Underdogs to Wonderdogs2008 National Champion Fresno St. BaseballFriends & Family

FW: College World Series postblog

2008-11-13T18:54:00.001-08:00

College World Series post-Blog

Fresno State Wonderdogs visit The Wonder House and George W. (“Wonder”) Bush

I am writing this after one of the most unique and amazing experiences I can imagine. Without thinking it was possible, but taking advantage of a “somebody-who-knows somebody” relationship through work, we received an invitation from the White House to attend today’s 2008 NCAA Sports Champions day on the South Lawn of the White House. It was such a special day and for the last time, at least for the 2008 season, I will share the experience of following this team with all of you with my only regret that everyone could have been there to see it firsthand – this was a day I never will forget.

q We arrived yesterday afternoon and met 6 of the boys for dinner in the Georgetown area, including a couple who were returning from the minor league teams to attend this special event. They were tired after a long day of travel but very excited to be here, not really comprehending altogether what was ahead.

q It was impressive to hear that every single current and former player and coach from the 2008 team had made the trip. The team was staying in the Hilton Garden Inn (same hotel as Omaha) in Arlington, VA just about 5 miles from the White House.

q The boys left their hotel at about 9 AM on a bus tour of the DC area lead by the National Park Service which included many of the sights and a ride to the top of the Washington Monument (not available to the public) about which they were all thrilled.

q We also toured the area for a couple of hours this morning and enjoyed this amazing place. It was all put into perspective though with a visit to the Vietnam Memorial where literally hundreds of wreaths had been placed in honor of yesterday’s Veterans’ Day. The sheer number of men and women who gave their lives was overwhelming and we as a nation continue to be in their debt – it was truly an emotional experience.

q The boys ended their tour with their arrival at the White House where they got a very special tour of many of the rooms – I heard several of them refer to it as like a “museum” (and about to get a new curator!)

q Karen and I arrived at the southeast entrance of the White House and were immediately impressed by the presence of at least 20 security personnel. We had been asked to submit all kinds of information in advance as part of the screening process. There were a couple of hundred people there, with most of them uniformed military service personnel who also attended the event as, I am guessing, this was an opportunity for them to see the President and many of them were here already for yesterday’s Veterans’ Day ceremonies.

q We eventually filed in up the long walk to the east wing of the White House where we went inside while waiting – spent time viewing pictures of past presidents and family, an incredible bust of Abraham Lincoln …. amazing. We were lead from there past the Marine Corp Band that was playing for the event to our seats on the South Lawn looking back at the White House with the Washington Monument behind, a view we have all seen many times. We sat down and looked at each other, both thinking at the same time “can you believe we are really here?” – it was a bit unreal.

q Once everyone was seated and the stands with TV cameras behind us were rolling, the introduction of the teams began, which included the Marine Band playing each team’s fight song. There were 9 NCAA championship teams altogether including ours. Also attending were two from ASU (softball and men’s and women’s indoor track), the rifle team from U. of Alaska, and Arizona’s swimming and diving team. The women’s crew team from Brown was here (an interesting group) and the Northwestern women’s lacrosse team was here for the 4^th straight year in a row.

q Then came the moment – the Bulldogs filed out of the second level of the White House down both sides of the winding staircase while the fight song played. What an amazing sight to see these boys, who looked amazing in their suits come out of there and take their seats – big smiles on all of them.

q After all the teams were seated, the captains of each of the teams came out of the lower level along with the President. We all stood and it was so great to see Steve Susdorf and Clayton Allison, both minor leaguers now, on the stage next to the President. I just wish I could have frozen the entire moment at that point – it was all going too fast.

q The President said a few words about each team and finally came to our Bulldogs, which I believe he saved for last. There was a certain affection is his remarks toward this team – he is a baseball guy but I think he really was taken by the Bulldog story. A White house staffer told me after the event that he spent more time talking to our team than any other there and that he watched a couple of the CWS games in June. Following is the transcript of his comments about the Fresno State baseball champions:

And finally, Fresno State men's baseball. So you talk about a team that refused to quit. This team lost 12 of the first 20 games of the season. I suspect some of you wrote you off, you know, like -- (laughter) -- eight and 12? These guys call themselves champs? You needed to win your conference tournament just to make the NCAA field of 64 teams. Six times in post-season you were only one game away from elimination. Every time you held on, and you became national champs. No wonder the ESPYs nominated you for the best upset of the year. I thank you for your willingness to never say die, your willingness to keep fighting. Steve Detwiler said this -- he played with an injury by the way -- he said, "It's mind over matter. The pain is temporary. The pride is forever." And I suspect, Steve, a lot of athletes, whether they were on your team or on the teams represented here, can testify that pride is forever. This is a prideful moment for you

q The event wrapped up with “W” shaking hands with all of the team captains and waving good-bye for the last time presiding over an NCAA champions day. He was funny and un-rehearsed throughout and the boys reported being very impressed with how warm and down-to-earth he was in talking to them.

q We were able to stay after the ceremony and linger for awhile and get some more pictures on the lawn and the beautiful grounds (see pic below). There was hot chocolate for everyone and the Marine Band continued their wonderful music. There were no mementos, except for the handful of cocktail napkins many of the boys stuffed in their pockets.

q We attended a nice reception for Fresno State Alumni living in the greater D.C. area at the team hotel and met some very nice people there. Their stories of watching the CWS games in DC-area sports bars with hundreds cheering for the Bulldogs just reinforced how big all of this was literally across the nation. We said our goodbyes as the boys were rushing out to dinner and to watch Brandon Burke (final game closer) perform at an Arlington open-mike comedy club.

It is hard to describe this improbable day, but what about this 2008 Bulldog baseball season had been probable? We all know what they have accomplished and the unpredicted, unexpected and even unlikely experience it has been – they were at the White House today chatting with the President of the United States – wow! – not even the most confident among them could have predicted this on their first day of practice as a freshman. Today was such a cheerful, no-stress day with no game-day jitters or wonder about who was on the mound or whether the bats of the Fresno Lumber Company (thanks Kenny) would show up or not. But what struck me more about today than what they have done, is that today may very well be the last day they all will ever be together again – players and coaches. So what a way to spend it and create one last memory of this 2008 baseball season – this was the final chapter for this team. They were a unique bunch and I still see the goofiness in them today in their suits and ties at the White House as we all reluctantly bring this season to a close. It is hard to let go for us but the memories, including those made today, will always be there along with the lifelong bond that players, coaches, parents, friends, and supporters have all developed. We are humbled by it all and grateful to God for the blessing that every minute these Wonderdogs have provided to us.

IS THERE A DOG IN THE (WHITE) HOUSE??? WOOOOF!!!!

(pictures following)

More than a game

2008-07-31T23:01:00.000-07:00

I just received a Thank you from a friend of my brother-in-law. The reason I am sharing this..... Jeff (my brother-in-law's friend) has a 12 year old son Jack. Jack is a from the San Francisco area and is a fan of the Bulldogs. Jack is a baseball player (pitcher)and is currently recovering from major surgery. Justin was asked to call Jack while he was in the hospital. They had a short conversation and I could tell that Justin was the one who was touched by the "fan appreciation". To follow is the e-mail from Jack and his dad.

How blessed we all are to have had the CWS experience and more important, the opportunity to make someone feel better because of it.

Greg Mackay sent me your email address so we could send this note. Justin was the kindest young man to take the time to speak with my son Jack while he was in the hospital and send him a cap which is proudly placed on the top of his bookshelf in his room as his prized possession. Would you please pass the following note to Justin from my son.

