2013 College World Series -- TD Ameritrade Park -- Omaha

On ESPN radio the other day, the host was raving about how the CWS is possibly the greatest and most exciting spectacle in sports. Here's another guys take on it:

If you think the Heat-Spurs series is the
most exciting championship being
contested this weekend … well, you're
fooling yourself. Out in Nebraska, eight
college baseball teams will be vying for a
trophy far less celebrated than the Stanley
Cup, with a media presence a fraction of
the size of the NBA Finals. But if you like
baseball, or sports, or America, you'll love
a week's worth of insane, high-intensity
baseball, featuring some of the big
leagues' stars of the future and some
really likable kids with funny names. The
College World Series combines the high
skill of the professional game, the
adorable unpredictability of Little League,
and the insane intensity of March
Madness. There's nothing quite like it in
sports, and in a moment of great
fortuitous corporate synergy, every game
will be televised, live, on the ESPN family
of networks.

 

the sculptor who did
the artwork, John Lajba, said in a story in
Friday’s Omaha World-Herald that it
doesn’t portray a specific event. Lajba was
commissioned to do the work in 1997, just a
year after Morris’ two-out, two-run walk-off
homer beat Miami 9-8 for LSU’s third
national title. It’s the consensus choice as
the most dramatic moment in this event’s
history and Labja admitted that the Morris
home run was his inspiration.

Texas Longhorn fan on Texas board discussing whether it was based on a Texas championship team:
" I had always assumed it was based on LSU's
Warren Morris who hit the walk off homerun to
beat Miami for one of LSU's titles in the 90's."

AP article:
A common misnomer is that the statue portrays
LSU's celebration of Warren Morris' improbable
national title-clinching home run against Miami
in 1996. Lajba said Morris' home run was the
inspiration, but that the statue represents the
magic of college baseball and human potential.
"I didn't want the sculpture to be about just a
single event," Lajba said. "It's about all the
players who come to Omaha. When players
stand in front of Rosenblatt and see that statue,
I want them to think it's them. It represents the
height of their careers at that point."

....
.....
....
So yes, i think it's safe to say Warren Morris inspired it. How awesome is that? But honestly, it is rightfully so. Everybody agrees the Morris HR was the greatest single moment in CWS history. I think it was Kendall Rogers of Perfect Game, in his last time to see the old Rosenblatt before they demolished it, took a picture of him and his buddy acting like Morris celebrating and the Miami player laying on the ground crying

 

here are your All-Americans playing in the 2013 CWS:


LSU

SP Aaron Nola, LSU
--2013: CB SEC Pitcher of Year, BA 1st Team, CB 1st Team, NCBWA 1st Team, PG 1st Team

SS Alex Bregman, LSU
--2013: BA 1st Team, PG 1st Team, NCBWA 2nd Team, CB 3rd Team

1B Mason Katz, LSU
--2013: NCBWA 1st Team, CB 2nd Team, PG 2nd Team

OF Raph Rhymes, LSU
--2012: CB SEC Player of the Year, ABCA 1st Team, PG 1st Team, CB 1st Team, NCBWA 1st Team, BA 3rd Team

RP Chris Cotton, LSU
--2013: 2013: PG 3rd Team


MISS STATE

OF Hunter Renfroe, Miss State
--2013: BA 1st Team, CB 1st Team, NCBWA 1st Team, PG 1st Team

RP Jonathan Holder, Miss State
--2013: CB 1st Team, NCBWA 1st Team, BA 2nd Team

RP Ross Mitchell, Miss State
--2013: NCBWA 2nd Team, CB 3rd Team

SS Adam Frazier, Miss State
--2013: PG 3rd Team


NORTH CAROLINA

3B/DH Colin Moran, UNC
--2013: BA 1st Team, PG 1st Team, CB 2nd Team, NCBWA 2nd Team

SP Kent Emanuel, UNC
--2013: CB ACC Pitcher of Year, CB 1st Team, PG 2nd Team, NCBWA 3rd Team
--2012: CB 3rd Team

1B Cody Stubbs, UNC
--2013: CB 3rd Team


OREGON STATE

SP Andrew Moore, Oregon State
--2013: BA 1st Team, CB 2nd Team

SP Matt Boyd, Oregon State
--2013: BA 3rd Team, CB 3rd Team, PG 3rd Team

OF Michael Conforto, Oregon State
--2013: PG 1st Team
--2012: BA 2nd Team, ABCA 2nd Team, NCBWA 2nd Team, PG 3rd Team


INDIANA

C Kyle Schwarber, Indiana
--2013: PG 1st Team, NCBWA 1st Team, BA 2nd Team, CB 2nd Team

3B Dustin DeMuth, Indiana
--2013: PG 2nd Team, BA 3rd Team, CB 3rd Team

SP Aaron Siegers, Indiana
--2013: CB 3rd Team


NC STATE

SP Carlos Rodon, N.C. State
--2013: PG 1st Team, CB 2nd Team, NCBWA 2nd Team, BA 3rd Team
--2012: CB ACC Pitcher of the Year, CB 1st Team, PG 1st Team, ABCA 1st Team, BA 1st Team, NCBWA 1st Team

