New Beginning

by Mickey Plyler - Radio Host - Wed Feb 27 13:16:28 GMT-04:00 2013

New Beginning

Tracey Chapman sings a song called "New Beginning" where she says, "The whole world's broke and it ain't worth fixing. Its time to start all over, make a new beginning. There's too much pain, too much suffering. Let's resolve to start all over and make a new beginning."

She later adds, "You see we need to change it now, this world has too few happy endings. We can resolve to start all over make a new beginning."

Chapman says, "We can break the cycle. We can break the chain. The notion that we can do better. Change our lives and paths. Create a new world and start all over."

I know many Clemson fans that feel our rivalry with South Carolina is broke. In my formative years of becoming a Clemson fan I grew up in suburb of Columbia. I grew up with a dad that despised the University of South Carolina and everything it stood for. In my house we were taught to dislike their colors, their mascot, their cheers and their fight song. Today my sister teaches her kids the same thing. One of my Clemson friends says, "We had good raisin'!"

Since we lived close to USC, my dad took us to Clemson-South Carolina football games, basketball games and baseball games. I was easy living 20 minutes from their campus at that time because we dominated the rivalry in all three major sports.

But many would say the rivalry is broke. The Gamecocks have won four in a row in football and have had their best teams in school history. Neither basketball team is ranked in the top 140 of the latest RPI, so I am not sure many fans put a lot into that sport at this point. However, South Carolina has played for the national title three straight years in baseball and have had the best of Clemson in Omaha over the last ten years.

I get the feeling that this weekend's baseball series may represent a chance at a new beginning for the baseball aspect of the rivalry though.

Clemson fans are hoping that Ray Tanner's climb out of the dugout and into the athletic director's chair gives the Tigers a chance to get the rivalry fixed. Of course new Gamecock head baseball coach Chad Holbrook is hoping to send a completely different message. He wants the message to be that nothing has changed.

This weekend Jack LeggettJack Leggett
Baseball Head Coach
View Full Profile will not have to match moves against Tanner but more importantly the players underneath the rally hats have changed. Both teams have recruited very well but it appears to my eyes that Clemson has increased its talent level drastically.

So for the first time in a couple of years the Tigers will not face Michael Roth on a Friday night. They will not have to try to come from behind and beat Matt Price late in a game. They won't have to find a way to get Christian Walker out.

Last year some felt the Tigers had a chance since Jackie Bradley, Jr and Scott Wingo were not around either but South Carolina was still the better team. This year the hope is that Clemson will see the same team that Chad Holbrook says was outplayed by Liberty in the season opening series.

Its hard to admit but South Carolina has had better players in recent years. Heading into this series I am not sure that is still the case. In my opinion we still have too many questions on both sides of the rivalry. There are so many young players who don't have a lot of experience in the rivalry. Therefore, I am not sure who the better team is heading into the series.

Is Jordan Montgomery or Daniel GossettDaniel Gossett
So. RH Pitcher
#23 6-0, 160
Lyman, SC
View Full Profile more ready to become the shutdown guy on Friday night? Is Max Schrock going to be the newcomer that makes the biggest mark in the series or will is be Steven DuggarSteven Duggar
Fr. Outfielder
#9 6-1, 185
Moore, SC
View Full Profile ? Will the speed of Tanner English be the difference or will it be Maleeke GibsonMaleeke Gibson
Fr. Outfielder
#1 5-9, 165
Sumter,
View Full Profile ? Both bullpens appear to have depth but which one will be able to shutdown potential rallies late in games?

My guess is that Clemson has improved but have the Tigers improved enough to take control of the rivalry and win the series?

Holbrook hopes not but the Tigers are hoping for a new beginning.

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