God Bless

Jeff Humphrey, ASA, CCRA
Senior Vice President - Asset Management
Devon Self Storage Holdings, LLC
2000 Powell Street, Suite 1240
Emeryville, CA 94608
Phone (510) 450-9205
Fax (510) 595-3369

Dear Justin,

Thanks so much for the hat. It’s the most special baseball item on my shelf. I really appreciate it. It was lots of fun watching you and your team play in the CWS. I will hope to see you throwing in the big leagues. Good luck in Pittsburg!!!

Sincerely,
Jack Humphrey

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ESPY

2008-07-20T15:34:00.000-07:00

Look for the ESPY show tonight at 9pm. More info on the event to follow soon.

Resolution passed in the U.S. House today

2008-07-15T15:49:00.000-07:00

110th CONGRESS2d Session
H. RES. 1327
Congratulating the 2008 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Baseball Champions, the Fresno State Bulldogs, on an outstanding and historic season.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 9, 2008
Mr. Nunes (for himself, Mr. Costa, Mr. Radanovich, Mr. Cardoza, Mr. Walden of Oregon, Mr. Dreier, Mrs. Napolitano, Mr. Issa, Mr. Calvert, Mr. McCarthy of California, Mr. Rohrabacher, Mr. McNerney, Mr. Terry, Mr. Young of Alaska, Ms. Roybal-Allard, Mr. Honda, Mr. Thompson of California, Mr. Shimkus, Mr. Doolittle, Mr. Bilbray, Mr. Berman, Mr. George Miller of California, Mr. Boozman, Mr. Lewis of California, Mrs. Bono Mack, Mr. Campbell of California, and Mr. Herger) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor
RESOLUTION
Congratulating the 2008 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Baseball Champions, the Fresno State Bulldogs, on an outstanding and historic season.
Whereas California State University, Fresno, better known as Fresno State, was founded in 1911 and has offered advanced degrees since 1949;
Whereas Fresno State has one of the top Agriculture Sciences and Technology programs in the California State University system, with a worldwide reputation in water technology, more than 200 awards for student-produced wines, and research having global impact in the areas of food production, land preservation, and irrigation;
Whereas Fresno State’s Craig School of Business has been recognized in the Princeton Review’s top business schools and is nationally acclaimed for its Lyles Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship;
Whereas Fresno State also offers well-regarded programs in schools or colleges devoted to arts and humanities, health and human services, education and human development, social sciences, physical sciences, and mathematics and engineering;
Whereas Fresno State is home to approximately 19,000 undergraduate students, 2,200 graduate students, and nearly 1,000 post-baccalaureate students;
Whereas in the recent Western Association of Schools and Colleges accreditation process, Fresno State was commended as a “national model for institutions interested in becoming generators of social mobility, economic development, and student success”;
Whereas Fresno State prepares its students to prosper in their chosen careers by being responsible citizens in their communities, as well as in the State, Nation, and world;
Whereas all Fresno State athletic programs pride themselves on recruiting male and female athletes from local high schools and junior colleges;
Whereas every member of this year’s championship baseball team is from California, with many players hailing from such San Joaquin Valley towns as Fresno, Clovis, Bakersfield, Visalia, Hanford, and Turlock;
Whereas the Fresno State Bulldogs baseball team beat the University of Georgia Bulldogs two games to one to win the 2008 College World Series;
Whereas the Fresno State Bulldogs opened the College World Series with a victory over fifth-seeded Rice University and had two wins over number-two national seed University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill;
Whereas the Bulldogs scored 14 home runs, breaking the College World Series home run record, and set the record for the most extra-base hits, runs batted in, and total bases in a championship game;
Whereas the Bulldogs became the only team in College World Series history to score more than 16 runs in 2 separate games;
Whereas the Bulldogs were the first number-four seed to reach the finals of a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championship in any sport;
Whereas the Bulldogs earned 8 wins over teams ranking in the top 20;
Whereas the Bulldogs played on the road for over 40 days;
Whereas, throughout the College World Series, the Bulldogs won 6 elimination games, including a 19–10 victory over the University of Georgia Bulldogs in the championship series;
Whereas, for the third consecutive season, the Bulldogs earned a pre-season ranking in Collegiate Baseball Newspaper’s Fabulous 40 and an 18th-place ranking from Baseball America Magazine;
Whereas the Bulldogs won 47 games and lost 31 games during the 2008 season;
Whereas 7 members of the Bulldog team were named to the Preseason All-Western Athletic Conference Team;
Whereas on May 17, 2008, the Bulldogs won their third straight Western Athletic Conference championship;
Whereas on May 25, 2008, the Bulldogs won their third straight Western Athletic Conference tournament after beating the University of Nevada;
Whereas the Bulldogs had not played in a College World Series since 1991;
Whereas the Bulldogs won the Long Beach Regional and Tempe Super Regional tournaments, and beat 3rd-ranked Arizona State University, 6th-ranked San Diego University, and 11th-ranked Long Beach State University;
Whereas head coach Mike Batesole was named the 2008 National Coach of the Year, the second time in 10 years he has won the award;
Whereas Steve Susdorf was named the Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year, Tanner Scheppers was named the Western Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year, Danny Muno was named the Western Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year, and head coach Mike Batesole was named the Western Athletic Conference Co-Coach of the Year;
Whereas Steve Susdorf, Tanner Scheppers, Erik Wetzel, Alan Ahmady, and Brandon Burke earned First-Team All-Western Athletic Conference honors;
Whereas seniors Clayton Allison, Blake Amador, Jason Breckley, Brandon Burke, Jacob Hower, Ryan Overland, and Steve Susdorf and junior Kris Tomlinson have graduated or will graduate within 9 semesters, having managed their time well enough to keep up with studies and play championship baseball over 78 games and hundreds of practice sessions;
Whereas Steve Susdorf was a Western Athletic Conference All-Academic awardee for the fourth year and also won ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District and second team Academic All-America honors;
Whereas senior Clayton Allison, juniors Kris Tomlinson and Erik Wetzel, and freshmen Trent Soares and Jake Floethe were also Western Athletic Conference All-Academic performers;
Whereas Tommy Mendonca was named the College World Series Most Outstanding Player and was named to the 2008 National Collegiate Team;
Whereas Erik Wetzel, Steve Susdorf, Steve Detwiler, and Justin Wilson were named to the 2008 College World Series All-Tournament Team;
Whereas, in addition to the players who earned all-conference honors, the Bulldogs saw outstanding play from Danny Muno, Jordan Ribera, Gavin Hedstrom, and Ryan Overland;
Whereas Bulldog coaches Mike Batesole, Matt Curtis, Mike Mayne, and Pat Waer and the entire Bulldog roster and staff have earned a special place in Fresno State sports history;
Whereas many members of the Bulldog team will never play professional baseball and truly give meaning to the term “student-athlete”; and
Whereas Fresno State’s competition for the national championship has been exciting to watch for all those who have an attachment to the University, the San Joaquin Valley, and the game we call our national pastime: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives—
(1) congratulates the 2008 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Baseball Champions, the Fresno State Bulldogs, on an outstanding and historic season; and
(2) recognizes that the Bulldogs, in winning their first College World Series, concluded an unprecedented season and championship that captivated baseball fans across America.

