Blog post

June 9, 2009 [LINK / comment]

The 'Hoos go to Omaha!

Unless you live in Virginia, the nickname "Wahoos" (or "'Hoos" for short) may not be familiar to you. But if the U.Va. baseball team keeps winning as they head to the College World Series in Omaha later this week, the rest of the country will learn real fast. The University's football and basketball teams have shown occasional moments of excellence over the past couple decades, but they usually fall short when the day of the Big Game comes. Maybe the baseball team will do better. U.Va. overcame the heartbreaking extra-inning loss to Ole Miss on Friday, and won the next two games over the weekend, earning their first-ever berth to the Final Eight series in Omaha. It's a double elimination tournament, not really a "world series" per se, however. The final series is a three-game matchup between the top two remaining teams. The Cavaliers play against the LSU Tigers this Saturday night. See virginiasports.com.

Coors Field update

The Coors Field diagrams have been revised, showing the lights, and with greater detail in the profiles. There are a couple corrections in the angles of the grandstand. That page also features four fine photos from John Minor, taken on a sunny day in Denver. "Rocky Mountain High...."

Coincidentally, or not, the Rockies just finished a remarkable triumphant four-game sweep on the road in St. Louis. They are still in last place in the NL West, but the Cardinals have been toppled from the top spot in the NL Central, giving way to the Brewers.

Nats demote Hanrahan

After giving him a second chance, hoping against hope, the Washington Nationals have replaced Joel Hanrahan with Mike MacDougal as their closer. I'm sorry to say it, but it's about time. See MLB.com. The Nats open a three-game series against Cincinnati this evening, but bad weather may force yet another change of schedule.