Bigger and Better


by - Radio Host -

Bigger and Better

What a difference a year makes for Clemson baseball.

If Clemson baseball would have hosted a home regional as the nation's number seven national seed and lost badly twice to Oklahoma State when Jack Leggett was the coach the fan base would have been irate. Instead, Clemson fans today have their chests out a little further.

It's all a matter of perspective isn't it?

Usually, the new guy gets a honeymoon, but Monte Lee deserves that and more. The energy inside and around the program feels so refreshing compared to the last few seasons. We got a glimpse of the future this year, but it was only a glimpse.

Lee and his staff have been relentless on the recruiting trail. He has made the statement more than once that we will win this state in recruiting. The talent level is about to get really good, really fast.

This team had some glaring issues. The staff was depleted. The bullpen had little depth. The defense was downright embarrassing, but somehow, someway this staff found a way to win 44 games and an ACC title.

Yes, we were disappointed to lose a home regional, but let's be honest, Oklahoma State was the better team. Clemson was not elite this season, but that is changing too.

What Lee and his staff did this year was advance the program, and they did it a couple of years ahead of pace. He showed prospects what his program would be about. Last year he got a late start and was only able to tell them what he wanted to do at Clemson. This year, he was able to show them. His first team kept coming back time and time again. This first team was fun to watch, and prospects had to notice.

The energy was back in the stadium. The crowd Friday night was the largest I have ever seen in that stadium. Tickets were not to be found. Believe me, I heard from friends I forgot I even had. I heard from some people who hadn't called since the Notre Dame football game this season.

Even the ending feels different. Again if Leggett and his staff were still here, the fans would complain that this team choked and can't perform under pressure. They would complain that they fell short of the expectations of the nation's seventh seed in the NCAA tournament. Instead, many fans have bought ACC title t-shirts, and many have preached patience.

The honeymoon just got extended.

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