Where have all the guys gone? (from CSTV.com)

2008-07-14T18:20:00.000-07:00

With all the excitement dying down and life returning to their normal routines, where are they now...
• Erik Wetzel has signed with the Colorado Rockies and will begin short season with the Tri-City Dust Devils.• Danny Grubb is taking the summer off and hanging out at home with friends and family in Orange County.• Trent Soares is playing summer league in Madison, Wisc. with the Madison Mallards.• Nick Hom is playing in a summer league.• Alan Ahmady is taking summer classes and working out.• Jason Breckley is finishing up school.• Tanner Scheppers was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the second round and undergoing rehabilitation on his shoulder.• Steve Detwiler is at home recovering from surgery in the Bay area.• Danny Muno is playing in a summer league in Thousand Oaks, Calif.• Jordan Ribera is enjoying a summer off.• Justin Wilson was drafted by the Pittsburg Pirates in the fifth round.• Ryan Overland finished school and is at home in Atascadero preparing to pursue a career in coaching.• Brandon Burke signed with the Diamondbacks and will be playing short season with the Missoula Osprey.• Steve Susdorf signed with the Philadelphia Phillies and began short season in Pennsylvania with the Williamsport Cutters.• Gavin Hedstrom is taking the summer off and spending time with family in Irvine.• Blake Amador graduated and is spending time with family in Turlock.• Tommy Mendonca is playing with Team USA in the Netherlands.• Justin Miller signed with the Texas Rangers and is playing short season with the Spokane Indians.• Jake Johnson is playing summer league in Alaska.• Sean Bonesteele is taking the summer off and hanging out with friends and family in Santa Ana.• Jake Floethe is taking the summer off and spending time at home in Lafayette.• Clayton Allison signed with the LA Dodgers and is playing short season with the Ogden Raptors.• Gene Escat is recovering from an injury.• Kris Tomlinson graduated and is spending time at home with family in Visalia.• Holden Sprague is taking the summer off and hanging out with family in Fresno.• Jake Hower graduated and pursuing a career in law enforcement.

2008-07-10T20:58:00.000-07:00

Some great pictures of some superstars and fantastic views. Enjoy!

2008-07-08T07:28:00.000-07:00

It's everywhere

2008-07-08T07:23:00.000-07:00

I spoke to a friend of mine who was at Dodgers Stadium last night for a game. He said that one of the biggest cheers of the night was when they showed a fan in the stands waving a Fresno State College World Series hat for the camera on the stadium scoreboard screen. The place went nuts for it.

Omaha Experience

2008-07-05T10:34:00.000-07:00

Hi Friends,

I guess I am still trying to make sense of our "Omaha Experience." The one thing that keeps running thru my head is what a "special" team we have. We have all been on MANY different baseball teams, from grammar school thru high school, not including all-star teams. I can't remember being a part of a team with such love and affection for each other. I know, I'm getting sappy, but this group of boys AND their parents share something very special that doesn't happen every day. I think this picture of Gavin and his mom, Karen, sums it up! (Look for it in your mailbox soon :) Thanks for the WONDERFUL year, friends! We have truly been BLESSED with something Special! I'll be thinking about it for a very long time!

Blessings,

Jami Ribera

Happy Fourth of July

2008-07-04T13:34:00.000-07:00

I had a few moments to close my office door and read some of the great memories you have so graciously shared. The timing of the CWS and my busy season at work has made it impossible to the review highlights of the games. I literally hit the ground running to catch up on the Fireworks related issues. Although sleep deprived and having bouts of vertigo,I would not change a thing. I look forward to catching up on all the pictures,thoughts and reliving the absolute joy that came from the visit to Omaha and the memory maker for our family and all those who were fortunate enough to be there....

Love and Hugs to all.....

Johna

MH Final Thoughts from Omaha

2008-07-02T13:34:00.000-07:00

I spent one night in Omaha over Two Weeks (Final message)

I am writing this as we are departing Omaha on a very muggy Thursday morning and heading back to Orange County. We have spent the last two weeks of our lives living an incredible journey, albeit mostly out of a suitcase. It all began in Ruston, Louisiana at the WAC tournament back in May where, by winning, they received an automatic bid to the NCAA Regional Tournament. That tournament was in Long Beach where we were one of four and the lowest seed. After spending 3 days in Long Beach, it was on to the Super Regional in the blistering heat of Tempe, Arizona. There for three days, we then moved on to the College World Series here in Bugaha, Nebraska. The odyssey here started on Thursday, June 12 making it 14 days ago that we arrived prepared for a few days in Omaha, not two weeks. You can prepare for a two week vacation, but not two weeks in Omaha. But for us, even more than the laundry, we weren’t prepared for the emotional marathon that is this College World Series. A few more final thoughts and impressions of our time over these last few days (thanks again for allowing me to journal these indelible memories):

TUESDAY began as groundhog / Bulldog days usually do, but everybody got up a little later after a long Monday night win 19-10 over the Georgia Bulldogs and a very late night Monday. My favorite line from this game was somebody’s “injury report” where our only problem was going to be our third base coach who wore out his arm waving so many guys home

We have come to live these past two weeks on a very different schedule, eating post-game meals at 11PM but still getting up early to try to stay up with work and all the emails from good friends and family – it has been a bit of an exhausting schedule and it may take some time to get back to a normal routine

We have developed such a bond with the families of Gavin’s teammates and they are special people – unique stories and backgrounds ---the Grubb family from Orange, the ever-happy Mendonca’s from Turlock, the Muno family from north San Diego, the popular Dave Wetzel, the Wilson’s who have been on the same four week journey we have, and the Ribera’s (a pastor in Fresno) to name just a few – all such wonderful people

With a late day, we had a late lunch with the boys at the sports bar just down the street from Hotel Bulldog – we felt sorry for this place and thought we would give them a little business. One of our really bad food decisions – but after eating away from home for over 40 meals, you are bound to throw one in the dirt

Gavin and the boys appeared in good spirits, a little tired maybe, but OK. I think they were more feeling that no matter what, today would be the last day they would play together

We encouraged Gavin to just take in the moment on the field, to remember the sights and the smells, and to just have fun today in the biggest game of their lives, the NCAA collegiate baseball championship – one game for it all. Oh sure, don’t worry about anything, don’t stress – easy for us to say

We went over to the stadium early to get in line for tickets early to be sure to have good seats – parked in the same backyard as we have for the last two weeks gladly giving the family $20 for each game and $35 for a whole day. Rosenblatt’s dirty little secret is that they close the parking around the stadium and force people to park in the yards of the neighbors around it giving those bugeaters some extra $$

Kenan was back with us and needed some entertaining so his Uncle Marty and Aunt Marla took him over to the zoo to see the gorillas, polar bear, and an albino alligator

We went over to the Fresno State hospitality tent for the second day, hosted by President John Welty who I met and had a nice chat with – just like we had done the day before – A NOTE ABOUT “ROUTINE” – I don’t call this superstition, because I am not, but we did try to have a “routine” of what we wore, who we sat next to, and where we went if it worked the previous day in producing a win – not superstition is it? Baseball does breed this kind of behavior and some are obsessive – not us of course

The weather Tuesday was the worst of the week -- it was 93 degrees and 90+% humidity and felt like Ruston Louisiana again – I was my own wet T-shirt contest from the time I arrived at the stadium at about 2:30 until we left at 11PM last night

Went into the stadium at about 4:30 to watch a little batting practice – took lots of pictures throughout the tourney and got some good ones here all the while realizing this would be the last BP of the year – guys were crushing the ball but that does not always predict what will happen in the game.

