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Alabama Weekly June 7, 1999 -- Issue 7 -- Volume 2 HELLO BAMANATION CITIZENS!! Welcome to Alabama
Weekly, your weekly E-Mail Newsletter about Alabama Crimson Tide sports.
The purpose of this newsletter is to recap the week's events in
University of Alabama Sports. This issue of Alabama Weekly is being sent
to Tide fans worldwide, with dozens of new subscribers added weekly! Alabama Weekly Staff Reports If you're stuck at work during the College World Series this week or next and can't catch the games on TV, join us at TideFans.com for a Live Cybercast!!! You can catch the Tide @ CWS starting Friday via live cybercast on TideFans.com. BamaJim has agreed to keep cybercasting those play-by-plays as long the Tide keeps winning! Also, what a treat for all Tide fans this Thursday night. At 8pm, Grif Carden and Jim Morris will join forces to host a TideFans community chat at TideFans.com. BamaJim brought us the cybercast of the SuperRegional games on TideFans. Grif is one of the most knowledgeable and respected Tide fans around. This should be a wonderful opportunity for TideFans from "all-over" to catch up on how the baseball team is doing, who to watch, and what you can expect in the CWS. Next Stop: College World Series written by Grif Carden Alabama Weekly / TideFans.com Baseball Editor Editor's Note: Join Grif on TideFans.com chat Thursday night @ 8pm for a CWS preview. After pounding LSU 13-6 and 13-5 in the NCAA Super Regional, Alabama is bound for the College World Series for the fifth time in school history and third time in the past four years. Bama has a 9-8 record in the Series, including second place finishes in both 1983 and 1997. The other appearances were in 1950 and 1996. Alabama made a statement early against LSU; after Manny Torres set the Tigers down 1-2-3 in the top of the first inning, the first six Tide batters in the bottom of the first reached base and scored. This had also happened a week earlier in the first round of the Regional Tournament against Navy; however, against LSU Bama did even better in the first, plating one more run for a 7-0 lead and effectively ending LSU's chances for a win in the opening game. Torres, who sat out the SEC Tournament because of arm fatigue and was held to an 80 pitch limit in the Regional, appeared to be back in mid-season form. He pitched seven innings (116 pitches), allowing the hard-hitting Tigers just seven hits and six runs (including one unearned run), while striking out 10 and allowing only one base on balls. Jonathan Blankenship pitched two hitless innings, while striking out three, to finish the game. Bama bats were smoking in the first game, as the Tide pounded out 17 hits. Every starter had at least one hit, while Brent Boyd and G.W. Keller had three each and Erick Smallwood had two. Smallwood, Jeremy Brown, and Kelley Gulledge each hit home runs, while Keller, Boyd, and Sam Bozanich all had doubles. LSU's starting pitcher in the second game, Kurt Ainsworth, was a first-round draft choice in the Major League draft earlier in the week. He was also a very hot pitcher in the post-season, with a 3-0 record including two complete games and a miniscule ERA of 0.38. Alabama countered with Justin Smith, who had missed the last six weeks of the regular season because of an arm injury and who had seen only limited action in the SEC and Regional Tournaments. Unlike the first game, Bama wasn't able to get off to a huge start, but did score one run in the first on a leadoff single by Brown and a two-out RBI single by Brown. The Tide added two more in the second, one in the third, and two in the fourth to provide all the runs needed. Smith was very strong, going seven innings (throwing 115 pitches) while giving up only three runs and striking out eight while walking only two. Once again, Blankenship pitched the final two innings, giving up two runs on only one hit. While Bama bats were hot in the first game, they were even more sizzling in the second. Once again every starter had at least one hit, with Bozanich getting four, Boyd, Darren Wood, and Antonio Bostic getting three each, and Keller, Brown, and Gulledge each collecting two. Boyd and Andy Phillips each hit home runs (Phillips also was walked four times), Bostic a triple, Bozanich had two doubles, and Gulledge and Wood each had one. The 21 hits Bama had were the most allowed by LSU pitching since the 28 the Tide had against them in a 28-2 win in May, 1997. Phillips was not feeling well before the first game and was unable to take batting practice. Neverthelees, he had a first inning single to run his consecutive game hitting streak to 32 to tie Roberto Vaz's school record. He became quite sick during the night, and was unable to participate in any pregame warmups on Saturday. Two bags of IV fluids shortly before game time helped him regain his strength somewhat, and his fourth inning two-RBI home run over the right field wall tied the SEC consecutive game hitting streak record held by Todd Walker of the 1993 LSU team. Almost lost in the shuffle because of Phillips' hitting streak was that of Brown, who has now hit safely in 19 straight games, good for eighth best in Tide history and best ever for a Bama freshman. Brown and pitcher Lance Cormier had been named freshmen All-Americans earlier last week. Alabama hit .437 in the LSU series to raise the team batting average to .337 on the year. The slugging percentage was an awesome .713, as the team had 62 total bases in 87 at bats. Tide base runners were 10 for 10 in stolen bases during the two games. Keller, who has 41 for the year, had half of the 10. Alabama will face Oklahoma State in the first round of the CWS. Miami and Rice are also in the four-team bracket, while the other