SS Trea Turner, N.C. State
--2013: PG 2nd Team, CB 2nd Team, BA 3rd Team, NCBWA 3rd Team
--2012: NCBWA 3rd Team


UCLA

RP David Berg, UCLA
--2013: CB Pac 12 Pitcher of Year, BA 1st Team, CB 1st Team, NCBWA 1st Team, PG 2nd Team
--2012: PG 3rd Team

SP Adam Plutko, UCLA
--2012: BA 3rd Team, PG 3rd Team


LOUISVILLE

SP Jeff Thompson Louisville
--2013: CB 2nd Team, NCBWA 3rd Team, PG 3rd Team

RP Nick Burdi, Louisville
--2013: PG 1st Team, NCBWA 2nd Team

 

note that every team other than Miss State has a starting pitcher who is an All-American

 

the best of the 2013 CWS pitchers:

Career Games Started
50 -- Adam Plutko (Junior), UCLA -- All-American
48 -- Kent Emanuel (Junior), North Carolina -- Two-Time All-American
46 -- Kendall Graveman (Senior), Mississippi St.

Career Victories
28 -- Kent Emanuel (Junior), North Carolina -- Two-Time All-American
27 -- Adam Plutko (Junior), UCLA -- All-American
25 -- Nick Vander Tuig (Junior), UCLA
23 -- Ben Wetzler (Junior), Oregon St.
23 -- Joey DeNato (Junior), Indiana
22 -- Jeff Thompson (Junior), Louisville -- All-American
21 -- Matt Boyd (Senior), Oregon St. -- All-American

Career Pitching Appearances
103 -- Chris Cotton (Senior), LSU -- All-American
99 -- Matt Boyd (Senior), Oregon St. -- All-American
96 -- David Berg (Soph), UCLA -- Two-Time All-American
87 -- Tony Bryant (Senior), Oregon St.
86 -- Chris Overman (Senior), NC State

Career Innings Pitched
338.3 -- Adam Plutko (Junior), UCLA -- All-American
336.6 -- Kent Emanuel (Junior), North Carolina -- Two-Time All-American
299.7 -- Kendall Graveman (Senior), Mississippi St.

Career Complete Games (min 7)
7 -- Kent Emanuel (Junior), North Carolina -- Two-Time All-American

Career Shutouts (min 4)
4 -- Kent Emanuel (Junior), North Carolina --- Two-Time All-American

Career Saves
27 -- Jonathan Holder (Soph), Mississippi St. -- All-American
22 -- David Berg (Soph), UCLA -- Two-Time All-American
22 -- Tony Bryant (Senior), Oregon St.
22 -- Ryan Halstead (Junior), Indiana
19 -- Chris Overman (Senior), NC State
18 -- Chris Cotton (Senior), LSU -- All-American

Career Fewest Walks Per Nine Innings
1.04 -- Aaron Nola (Soph), LSU -- All-American
1.16 -- Chris Cotton (Senior), LSU -- All-American
1.46 -- Trent Thornton (Freshman), North Carolina
1.55 -- David Berg (Sophomore), UCLA -- Two-Time All-American
1.62 -- Aaron Slegers (Sophomore), Indiana -- All-American

Career Earned Run Average (min 300 IP)
2.29 -- Adam Plutko (Junior, 338.3 IP), UCLA -- All-American

Career Earned Run Average (200-300 IP)
2.17 -- Matt Boyd (Senior 248.4 IP), Oregon St. -- All-American

Career Earned Run Average (100-200 IP)
1.18 -- David Berg (Soph, 145.3 IP), UCLA -- Two-Time All-American
1.30 -- Ross Mitchell (Soph, 124.7 IP), Mississippi St. -- All-American
1.36 -- Andrew Moore (Freshman, 119.0 IP), Oregon St. -- All-American
2.12 -- Hobbs Johnson (Junior, 140.4 IP), North Carolina
2.31 -- Chad Green (Junior, 191.0 IP), Louisville
2.31 -- Chris Cotton (Senior, 124.6 IP), LSU -- All-American

Career Earned Run Average (under 100 IP)
0.94 -- Jonathan Holder (Soph, 76.3 IP), Mississippi St. -- All-American
1.24 -- Trent Thornton (Freshman, 80.0 IP), North Carolina
2.19 -- Chris McCue (Soph, 82.3 IP), North Carolina

2013 Earned Run Average (Starting Pitchers)
1.36 -- Andrew Moore (Freshman, 119.0 IP), Oregon St. -- All-American
1.68 -- Aaron Nola (Soph, 118.0 IP), LSU -- All-American
2.00 -- Jeff Thompson (Junior, 103.1 IP), Louisville -- All-American
2.13 -- Matt Boyd, (Senior, 122.2 IP), Oregon St. -- All-American
2.13 -- Aaron Slegers (Soph, 97.0 IP), Indiana -- All-American
2.29 -- Chad Green (Junior, 102.1 IP), Louisville
2.31 -- Ben Wetzler (Junior, 89.2 IP), Oregon St.
2.35 -- Adam Plutko (Junior, 111.0 IP), UCLA -- All-American
2.37 -- Nick Vander Tuig (Junior, 114.0 IP), UCLA