I was surprised at the relatively light crowd for this final game – seemed Fresno and Georgia had about the same amount of traveling fans and the rest of the crowd were just bugeaters, mostly wearing Univ. of Nebraska Cornhusker red and a hat with an “N” on it – that stands for “knowledge” here in Nebraska

One of the mildly entertaining things that goes on is in the outfield bleacher cheap seats where fans play with beach balls (generally annoying to me) and also yell back and forth at each other – “right field sucks” to which right field yells back “left field sucks”. No the most intelligent banter but Gavin spent 6 games in centerfield and said they were really friendly and that it was fun to be out there

Omaha locals prefer the underdog and most of them had or were becoming Fresno State fans

The game was epic and I will not replay it here, other than to say our starting pitcher (Justin Wilson) turned in his best performance ever, and Gavin’s roommate, Steve Detwiler took the entire team on his back and carried it in producing all 6 RBIs in the 6-1 win

Both Karen and had been pretty nervous before the game which is actually not normal for us and several people commented on it – I think it had hit us just how big this had gotten, not just for Gavin and us and team, but for the literally hundreds of friends, family, business associates, former coaches, all watching and hanging on to every pitch and swing – were they relying on us to make this magical ride happen? How would we explain an unfavorable outcome? We put this on ourselves of course……

The final out was greeted with great relief and an emotional explosion – I honestly would not allow myself to believe it was possible until the 3rd out in the bottom of the 9th – that came and the tears started flowing all around us. Lots of hugging and kissing with me still the frontrunner I the wet T-shirt contest. That initial celebration in the stands will be unforgettable and the shock was overwhelming. There was not one chant of “We’re #1”, even though we were.

The most heartwarming thing happened right after the dogpile celebration on the field – Gavin had the presence and heart, in the midst of his own emotion and joy and with pandemonium all around him, to run over to the dugout and motion to us to send Kenan down to the field. He hoisted him over the fence and Kenan joined all the boys in the middle of all that chaos. He got the same t-shirt and hat, celebrated with Gavin’s buddies who adore him, and actually walked up to the table with Gavin to get his award as his name was announced. This act of selflessness and family by Gavin was beyond anything I could imagine – what a wonderful thing to do and something they will both remember forever – I could never express my feelings and love for Gavin for doing this.

Eventually players’ parents were allowed on the field and we had a ball just hugging kids and coaches, other parents, security guards, just about everyone – and got some great pictures with the national championship trophy. We all hugged with Gavin as a family for minutes I am sure and everyone of us took turns laughing and crying

That field is really big when you are actually standing on it – WOW

We left to go back by the bus and waited for the guys to make their way through the throngs of people still there wanting autographs and pictures and then hightailed it over to the street vendors across from the stadium who were selling “National Champion” t-shirts

A party ensued at the hotel, mostly organized, and we had one last sit-down with our kids and other parents plus hundreds of fans before the boys (who had finally gotten their IDs back from the coaches who kept them to prevent any celebrating during the tournament)left for their own celebration but the bars close at 1AM in Bugaha so they had to bring the party back to Hotel Bulldog. We went to bed about 2AM ourselves but word is the boys stayed up all night and leave today on their charter at about 11 AM. – the “Fresno Lumber Company”, as my good friend Ken Scavo nicknamed our team for their prolific bats, may be a hurting bunch today! A big party and welcome home is planned at the team’s home, Beiden Field in Fresno, for today at 7 PM. Unclear if we will try to make it up there or not. Fresno is in sheer pandemonium and a crowd of as many as 5000 is expected.

To say that this had been a great day would of course be an understatement. Our lives would be changed forever and our boys experienced something that, no matter what good or bad happens in their future, can never be taken away. They are a wonderful group of fun-loving kids who love each other and have kept each other propped up through the good times and not so good times. It is hard to find a way to explain the success of this team or how they came so far, literally a journey that started from nowhere. They were ranked 99th in the nation before the regional tournament in Long Beach three weeks ago, and wake up this morning as #1 and the national champions. How can that be? Did this really happen and are they really the Wonderdogs Karen said they were? You better believe it.

A word about GAVIN – I have tried not to focus in all these messages on my son but rather on the experience this has been more generally. Please allow me to digress from that a bit. I have watched an honest young man grow up exponentially in this past year. Five months ago, we were not sure he was even going to get much playing time this year. His heart and desire determined that though, and he persevered through so much adversity and grew into a man who remains humble and grateful for the blessings he has in his life. He is courageous and caring, loving and fearless – I am so very proud of him but not for his success but rather for the way in which he handled the adversity. That is the measure of us all isn’t it?

Well that is it from Omaha – this thing is bigger than you can imagine and the coverage and attention that the Fresno State Bulldog baseball team has gotten will continue as a story for a long time I am sure. I want to say again how deeply touched we have been by the outpouring of support and affection we have experienced from friends and family. As Karen says, this is really bigger than just us and sharing it with everyone, including people who never watched baseball but watched every one of these games, has been a great joy. We can’t believe where the road has taken us but God was our GPS and he has Gavin exactly where he belongs.

IS THERE A DOG IN THE HOUSE?!?!? WOOOOF!!!

MH Omaha email blog Days 12-13

2008-07-01T17:03:00.000-07:00

It is 2:15 AM on Weds AM and I my brain is going back and forth like a metronome from adrenaline rush to pretty much complete exhaustion. It is coming up to day #13 in Omaha and who could have ever expected that -- when we first came here to Omaha, our only wish was to win one game and not be the first team to go home. Well that all changed, even though it is still groundhog day here. I have taken to calling this "Omaha Island" as it seems so isolated from everything that we know, except baseball, and we just can't seemed to get over the island fever. A brief summary of the last two days here before I just give in to how tired I really am:

> MONDAY began with the usual game day anticipation and breakfast here in the Hilton Garden Inn --- Omaha. We are on a first name basis with the entire staff and they have taken really good care of their extended baseball family here. This place produces people who really care and the CWS is so very important to this city.

> Guys were still riding pretty high from the Sunday whomping (my word, not theirs) of UNC and feeling pretty good about their chances against the Georgia Bulldogs for all the marbles. Georgia is only the #8 seeded team in the country, so they should be relatively easy to play compared to #2 North Carolina, #3 Arizona State, #6 Rice and #7 Univ of San Diego. Did not know much about them other than they had #5 pick in the draft at SS, and a flame-throwing reliever / closer who is projected to go straight into the Mariners lineup as a setup guy.

> the game started on a beautiful evening and our guys played really well all the way around. If you have not seen Tommy Mendonca, our 3rd baseman, you really should -- he is the real deal and has made world-class defensive plays while swing the bat with amazing effectiveness. We put some hits together and played good enough defense to get ahead 6-3 in the 7th inning, only to give up a home run and a few other hits by our closer ( a stud player for us) and lose 7-6. It was the second of only two losses in the CWS and both by just one run. Our 1-2-3 hitters (including Gavin) went a collective 0 for 12 in this one which was surprising and certainly not what we have come to expect -- a down day for them but slack was picked up by others, like our #8 and #9 hitters who both went yard -- this is team baseball. And once again we have shown that it is not about individual performance but rather the collective weaving of efforts of an entire group that produce great results. Our guys were not dejected by their own or others' sub-par performances, but rather they were upset they let a game they might have won slip away somehow.

> on the way out of the stadium after the game, some numskull proceeds to tell Karen that there is bad weather in the forecast for each of the next two days. Well this just sets her off and the Mom in her starts to go to defcon 3 -- how could mother nature prevent her from getting home on time? Why would rain interfere with this event and how could we possibly extend our nearly 2-week trip one more day? She felt trapped and I was scrambling out of the pocket with some really bad meteorological mumbo-jumbo to try to calm her -- "the Argentinean cold front coming in from the southeast would surely push this rain north towards the poor bastards in South Dakota who don't have a College World Series in their backyard". We settled not on my forecast but on putting Kenan on a plane first thing Tuesday morning to return here to Omaha with us.

> We grabbed dinner with Gavin at another local institution -- KING KONG -- which has been around forever and is basically a Greek restaurant selling hamburgers on the side with a stuffed gorilla greeting you at the door -- it was right out of SNL "cheesebuga, cheesbuga, chip, chip". It was a quiet dinner in a bad part of town but was nice just to be on our own for a bit -- Gavin was in good spirits despite his night and the loss by the team -- was quite impressive actually.