bracket includes Florida State, Texas A&M, Stanford, and Cal State-Fullerton. The teams will play only teams within the same bracket with a double-elimination format. The survivors of the two brackets will play a one-game championship on June 19. Alabama opened the 1996 CWS against Oklahoma State also, with Bama getting a 7-5 win on a ninth-inning home run by Chris Moller; unfortunately, Bama lost its next two games and was eliminated. Alabama has a 15 game winning steak, the longest in the nation, which ties the school record set in the first 15 games of the 1997 season. What makes the current streak so impressive is that 12 of the games were against SEC opponents and the other three were against teams in the NCAA Regional. Most long streaks in college baseball are set against weaker opponents (the 1997 streak included wins over such teams as Marshall, Louisiana Tech, Middle Tennessee, and Duquesne), which makes the current 15 wins even more impressive. Hopefully this will continue. See You at the Top written by Jim Morris Alabama Weekly / TideFans.com Staff Editor's Note: Alabama Weekly welcomes Jim Morris to the Staff. Join Jim as he hosts the TideFans.com live cybercast of each CWS game this week and next. Live play-by-play and stat updates only on TideFans.com. Jim is currently compiling a list of former TIDE greats to profile in a WHERE ARE THEY NOW series on Alabama Weekly. If you have some greats you would like to be profiled please let us know. Welcome aboard, Jim! Is it me or does the Athletic programs at the Capstone seem headed for heights never seen before? On Saturday, the TIDE baseball team reached the College World Series for the 3rd time in 4 years. With that stat alone, the baseball program is building its own tradition. We can only hope that the 3rd time will be the charm and Bama will return to Tuscaloosa as National Champions. Last year the football team surpassed many self-proclaimed experts' predictions in winning 7 games. And, once again, CMD and his staff put together a top 5 recruiting class. With a lot of youngsters seeing playing time last year, you would think that the Tide is in good shape to better 7 wins this season. Although the football team has been at the top of the collegiate ranks, everyone knows that past few seasons we have not witnessed true Alabama Football. Glimpses of Alabama Football were seen on occasion last season indicating to all of us the great future this team has. In Mark Gottfried's first year the TIDE basketball team suffered a lot of ups and downs. However, it was beginning to find itself at season's end. Coleman Coliseum was even at half its capacity on several occasions (including a sellout). That is a mark that hasn't been met since the days of Wimp. Students were seen filling their section and one felt that Mark Gottfried had accomplished a lot more than wins and losses. For the first time in history, the TIDE basketball program has been heralded as signing a class that rates in the top 3 in the nation. Now we have just learned that BAMA will be playing a tougher schedule. I know some of you think that Gottfried is getting his cart before the horse, but in order to get to the top you have to play the people at the top. I have to admit, since Wimp left I haven't been excited about BAMA basketball, but, oh my, how time has changed. I can hardly wait until November. Rick Moody would be the first to say he was not satisfied with the overall performance of his team last year. The Lady Tide did make it to the NCAA's again, which is an annual occurrence. But isn't it great to say that the Lady Tide had a down year and they still made it to the NCAA tournament. Seeing that youth was the Achilles heel of his team Moody went out and signed two junior college all-Americans. As they say, Moody doesn't rebuild, he reloads. Alabama Gymnastics. That's about all that needs to be said to send chills down the back of the college gymnastics world. What Sarah Patterson has done is truly one of the great stories of collegiate athletics. Three national titles, sellouts at Coleman Coliseum, and many top 3 finishes are just a few of the miracles this lady has performed. I don't think Sarah herself ever dreamed of the success she would have at the Capstone. And might I add she is a great promoter and choreographer. If you have ever witnessed a GYMTIDE home meet you know it's an experience. By the way, with her youngest team ever, Mrs. Patterson led the GYMTIDE to a second place finish in the SEC and third overall in the nation. That may have been her greatest accomplishment yet. I am sure the TIDE tumblers will be one of the favorites to win it all in 2000. Well, I guess you get the picture. It might just be me but I truly feel that THE University of Alabama's Athletic Program, as a whole; is climbing the mountain toward greatness. I've got my hiking boots on and ready to climb. It's not as far of a climb as you might think. I'll see you all at the top. Roll Tide Roll! Bama & the NBA Playoffs written by John Hinds, Boston Bureau Alabama Weekly / TideFans.com Staff Things have come full circle for Latrell Sprewell. From being one of the most hated players in the NBA, after his altercation with coach P.J. Carlesimo when he was at Golden State (San Francisco) Spree has found new life in New York. Not only has he been a vital player in the New York Knicks improbable run through the NBA playoffs but Sunday Spree was deemed The Man by his coach Jeff Van Gundy. There weren't very many people who would have given this Knicks team much of a chance after the regular season. They barely made the playoffs as the eighth and last team from the East. But by beating Miami, on the Heat's home court, then drubbing the Atlanta Hawks in four straight games, the Knicks found