’alls argument, but the timing seems weird to me. Can’t we at least wait until we fuck up a CWS run this year, or blow the UGA series before we start bitching about how Bianco has maxed his potential.
Know my stuff before I talk? Are you serious? I’m naming a couple of elite programs during the era before and just after Bianco took over. We clearly weren’t anywhere near that level on a consistent basis. Whether we played those teams or not doesn’t really matter.
astaylo1 doesn't write for the cup.
Just to clear that up.
by Juco All-American on Apr 24, 2009 12:07 AM EDT up reply actions
Is this the fault of Kos?
“Ever since the blog moved it is becoming increasingly unreadable.”
- ARebel21
I’m surprised none of the Cupdaters commented on this little quotation. ARebel21 seems to fault SBNation with the downfall of RSC (yeah, I left the S in there… sue me Solo).
ARebel21, I know how your feeling. Although I would argue that what your noticing isn’t the fault of the RSC bloggers. It’s called “Baseball Season”, and yes, it sucks. If you aren’t in Oxford every weekend it isn’t fun. Because it’s a lousy sport to try and follow via the media. Hell, baseball is a lousy sport in general. Give me some thug that’s gonna try and sell me coke or hold me at gun point over some kid from Rankin with frosted tips and a puka shell necklace any day.
Brilliant last sentence
And Hunter is right. Juco and I were talking about this last night and came to conclude that we’re just slumping right now due to this being “not-football season.” This is common all over the blogosphere.
Take a picture, trick.
by The Ghost of Jay Cutler on Apr 24, 2009 6:57 PM EDT up reply actions
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