> Fresno State has a few cheers that we do -- not many, but the big one is "Is there a dog in the house" to which you appropriately answer loudly "WOOF" and then repeat it several more times. I barked so hard and so often Monday night during the game that I got a headache and had to down a four Motrin to get it under control. I have gotten really good at the "WOOF" though and am looking forward to trying it out on Chi-Chi when I get back -- I am sure it will scare the hell out of her.

> TUESDAY was another catch up with work day and we woke up to a really big thunderstorm and heavy rain. This was not good and Karen declared that there was no way any baseball would be played this day.

> After breakfast, we left for the airport to pick up Kenan and also Marty and Marla (Karen's brother and sister-in law). It would be nice to have some "fresh meat" as we all term it now since we have been so close with so many of the same people throughout the last 2-3 weeks, beginning in Ruston, LA at the WAC tournament. Having Kenan here takes some of the pressure off of not being home and he is such a joy for us and his brother, Gavin, to have around. Kenan asked me for a hat like Gavin's so I sent Gavin a text and he had me come down to the dugout where he threw me a brand new game day hat for Kenan to wear -- he really treasures that and it is another example of just how laid back this all is -- Gavin has time 30 minutes before the game to get his brother a hat and to get it to us. I loved the selfless caring in that.......

> We had lunch with Marty and Marla at the Spaghetti Works where the entire Georgia Bulldogs baseball team was eating. It was still raining, at times hard and we were getting some hail. Game conditions were beginning to look questionable.

> We left for the stadium at around 3:30 and it was raining harder than it had rained all day. I am guessing a couple of inches came down and we could not conceive how a game could get played today. We waited it out though, including spending some time in the Fresno State tailgate tent. We were greeted by the University president who apparently, and miraculously developed an affinity for baseball, as I have never seen him at a game n Fresno in the past 3 years. A word about the "bandwagon" -- in the case of Fresno State baseball, it is alive and well and still taking on all riders which is just fine. These kids don't care how qualified their support is, but are thrilled to have as much of a crowd in the stands cheering for them as we have. The people of Omaha are starting to show overwhelming support for our FS Bulldogs and we were stopped all over tonight after the game with their comments and expressions of support.

> The game began about 30 minutes late and it did not feature and F-16 flyover like the previous night. The "flyover" tonight would consist of 19 hits scoring 19 runs for Fresno State -- amazing and puts us into some records here in Omaha. Offense was prodigious and our raggedy-ass pitching was plenty good enough, and included a gutsy guy who went the last 3 innings who only threw maybe 15-20 innings all year. Gavin got hit by a pitch for the third time in the CWS but the only real injury was to our third base coach who wore his arm out waving so many people in! We got ice though for him, and Gavin. What we loved most about this game, was that we were down 5-0 after the 3rd inning and could have easily folded the tents and started our summer. Instead, our guys have 3 straight innings putting up big "crooked numbers" (baseball jargon) -- even when they mounted a little comeback, we never took our foot off of the gas and just kept battling and won in grand style 19-10.

> We learned after the game tonight that Tommy Mendonca had been selected for Team USA, the US national baseball team and would leave Friday for their camp. This is an amazing honor and one that further demonstrates that he is the "real deal" -- I a sure his stock went sky high this last week for next year's draft for him.

> After the game, 30 family and players met at Old Chicago for pizza and root beer :-) -- and we did what we have done every game night; watch ESPN until the re-run the highlights of our most recent game. I will never get used to seeing these guys on the TV -- watching your own son on ESPN SportsCenter is just plain bizarre.

OK, it is now after 3 AM here in Omaha, and I am feeling it big time. What an incredible day we had at the baseball field and the contrast with yesterday's loss is stark. I have received so many inspirational messages from so many of you but got one today that was particularly good and appropriate and passed on to Gavin -- (from Confucius) it said " our greatest glory is not in never falling, but rather it is picking ourselves up each time we do". The Bulldogs picked themselves up tonight and got through their 6th straight elimination game in the post-season, all the while maintaining a fun-loving, good spirited attitude which I have got to try to get my hands on more of! After writing 5 of these blogs, I can sit here tonight and tell you that we are playing tomorrow night at 7 PM EDT for the NCAA National Championship -- it is almost inconceivable to say. How can this happen to such a bunch of normal kids and how could they be in this situation, when it was never expected of them, let alone dreamed possible? They will wonder this at some point also, but not before they get up tomorrow morning, the 13th groundhog morning, have breakfast, meet and go to the baseball field just like they have been since early February. Expect to see goofing around on the field, dancing in the dugout and hopefully a pitching and hitting clinic. No matter the outcome of tomorrow's game though, champs or runners-up, they are the Dogs most likely to win best in show, my wonderful son among them, and I will hope to never doubt the impossible again.

MH Omaha email blog (Days 8-11)

2008-07-01T16:54:00.000-07:00

We are just wrapping up an amazing Day #11 here in Omaha (yes 11 as in eleven) -- that is exactly 10 more days than I ever wanted to spend in Nebraska, but I can't imagine a better experience anywhere than the one we have had here. In those 11 days, we have only played four games, but the games are only part of the story at the College World Series. While on one hand it is eerily like the movie "Groundhog Day" with Bill Murray, where you get up every day and re-do yesterday, it is strikingly different in that we get to know our own kids better, meet new friends, develop close ties with other player parents and coaches, and generally have in common with a bunch of people what only a very few ever experience -- that is the College World Series and it is unique. It is Disneyland for baseball fans and is an incredible way to spend June. We are so grateful and humbled by the experience -- following are a few more of my thoughts as I journal through the happenings of what to me is one of the really great sporting events out there (thanks for indulging me, again):

> FRIDAY began with us knowing that our game for that day had been postponed to Saturday and that we would play the winner of a Friday elimination game between North Carolina and LSU. It would be an unplanned day off and we would catch a little but of this game along with the Friday game between Stanford and Georgia. Many asked who we wanted to face between UNC and LSU and while most wanted to see LSU's weaker pitching, no one really cared too much -- UNC won sending LSU packing and Georgia beat up Stanford, sending those eggheads back to Palo Alto.

> Thinking we had a Friday game, Kyle flew into town from Wake Forest and joined us -- with 10 days to go before he graduates, we were glad that he made it here to share the experience with us and glad to have him as no one despises UNC more than Kyle!

> Friday marked the start of our second week in the Hilton Garden Inn in Omaha -- we had to send out laundry and the beautiful peonies our good friend Sally bought on a street corner for us right after we arrived had already died and were in need of replacements. The great thing is that you can send out laundry in Omaha for $6 per load and get it all ironed for an additional $1! What a deal.......

> We passed the time here that idle Friday with the thing we are best at -- eating -- and went with 4 players, and friends and girlfriends, to Zesto's across from the Stadium. Zesto's is an institution and has been around for more that 40 years serving hamburgers and shakes. The burger patties there were as thick as hockey pucks and I am never ceased to be amazed at what a baseball player can eat -- most had a double, and several had two! I got the bill here though and it was over $150 -- for burgers, fries and shakes! Wow!

> After lunch, we sent the kids over to the Doorly Zoo, which is really a pretty incredible place. They loved it a spent a few hours there while we (Karen and Sally) shopped up and down 13th Street where all the tents are with logo gear and other stuff. There are decent spots along the way and it is pretty easy to get a cold beer there. Crowds were intense and everything was still pretty muddy from a huge storm that had gone through on Thursday night and made a mess of things. Florida State and Rice gear was selling pretty cheap at that point as they had already left Omaha.