themselves in the Eastern finals. Sprewell has been a huge part of the New York success story as he's averaged 18 points in 33 minutes per game through the first 12 Knicks playoff wins. But Spree has been an unhappy role player for New York as he has been called upon to come in off the New York bench and spark the team. All that changed in the Indiana series. First New York captain and center Patrick Ewing tore his Achilles tendon in the second game of that series. Then the Knicks ran into foul trouble in their game three win on Saturday. So, Sprewell, who had been pleading for a starting role all season, heard his cry answered before game four Tuesday. "It's the way we can win this Series," Van Gundy said. Make no mistake about it; it is a risk for New York. The Knicks were 1-3 with Sprewell starting before Monday and he was a meager 34 percent from the field against the Pacers. For the season Spree averaged 15 points in those four starts including a game high 20 in a loss at Indiana. "This is the best ride of my life," Sprewell said. "This is what you dream about as a kid. I can remember so many times just watching the Finals with my dad, playoff games, I just wanted to be a part of it. Now to actually get out on the floor and experience these things is the ultimate in basketball." Oh, and by the way, Bama fans will recognize a familiar face on the Pacers bench. Derrick McKey has been contributing vital minutes but even more vital defensive play with 11 steals in his team's 10 playoff games. What more could a Bama basketball fan want than an NBA Eastern Final with Spree and McKey. Ok, a NBA title for one of our own. Bama Players Dropping Like Flies? Commentary by Brett Young, Managing Editor Alabama Weekly / TideFans.com By now, you've probably read a story, a chat topic, or message board discussion on how Eric Locke has left the Tide football team because he "needed a change." You may or may not know that Chris Reier is leaving the team, as well. What does all this mean? How should one feel about these defections? Is there a pattern developing? First, we should all wish Eric and Chris the best of luck in wherever their new endeavors take them. Chris is apparantly going to play baseball at Jacksonville (FL) University. Eric is exploring his options and may transfer within the conference. Both of these players have taken heat in various forums for going public with their dissatisfaction with coaches, playing time, and personal situations each found himself in. Not getting enough playing time at a particular position; not getting the respect of the coaches who matter; not being close to home...the list is endless. What does all this mean? It probably means that these 19 & 20 year old star athletes have, just like all of us do from time to time, realized--for whatever reason-- they made a mistake in a very important decision when they chose to come to Bama. I know I've been there and done that too many times to count. The difference is that I didn't do it in front of 80,000 people each Saturday in the fall and hundreds of thousands in June. These young men are being criticized in a manner that usually only applies to CEO's and corporate types. They're 20 year old COLLEGE STUDENTS, for crying out loud!!! Let them learn from their mistakes. It builds character How should one feel about these defections? If you look at them as defectors, I've probably already lost the battle with you. Locke & Reier have left the team, for whatever reason. Who hasn't taken a job and was gung-ho for about 3 days. Day 4 gave you a very different insight into the job and by Day 5, you were gone. Same thing here. Let'em go. If Locke goes to a Tennessee or other SEC school, wish him the best, but make no bones about it. He could be winning with the Tide but instead he will be on the losing side in October. That's how we approach this one. Is there a pattern developing? College athletics is a big business. Players are intelligent and know how to find what they want. Alabama is not the only 5-star school losing 5-star players. Indiana, Notre Dame, and others have all lost top stars to other top schools this year. It's a sign of the times and speaks to the changing environment brought about by NCAA rules, regulations, and rigors. My take on all this is that we should forgive and forget. Eric Locke and Chris Reier have made decisions based on gut feelings, advice, and personal experiences. None of us was there and none of us know the thoughts of these players or experiences driving their decisions. That said, I say......Bring on the OSU pokes!!! It's CWS time, folks. Concentrate on that and by the end of next week, you'll be asking, "Chris who?......Eric who?" AND THE BAMANATION SAID: "ROLL TIDE!" If you have an article or commentary you'd like to submit for publication, please send it to: Alabama.Weekly@TideFans.com To subscribe / unsubscribe to the newsletter, visit TideFans.com or send an email with your request to: ALW-Subscriptions@TideFans.com Newsletter by: Brett Young and Jess Nicholas Commentary by: Brett Young Special Thanks to: Grif Carden, John Hinds, Jim Morris PLEASE VISIT TIDEFANS.COM / ALABAMA WEEKLY BamaNation: http://www.TideFans.com Thanks for subscribing! ROLL TIDE ROLL! ***************************************************************************** *** (c) 1999 TideFans.com(tm) / Alabama Weekly(sm) *** *** *** DISCLAIMER: *** *** All content courtesy of the respective authors *** *** may not be the official position of TideFans. However, *** *** TideFans does have ultimate editorial authority, so *** *** it's pretty much in line with how we feel! ;) ROLL TIDE! *** ****************************************************************************** | ||||
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