Wednesday April 08, 2009

Stop the Streak

Stop the Streak
Back when Al Davis was actually living and not a wax figure that the Oakland Raiders bring out for games and the NFL draft, he coined the phrase “Just Win Baby!”

As fans we analyze everything. We want to know why we won or why we lost. We want to know what the future looks like and how many we are going to win in the future. We want to break down free throw percentage, slugging percentage and third down conversion percentage.

In the end, the only thing that matters is winning percentage.

For Clemson baseball fans the numbers don’t lie, so I don’t blame fans for the frustration. I don’t like getting the e-mails or reading the post about Jack Leggett or the Clemson baseball program. I don’t agree with everything the angry fan is saying this morning, but I understand the frustration.

Clemson is not used to this. Tiger baseball fans are having a hard time watching this.

The last two years Clemson is 2-21 against South Carolina, Georgia, North Carolina, Florida State and Miami.

South Carolina has beaten the Tigers six times in a row and nine of the last ten games.

This is not acceptable. Not for Clemson baseball.

The other trend that has to stop is the late inning collapses. So far this season the Tigers have been leading or tied in the ninth inning in games with South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida State and Furman but found different ways to lose.

Last night was a lot like last week’s home loss to Georgia. A lead-off single got things rolling. The Dawgs and Gamecocks tried to sacrifice bunt but Tiger relievers could not get the ball over the plate and walked the bunters. Both teams tried to give the Tigers an out but Clemson could not take it. If they were able to execute, maybe the games go into extra innings but the games were practically over when Tiger pitches walked the bunters.

I don’t think anyone knows all of the reasons for the recent decline in Clemson baseball but there is a decline. The facts are the facts.

When did the decline start? Was it when Tim Corbin left to take over at Vanderbilt?

Was it when South Carolina beat Clemson twice in Omaha?

Was it when Ray Tanner started getting most of the in-state talent to come to Columbia?

What are the causes of the decline? Is it recruiting?

Is it coaching?

Is it just a cycle where the Major League Baseball draft took a couple of the key figures in recent recruiting classes?

Is it just youth and the past two teams had to play so many young players?

How serious are the problems? Are they temporary? Can they be fixed? Will they be fixed?

Seems like a lot of questions and no one knows all of the answers. However one answer can come tonight. Just win baby!

Clemson fans are not unlike most fans of most schools. They want to win championships but understand most of the time if they don’t. They want to win every year but understand an occasional rebuilding year.

What Clemson fans will not put up with is losing to the arch rival. The Tigers have lost nine of the last ten to South Carolina and that doesn’t sit too well with the shareholders.

If Jack Leggett does not want to hear the negative comments or if those that defend the program don’t want to have to defend it anymore then just win tonight.

Tonight’s game is not the biggest game ever and would not cure all ills but a journey of a thousand miles begins with a first step.

Those that defend the current state of the program will point out that they went to the College World Series three years ago and a super regional two years ago. They will point out that last year was the only time they have missed the NCAA tournament under Leggett. They will point out that the Tigers are currently leading the Atlantic Division of the ACC.

The squeaky wheel today points out that the program has declined over the last six years where Clemson has only won 50 games only once. They will point to the record the last two years and the fact that Clemson is not ranked but North Carolina, Georgia Tech, Miami and Virginia are. The detractors say nine of ten losses to South Carolina and the 2-21 record against South Carolina, Georgia, North Carolina, Florida State and Miami over the past two years is a sign.

There are two sides to the fan base at this point and I am not sure what side has what percentages at this point. There are not enough precincts reporting to declare a winner in that race.

What I do know is this has to stop and stop now. Clemson baseball has too much tradition and too much pride for this to continue. No more ninth inning collapses. No more losing to the rivals. Now is the time to reverse the trends. Now is the time to reverse those trends. I care less about how we got in this haunted house and am more concerned about getting out of it.

Clemson baseball needs to be Clemson baseball again. Just win baby!

The Brad Hughes All-State Insurance Agency

Prayer List
We have started a prayer list on the blog. Here are the guidelines:
*If you are offended by prayer or prayer lists then I apologize in advance. The blog is free and the prayer list will be on the bottom of the page so you don’t have to read it.
*If you would like to add someone to the list please e-mail me at mickeyplyler@hotmail.com
*If you want the reason for the prayer to be added to the name please specify in your e-mails.
*Please let me know when it is appropriate to take the person off of the prayer list

Those who need our prayers include:
Finn Brookover, Mrs. Kathleen Bowers, Larry in Naples, FL, RTG-Pawsitive Tiger, Mary-Louise Pawlowski (John's daughter), Sandy Wright, Jo Ann Bachman, Frank Taylor, Kenneth Bryant, Pruitt Martin, Got igers and his family, David Rowland, Leonard Gillespie and his family, Jim S, Christine Hepfer, Daniel Rosborough, Amy Murphey, Jack Huffman, Nancy Winkler, Dr. Nancy Strom Morgan, Edward Putman, John Reeve, Eileen Woodrum, Ethel Southard, Anna Rawl, Vinnie Brock, Jean-Pierre Bailey, Kaitlyn L, Fariba Kamalabadi, Jamaloddin Khanjani, Afif Naemi, Saeid Rezaie, Mahvash Sabet, Behrouz Tavakkoli, Vahid Tizfahm,Vincent Lee, Martha Bryant Carr.