> We ended the day with a late dinner at Stokes, a great Mexican restaurant in the Old Market area with the best chicken enchiladas we have ever had. Gavin walked over to meet us there and it took 5 extra minutes as we was stopped a half dozen times by autograph seekers -- not that anybody knew who he was personally, other than a Fresno State player. We have gotten used to this and it is commonplace everywhere for people to come up and say hello and ask for autographs. Gavin turned 21 on the final day of the Long Beach regional tournament, and it is still taking some getting used to by me to hear him order a margarita or a beer. One of the great joys of the last two weeks though has been hoisting a beer with him in a low-key celebration of a victory or other milestone.

> SATURDAY started as groundhog days usually do -- on a first name basis with all the maids, waitresses and front desk staff at the hotel -- lots of time sitting around with a 6PM game that night -- we usually leave around 3 PM to go over to the stadium and kick around and wait in line for our passes which for some reason can't be given out until an hour before game time. We watched the Stanford team drag themselves across our line on the way to their bus after getting dispatched by Georgia.

> Boys seemed a little tight and not as loose before this Saturday game but maybe it was just me, or maybe they really did get the impact of where they were and were feeling a little pressure -- that is what the media has been predicting in their slightly less than respectful ways

> Security is an interesting thing here and it is just everywhere you look -- in addition to the 4-motorcycle escort to and from each game, there are security guards everywhere. And they are all armed -- "Bugeaters with Berettas" -- very scary to me. We also notice police on the roof of the stadium -- Karen calls them "sharpshooters", but I think the "sharp" part of that title is giving anybody from Nebraska too much credit. Our team bus is met everyday by a bomb-sniffing dog when they unload at the field and before they re-load to come home.

> the game was a close one and our guys played Saturday very well, and probably good enough to win. Easy for us to forget that UNC is the #2 team in the country and there is a reason they are there and have been runners up for the last two years. One bad pitch and we get behind 4-3 and they bring in the flame-throwing sophomore who fans 5 of our guys. Game over and we are now done to one do-or-die game on Sunday.

> Team was a little dejected to lose a close one, but, put in perspective, they thought having a chance to play one game for the right to play in the championship bracket was something they would have been elated with a week ago

> We had a quick post-game dinner in the restaurant and watched the ESPN webgems where a play from our game was #1 -- our 1B makes a great catch in foul territory and fires to 3rd to get the guy who is tagging from 2nd -- one of the best plays we have ever seen and both those guys are the real deal. Kyle was the most upset as he had to go home and back to school with only seeing a loss to the gumfeet tarheels.

> Injury report -- this starts with Kenan who was pitching in practice Saturday afternoon and took a grounder off the mouth, cutting his lip and busting a tooth. I got this message during the game but had to hold onto it myself until afterward instead of telling his mother immediately who would have had the game stopped and us on a bus back to the OC in the 5th. He is fine and we are so grateful for our friend and babysitter, Jenny, and her family for taking such good care of the boys while we are gone and this little emergency was handled. Gavin has a nagging problem on his side from sliding and has reopened the scabs several times now and it extends almost 8 inches down his right side -- it actually bled through his pants (ala Curt Schilling) on Saturday night after the slide into home -- seems to hurt less after wins.

> T-shirt update -- this thing has taken off unbelievably -- "Underdogs to WonderDogs" is the biggest thing going. In Fresno, there was a line around the block at the Bulldog Shop and combined with online, sold $15,000 in the first four hours. And that was before Sunday night. While we were walking back from the stadium we saw racks of our T-shirts in several shops and they were going like hotcakes for $20 each. It is another incredible story but fewer and fewer are buying the underdog thing at this point.

> SUNDAY started out at the First Presbyterian Church of Omaha -- got Kyle to go with us but Gavin was sleeping in. It was a really nice experience and a chance for us to take a rest and focus on these blessings as well as to pray for so many others. Nothing in Omaha is far from the CWS at this time of year but on the way out, the pastor at the door greeted us and learned why we were in town and told us that he has roots in Fresno and is a big Bulldog fan. We held up the line at the door for 5 minutes, but nobody in Omaha is in too big of a hurry.

> Had to take the Tarheel-hating Kyle to the airport to get back for his last 10 days before he graduates -- he was bummed to miss the game, and with delays, never even made it home to see anything on TV. Instead, as he drove home from Greensboro, he called Kenan who gave him the play-by-play by phone -- he said Kenan was so excited he could barely talk.

> We had lunch at the Twisted Fork and saw more of the boys before the game. They were maybe the loosest we have see them and really felt like, win or lose, it would be great and I think this attitude really helped in the game.

> We got to the game around 3PM again to wait in line but since there was no game before us, we got in a little early and were able to watch all of batting practice. This field and stadium is so incredible, and there is so much history, you just sit there being absorbed in it all. I've tried not to do it here, and I am humbled by it all, but the feeling of seeing our son out there is indescribable and almost surreal, knowing he is living what will surely be the memory of a lifetime with friends and teammates he will have forever.

> The game began and had that old familiar peaceful feeling at the outset -- it was a truly gorgeous afternoon weather-wise and the game was one of the best we have seen. We had a heroic warrior-like performance from a pitcher who was just barely able to go, clutch hitting (but still left 12 on base), and the best defensive plays I have seen ever in college baseball. Their only run was on a walk and we had a world-class effort all the way around for the third time against the number #2 team in the nation, for the third time. I suggested that they call ASU and ask them how they recovered from a drubbing by the mighty Bulldogs -- don't know if it was evident on TV but the Tarheels were doing a lot of whining throughout the game which is just an indication of how much on the ropes they really were.

> My good friend and hero, Ken Scavo, who I love like a brother, called for the second ass-whipping in the CWS after calling it against Rice. He called it against UNC last night questioning the tarheel manhood and their powder blue, pinky drinking ways. Bulldogs delivered on this call again and Gavin carried the message on the field to the entire team.

> We met the players again at the bus in pandemonium and chaos with TV crews, media and radio everywhere. They are still signing autographs and having their pictures taken (often with young girls) and were just enjoying the moment -- lots of hugs and kisses to go around. We met for dinner with about 30 players + family and had a nice Omaha Capital Ale to celebrate.

> I was woken by a phone call from home this AM to say that we had a broken window at home -- fearing a break-in, Jenny called me but as we talked through it, she found the remnants of a water balloon stuck in a bush, which I chalk up entirely to a disgruntled Tarheel fan in the neighborhood (or Klug).

Virtually everything that has transpired here has been unexpected and surprising. We are living something I never thought possible which should be a lesson to me and all of us to dream bigger I guess. I have spent 11 days in the same hotel room in downtown Omaha, maybe 20 hours in a very narrow seat at Rosenblatt Stadium, and some very precious times with Karen and Gavin that can never be taken away no matter what the outcome from here on out. I have watched Gavin perform on national TV, and in front of what is now a crowd totaling more than 75,000 people at Rosenblatt Stadium. Through it all, I am proud of many things, but most impressed by the sincere humility he (and his teammates) exhibit and the true child-like love they have for this game of baseball. I will never see him quite the same though as this baseball experience has made him mature beyond his 21 years -- many of you know that this has not been an easy road for him but God cleared the path and, as we have said to him many times, he is exactly and precisely where he belongs.

I think I have received literally hundreds of emails and messages from all of you and we have read them together and many with Gavin and friends. Your care, good wishes, enthusiasm and excitement for Gavin and the Bulldogs is just so heartwarming and we are overwhelmed with the outpouring by you all. We are just so incredibly grateful to each and every one of you for your support and we love all of you. We have no idea, as usual, what is to come over the next few days -- God only knows -- but we look forward to it and to sharing this wonderful experience with each of you when we return home soon.