2013 Earned Run Average (Relief Pitchers)
0.88 -- David Berg, UCLA (Soph, 71.1 IP) -- Two-Time All-American
1.23 -- Chris Cotton (Senior, 44.0 IP), LSU -- All-American
1.28 -- Trent Thornton (Freshman, 84.2 IP), North Carolina
1.35 -- Ross Mitchell (Soph, 86.2 IP), Mississippi St. -- All-American

Career Strikeouts
305 -- Carlos Rodon (Soph), NC State -- Two-Time All-American
278 -- Kent Emanuel (Junior), North Carolina -- Two-Time All-American
268 -- Adam Plutko (Junior), UCLA -- All-American
225 -- Jeff Thompson (Junior), Louisville -- All-American

Career Strikeouts Per Nine Innings
13.32 -- Jonathan Holder (Soph), Mississippi St. -- All-American
11.78 -- Carlos Rodon (Soph), NC State -- Two-Time All-American
10.02 -- Dace Kime (Junior), Louisville
9.85 -- Evan Mitchell (Junior), Mississippi St.
9.50 -- Jacob Lindgren (Soph), Mississippi St.
9.43 -- Hobbs Johnson (Junior), North Carolina
9.40 -- Benton Moss (Junior), North Carolina

2013 Strikeouts Per Nine Innings
12.93 -- Carlos Rodon, NC State -- Two-Time All-American
10.83 -- Dace Kime, Louisville
9.49 -- Jeff Thompson, Louisville -- All-American
9.31 -- Benton Moss, North Carolina
9.21 -- David Berg, UCLA -- Two-Time All-American
8.92 -- Aaron Nola, LSU -- All-American
8.29 -- Trent Thornton, North Carolina
8.20 -- Hobbs Johnson, North Carolina

Career Fewest Hits Per Nine Innings (min 200 IP)
6.03 -- Carlos Rodon (Soph, 233.0 IP), NC State -- Two-Time All-American
6.60 -- Adam Plutko (Junior, 338.3 IP), UCLA -- All-American
6.96 -- Matt Boyd (Senior, 248.4 IP), Oregon St. -- All-American

Career Fewest Hits Per Nine Innings (100-200 IP)
5.64 -- David Berg (Soph, 145.3 IP), UCLA -- Two-Time All-American
5.90 -- Andrew Moore (Freshman, 119.0 IP) -- All-American
6.28 -- Ross Mitchell (Soph, 124.7 IP), Mississippi St. -- All-American
6.28 -- Hobbs Johnson (Junior, 140.4 IP), North Carolina
6.39 -- Chris Overman (Senior, 121.0 IP), NC State
6.57 -- Chris Cotton (Senior, 124.6 IP), LSU -- All-American

Career Fewest Hits Per Nine Innings (under 100 IP)
4.95 -- Jonathan Holder (Soph, 76.3 IP), Mississippi St. -- All-American
6.41 -- Trent Thornton (Freshman, 80.0 IP), North Carolina
6.45 -- Logan Jernigan (Soph, 82.3 IP), NC State
6.89 -- Chris McCue (Soph, 82.3 IP), North Carolina

2013 Hits Allowed Per Nine Innings
5.23 -- Jeff Thompson (Junior, 103.1 IP), Louisville -- All-American
5.90 -- Andrew Moore (Freshman, 119.0 IP), Oregon St. -- All-American
5.95 -- Aaron Nola (Soph, 118.0 IP), LSU -- All-American
6.18 -- David Berg (Soph, 71.1 IP), UCLA -- Two-Time All-American
6.31 -- Matt Boyd (Senior, 122.2 IP), Oregon St. -- All-American
6.38 -- Trent Thornton (Freshman, 84.2 IP), North Carolina
6.46 -- Carlos Rodon (Soph, 118.1 IP), NC State -- Two-Time All-American
6.49 -- Hobbs Johnson (Junior, 79.0 IP), North Carolina
6.54 -- Ross Mitchell (Sophomore, 86.2 IP), Mississippi St. -- All-American
6.81 -- Adam Plutko (Junior, 111.0 IP) UCLA -- Starter -- All-American
7.26 -- Cody Poteet (Freshman, 70.2 IP), UCLA
7.40 -- Scott Effross (Freshman, 62.0 IP), Indiana

 

Louisiana State players greet fans outside TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Neb., on their way into the stadium for team picture and practice Friday afternoon.

 

LSU coach Paul Mainieri, right, leads his players out of the tunnel during practice Friday at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Neb. LSU plays UCLA in the College World Series on Sunday. (Associated Press)