To Praise But Not Bury

I was really hoping this particular post would have been delayed for another week or so. But Tar Heel baseball, alas, has ended its season in Omaha just a few steps short of its goal. The Heels lost yesterday to Arizona State for the second time in the College World Series and must wait till next year.

It has been  a great 4 year run for Mike Fox’s teams. Carolina made four consecutive trips to the College World Series which exactly doubled the program’s number of trips. Two of those trips saw the Heels come agonizingly close to winning, but to fall short. This year, even Coach Williams could not cheer them to victory. I know there will be some criticism about not winning it all in 4 attempts and thus making these guys failures. I would beg to differ. Sure, the goal is to win a championship but I believe this 4 year run has itself been a great and noteworthy accomplishment. So, hats off to  the players and coaches and support personnel,  both this year and the three preceding years.

We can look forward to watching high draft choices Alex White and Dustin Ackley move up the ladder toward the majors. And there is Daniel  Bard and Andrew Miller who are already there. And there will be more.

Next year will bring more heroics to Boshamer Stadium. There will be new players, some players  that will participate in an athletic program that Tar Heel fans can celebrate. Don’t forget, football will be here soon!

Boshamer Stadium, Home of the Tar Heels