2008-07-01T15:14:00.000-07:00

MH Posts from Omaha -- Days 5-7

2008-07-01T13:01:00.000-07:00

We are just now settling down after our 7th straight day in Omaha. No one could have predicted this and we certainly were not prepared for it, logistically or even emotionally. But just being here in the middle of this tradition and excitement is exhilarating as well as exhausting. It has been one of the great times of our lives though in so many ways and we are so grateful. If you will indulge me (close this email now if not), I will continue with some of our thoughts and descriptions of this experience here in Omaha since Monday when I last reported:

> We were pretty shocked to see that Florida State was the first team in
the tournament on Monday to be eliminated as they were really good -- it meant that Gavin's high school classmate there, Jack Rye and he would not have the chance we had hoped to play on the same field during this tournament. Jack was drafted in the 13th round by the New York Yankees and will be deciding what to do this summer -- a great kid and sorry for no FSU /FSU matchup

> I meant to also pass along that on Sunday we went to the Omaha Zoo
which is one of the best we have ever seen -- a few too many bugeaters
there though, and some of them probably should have been in cages
instead of the animals

> Tuesday we had lunch with the guys before they loaded the bus about
3PM for the UNC game -- 4 police escorts this time

> We stood in line for parent tix (passes though the school for a long time at the stadium before the game; we were waiting for the LSU / Rice game to get over which LSU ended up winning in the bottom of the 9th. That game eliminated Rice (our Sunday 17-5 victim) and sent them packing -- I was happy about that as I had learned the day before that their 8th inning pitcher (Cole St Clair from Foothill HS in OC) had thrown at Gavin intentionally in retaliation for one of their guys getting hit accidentally earlier in the game -- have a nice flight Owls! Hope you enjoyed Omaha........

> We finally got in the stadium about an hour before game time -- kids
seemed very loose and unaffected again

> UNC has a ton of fans here (not as many as LSU) including Roy Williams
who I saw in the stands

> Rosenblatt is an incredible venue but it is a bit tired and the City
of Omaha just entered into a 25 year deal with the NCAA to keep it in
Omaha with the city agreeing to a new stadium -- there are great views
from all of the seats but apparently when it was built the people of
Omaha had much skinnier backsides and were much shorter bugeaters than
now -- not very comfortable

> Karen was very nervous before the game but I honestly had a good feeling -- I have done so much reading since getting here and in
looking at UNC, it was pretty clear that they had not played anybody very difficult to get here -- they had beaten Elon, St Mary's, Coastal
Carolina and Eastern Carolina -- we had to beat 4 top ten teams to get here

> It was a really good baseball game and we battled through some adversity in it for sure using 5 pitchers in of the best team pitching games I have ever seen -- Gavin had a great night going 2 for 4 with a sac bunt but had a difficult night in the outfield getting to some balls that would have been highlight reel material if he gets to them -- no errors, just some plays he really wanted

> the T-shirts continued to get lots of attention and the cameras were on them from everywhere -- literally

> At the end of this 5-3 win, I have to say we were in some shock, particularly in light of our pitching situation, but no one was more shocked than UNC -- won't soon forget the expressions on their faces

> The crowd around the bus after the game was enormous -- maybe 500-700 people with 100+ media doing post-game coverage and interviews

> We finally got back to the hotel about 10 and met the boys at Old Chicago for pizza and a few beers before their 11:30 curfew kicked in

> Tuesday had been a wonderful day and the game was the biggest any of these kids had ever played -- nobody gave us a chance (Vegas odds were 25-1) but we beat #2 in the nation UNC convincingly and we are now in the "final four" -- I am reluctant to say it but with a 2-0 record, we are just three wins away from the national championship. Of the last 20 champions, 18 were 2-0 at this point like us now....... WOW!

> Wednesday would be an off day and a chance for me to get some work done and try and maintain some level of normalcy

> the team began their day visiting the Omaha Childrens Hospital where they gave out balls and signed autographs -- it was really a nice thing for them to do and I hear the children loved it but our guys may have gotten even more out of it than the kids -- they may be going back tomorrow

> we had lunch with 5 of the players in the Old Market part of town which is an old restored warehouse district with lots of restaurants, bars and shopping -- great place and Omaha really does not lack for good food and cool places

> I avoided numerous confrontations with Cornhusker fans who don't seem to acknowledge that it is not football season and their baseball team is not playing yet they continue to only wear “N” gear

> Had a couple of very nice talks with Gavin about what all of this meant and the far-reaching impact the College World Series was having on him and us -- he is very humble and unassuming about it all really (even though they have played in front of 45,000 fans in the last two games) and agrees that there is a feeling of God at work in all of this in so many ways for so many people -- not in "winning" but in bringing people together, humility, and showing us the unexpected

> Karen made a deal with Gavin that if he got 2 hits in the UNC game that she would arrange a massage for he and Dany Grubb, hid best friend and catcher -- they love this as they are pretty beat up and have now played almost 80 games since early February -- so the went over to the Omaha Tantric House of Massage (no joke) and got in for an hour each -- they had a great hour and it helped them with some of their aches and pains

> Still trying to kill time, we drove over the Missouri river to Iowa (less than a mile) and saw a really crappy movie -- The Happening -- donate your money to charity and do not see this M. Night Shyamalan joke of a movie

> We got back in time to catch a little of the Stanford - Miami game and were actually not that surprised to see #1 Miami eliminated last night -- Stanford was unranked and this is just another example of the east coast bias in college sports ranking a Miami higher than they should have been and ignoring a lot of talented teams in the West

> Thursday was another down day and another chance to get caught up on work and get some laundry done

> I did a couple of interviews about the "Underddogs to Wonderdogs" T-shirts for ESPN, a Fresno TV station and the Omaha Review and Journal -- these thing have really taken on a life of their own and we have now given out 11 dozen having received a shipment of 4 dozen more today

> Shirts were such a big hit that I got a nice visit from the Fresno State Athletic Director and Athletic Department Director of Marketing -- seems they are getting calls from all over the country about these things and the slogan is exploding with the team's success and only expected t grow more. They told me that they appreciated and were fine with what we had done (using their logo but our idea and word) but now had 4 attorneys working on it and and were licensing the Underdogs to Wonderdogs slogan with the Bulldog emblem for sale -- they were nice enough to ask if I was OK with that and said that royalties from it will be specifically directed to a baseball scholarship fund -- as of 4PM today the shirts were appearing on the school's website for sale and available for sale at the Bulldog apparel outlets in Fresno at noon tomorrow -- amazing!

We were planning today as our last down day before game tomorrow and began watching the UNC - LSU game this evening around 6PM. With UNC up 2-0 in the 1st inning, a huge thunderstorm moved into the city and it poured here this evening causing that game to be postponed. That then has caused our game tomorrow to be postponed until Saturday at 6 PM CDT. That means an extra down day for everyone -- oh well it beats the alternative. With our other kids (Kenan and Garrett) finishing school this week, they are at home and we miss them and are honestly a bit homesick and maybe with as much as another week to go here in Omaha for us. They are staying with our 27-year old babysitter who also babysat Kyle and Gavin when they were 5. But this experience is just too good to be true and we continue to just pinch ourselves everyday and to be thankful for this wonderful opportunity. We so appreciate all of your support and interest in what is going on here and are grateful for so many caring friends.
Go Dogs!!

