Old Sport Shorts: More Hot Dogs #566

I’ve decided to fulfill another bucket list sports dream. This after seeing a Cubs World Series win, the Daytona 500, and both the major and minor league All-Star games, after retiring just a year-and-a-half ago.  It’s not a major travel destination this time, but certainly greater than those on my “pail” list. (See Post #279). By the way, I did cross off the Carl’s Jr. sausage, biscuit, and cheese entry off that pail list on my last ski trip to Mount Hood. This upcoming adventure is much bigger than that accomplishment.

Yes, I will be having a hot dog in Omaha. I had one last night at Busch Stadium, watching the Cubs beat the Cardinals. My wife put catsup on it, and even though I covered over my portion with lots of mustard, the taste was badly compromised. She will not be going to Omaha, so I can have it “my way” at TD Ameritrade Park, modern home of the College World Series. Rosenblatt Stadium hosted the event from 1950 to 2010.

The College World Series started in 1947 and was held in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It then moved to Wichita before settling in Omaha. I’ve been to the NCAA championships for college hoops many times (See Post #400), but have not witnessed finals in any other sport. College championships generate unmatched energy, so I expect quite an experience. I would also like to go to the Little League World Series one of these years. Maybe a relative will give me a reason to make it a destination?

My teams may very well be eliminated by the time I get there for the Finals, and I’m disappointed that my Indiana Hoosiers didn’t make the field. However, a good friend wanted to make the trip, and I decided to go with him. This will be my first trip to the city of Omaha that has invested heavily in building a reputation around college baseball. We’re lodging in the very robust downtown area at a Courtyard by Marriott, of course. Prices triple for this popular event, and we’re lucky to have a close place to stay. While the players are seriously competing, the fans will be partying.

IU went to the annual, double-elimination affair 5-years ago for the first time in school history, bolstered by the bat of current Cub slugger, Kyle Schwarber. The University of Texas from our former Austin home has been a 36x tourney mainstay with x titles, while Oregon State is my new local favorite, hoping to earn a third National Title. Second baseman Nick Madrigal of the Beavers was the #4 pick in this year’s draft, selected by my Chicago White Sox.

I went with another friend to Surprise, Arizona to watch the Oregon State Beavers kick-off their 2018 season against Cal Poly. This particular tournament caught my eye last year because it involved a match-up between OSU and IU, as I began following both teams in their quests to get back to Omaha. Only Oregon State accomplished that goal, and proved their superiority with that early-season victory over IU. My Hoosiers went on to win the BIG conference but failed to win the conference tournament or advance past Kentucky in the Regional. On the other hand, The Beavers were one of the top-seeds going into the World Series, but a controversy over their ace pitcher led to his withdrawal from the tourney. They lost to LSU twice to end their 56-win season.

When Oregon State makes their annual jaunt to Portland University, we go to those games. I have never been to an IU baseball game, but they were not very competitive until recent years. As a student, only basketball, swimming and bicycle racing were popular sports on the Bloomington campus. My interest in baseball has peaked since retiring in Oregon and joining some card-collecting clubs while attending more games. The Mariners are just a few hours away, and I join my wife on her business trips, going to games in Anaheim, LA, and SF this past year. We will also go back to Chicago for both Cubs and White Sox games later this year, to add to my hot dog consumption this year. 

I remember going to see some regular season games involving UT when we were living in Austin, and cheering for The Longhorns on TV with friends during the post-season. One of the home games I saw was against Nebraska, who has played in nearby Omaha. At that time, the late, great Augie Garrido was the Longhorn coach. Coach David Pierce of Texas  is wearing his familiar #16 as a tribute to the man that took teams to the CWS 15 times and won it on five occasions. “Hook ‘Em Horns!” is their rally cry. Football has taken a back seat to winning baseball these past few years on campus. Kody (with a K) Clemons, Roger Clemen’s youngest son is their leading hitter this year. While in Austin, I was also able to sneak over to see the Astros when the Cubs or Sox came to town, or run up to neighboring Round Rock to see Nolan Ryan’s Express play ball. I even tried to get a sales job for the AAA club.

So while some people are “going to Disneyland” for a bucket list adventure,” I’m going to Omaha! Oregon State already lost their opening round game to North Carolina, so they face impossible odds to make it to the final series. Texas is in the same boat after coming up short against Arkansas. Mississippi State, Texas Tech, Florida, and Washington round out the final 8 contenders for the championship. We arrive Saturday, hoping to still see The Beavers and Longhorns in contention. Florida is the defending champ, and the only other finalist to have won a championshp. None of the teams and their fans have much of a travel advantage, since Midwest teams are rarely in the hunt.

We had a “bucket of beers” before last night’s Cub victory, but the severe heat and humidity put us old farts to bed without any semblance of a victory celebration. While the Cubs’ faithful were waving their “W” flags and singing “Go Cubs Go,” we were headed back to the comfort of our air-conditioned Marriott Grand suite. I hope it will be cooler in Omaha and that my teams get hot. Pass the mustard, please!