Dogs returning home

2008-07-01T12:35:00.000-07:00

Message received today from the White House

2008-07-01T11:28:00.000-07:00

Mark – my name is Caleb Graves and I work with Karen Keller who forwarded me a message from you regarding the Fresno State Bulldogs. I’m the sports liaison here in the Office of Public Liaison and at this time we are looking into having another NCAA Champions Day this fall. We would be inviting the spring champions (including Fresno State) that were unable to attend our last NCAA event on June 24. Right now we are trying to see if we will be able to get the time on the President’s calendar and as I learn more I will make sure to keep you updated. Thanks.

Caleb

MH Notes from Omaha (Days 3 and 4)

2008-06-30T18:14:00.000-07:00

A few more thoughts from Omaha days #3 and 4 while writing this from a plane about to leave Denver 5 hours late for Omaha:

Sunday started with breakfast at team hotel with the boys who were a little nervous but all-in-all loose and goofy as ever.

I received the annual Happy Fathers Day greeting -- usually playng golf on this day but happy to be in Omaha even without knowing what was to come that day.

We learned just after breakfast that 10-year old Little League all-stars were announced and Kenan had made it -- it was the topper of an unbelieavble weekend for him. Entire Bulldog team gave him standing-O at breakfast.

We passed out 6 dozen T-shirts to fans -- that Karen can work that stuff. We had to order 3 dozen more for Tuesday game and I am not sure that will be enough.

Boys left for Rosenblatt about 1030AM for their 1PM game. All dressed, they loaded the bus and got police escort to the stadium by two motorcyle cops.

Got to the field at about 1130AM and parked in somebody's front yard for $20 -- cheap compared to an SC game.

Met other fans and parents at the pass gate where we pick up tickets -- sure could have used a beer (or 3) at thus point.

Went inside and found our seats in Bulldog fan section about 15 rows behind the dugout -- watched batting practice and noticed we seemed to really be mashing the ball.

Karen's Dad and Mom arrived about noon after flying in just for the day returning from an east coast trip -- they really enjoyed the whole thing.

It was very hot and muggy at game time and we seemed to be outnumbered by Rice fans maybe 2 to 1 -- reverse that for noise level though. "Is there a Dog in the House?? WOOF!!"

I had a sign made for Father Day that I carried in -- it said " My son sent me to Omaha for Fathers Day -- Thanks #29!" I don't think it got on ESPN but did get seen by local media. Gavin saw it before game and laughed.

We were interviewed in the stands by NCAA.com and Fresno press about the T-shirts and the meaning of this game on Fathers Day.

The game finally started and our guys still seemed loose. Danny Muno started the 4-run 4th but I think Gavin's double down the right field line (again with 2 strikes and 2 outs) that brought in two runs and the way we ran the bases set the tone for the whole game -- did I mention how much I loved that kid??

My good friend and hero Ken Scavo (who hates Chinese food) asked for a real ass-whipping of Rice and that is just what happened over the next 7 innings and the game was not really as close as the 17-5 score indicated.

We weren't supposed to be able to play with these guys -- Rice #6 in the nation -- and pretty confident at the start but in shock by the end. Karen overheard somebody in the bathroom ask "where is Fresno anyway?" It is the place where the baseball team that beat 5 top 10 teams in the last 13 days is from!

We celebrated post-game at the bus waiting for the guys to come out. Gavin did post-game interviews for almost an hour with our pitcher and a couple other guys.

We finally went back to the hotel around 530 PM and met in the 5-star steakhouse in the hotel for dinner in a room with a big screen where we watched the highlights of the their "shocking" win over Rice and also the last 4 holes of the US Open -- with a good bottle of red wine, it does not get much better than that.

I woke up early and got on a 6AM plane back to OC to get Kenan back for his last 3 days of school and the start of baseball for him. Then went to work in LA for 6 hours before the marathon to get back to Omaha where I hope to land about 3AM Tues morning but in plenty of time for Tuesday night's game. UNC will be tough and we are really thin at pitcher with our #3 guy now out. Oh well, this kind of thing has been going on for 4 weeks and we have won 13 of last 15 games against some of the best.

All-in-all it was the best Fathers' Day I could have ever dreamed of, but then again, every day watching your son play baseball at the College World Series in Omaha is like Fathers' (and Mothers') Day. Thanks for all of your support and kind thoughts -- it has meant so much to us that so many people have taken such an interest. Go Dogs!!

MH Notes from Omaha (Day 1and 2)

2008-06-30T18:10:00.000-07:00

We are just closing down the second of our two days in Omaha at the 2008 College World Series and it has been a remarkable experience for us all, and the first game for Gavin and Fresno State is not even until tomorrow. Truth be told, Omaha is not as bad as its reputation, even though there are way too many Cornhusker fans here. The people everywhere are incredible and they really open up the city for this event -- it is incredible. I wanted to share some of our thoughts and experiences since I am still not able, even at 1230 at night, to wipe the smile off my face:

> Weather has been warm and clear, with some thunderstorms predicted early in the week
> We are at team hotel and it is decked out for the Fresno State Bulldogs, including hats and shirts being worn by workers -- even team bus is red
> The crowds around the stadium are unbelievable and parking is generally in the front yards of houses in the neighborhood
> There are vendors and tents everywhere and they sell everything with the CWS logos and every team logo here -- we will need another suitcase to bring it all home
> When Karen saw all the "stuff" in the first tent with Bulldog logos, all next to Miami / Stanford / UNC / Florida State, she broke down and cried (for happy)
> On Friday, we went over to the stadium and met the team bus arriving at about 1PM for their only on-field practice -- all the teams got 90 scheduled minutes one right after the other
> Team pics in front of Rosenblatt were first and the guys were mobbed (literally) by fans
> There seem to be an incredible number of 18-22 year old girls here -- not coincidental I am sure
> Constant autograph requests and pictures with fans from everywhere
> Practice started (open to the public) and there were at least 5000 people in attendance -- no joke -- autograph requests continued by hundreds of kids and girls behind the dugout
> Coach surprised us by walking over to us in the front row and telling Kenan to hurry up and jump over the dugout and get on the field with them for practice -- our 10-year old was on Rosenblatt field for over an hour shagging balls in outfield and hanging with his brother -- this was a special time and Kenan was flying
> After practice, they got a "no betting on baseball" lecture from the NCAA and then came up for a one-hour autograph session -- team sat at a long table and signed until the last of what I am sure was almost 1000 fans came through
> Opening Ceremonies began with BBQ dinner and concert for the all players on Friday night -- we found Gavin, and Jack Rye was not too far away so they spent some time chatting -- pretty cool....
> Ceremony included a parade into the stadium by each of the teams which reminded us very much of the Olympics -- videos played in the background showed the teams in action and Gavin's grand slam kept playing in the background over and over again as they marched in
> Ceremony (30,000 people there) ended in the most incredible fireworks display we have ever seen -- it made Big Bang Friday at the Angels look like sparklers in your front yard.
> Saturday was pretty quiet with a 11AM practice -- I guess Kenan did pretty well the day before because Coach grabbed him and put him on the bus with the boys and took him on the bus to practice with them! Gavin and Kenan both loved it!
> Dinner tonite at Gorats which is Warren Buffet's favorite restaurant in town -- it was a step back in time and the second best steak I have had in the last 5 years (first best was last night)
> Boys appear to be very loose and just seem used to their now fourth weekend in a row on the road.

We are getting ready for tomorrow's fun and God only knows what is in store for us all. Karen came up with the slogan "UNDERDOGS TO WONDERDOGS" and had it made into T-shirts -- everybody here seems to love it and we have handed out 6 dozen to Bulldog fans. It is such an accurate description of where we have come from this season -- look for us in the stands.

Happy Fathers' Day to all of you -- this will be one of the most enjoyable ones I could ever imagine!

Go Bro!!

2008-06-27T16:56:00.001-07:00