RIP Damn Good Dawg June 28, 2008

Uga VI (”Uga V’s Whatchagot Loran”) 1999-2008

 

So I’m sitting here at Duke Medical Center waiting to meet with another doctor. Luckily they have free wi-fi so I was was taking advantage of the time to read up on all my daily Georgia news. I have a list of blogs and news sites that I check daily. Religiously.

Anyways, I clicked on the ajc first (I don’t know why I do this since they are always last on breaking UGA news) and then I looked at Rivals for a sec, then onto Scout. That’s where I saw it - Uga VI has passed away, just shy of his 10th birthday. Josh Kendall, who writes for the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, posted the story on Scout as well this morning.

For those of you non-Dawg fan readers that visit my blog, you are sorely mistaken if you think this isn’t big news. It is very big, just ask Sports Illustrated, ESPN, the prestigious Downtown Athletic Club in NY, or even Clint Eastwood. Any and all Uga’s past, present, or future will always be big news - and not just to those of us who live and breathe all things Dawg.

I’ll be honest, the story stunned me for a moment. Its been a tough week already. Whether you’re a diehard Diamond Dawg fan like myself or not, every Bulldawg fan was heartsick over the miracle run to the College World Series that ended without the grand trophy. And Bulldawg Nation is none too pleased with Billy Humphrey’s recent visit to the pokey and consequently his well-deserved expulsion from the team. So seeing the headline that The Legendary Uga VI had passed was just more sad news on top of bad news.

Its sort of fitting when you think about it though. Of the six Uga’s, none have been more successful and more lauded than Uga VI. He was a winner in every sense of the word, owning more victories (87-27) than any other Uga, including the National Championship holders Uga I and Uga III. He has 2 SEC Championships, 3 BCS berths w/ 2 wins in the Sugar Bowl (2003 & 2008), and more wins over top 20 ranked opponents than any other Uga in history. Georgia athletics has 35 National Championships in a variety of sports. Nieteen of those came under Uga Vi’s tenure. How ’bout that Dawg! So, after his years of service to the fans who loved him and the great state of Georgia, it is no surprise that he’d choose to leave now. His passing just reminds us that despite a tough loss in the CWS, our title as the most succesful Athletic Department in all of Div 1 college sports this year is just the beginning of great things to come.

 

 

As much as he was a gentle giant and loved the attention from children & adults alike, he was a badass, make no mistake. Mr. Seiler once said he was affectionately called “The 4-Legged Beast.” Two seasons ago after I’d moved back to the states Dad, Rob & I had a picture taken with Uga before the South Carolina game. Now I’ve been around Uga’s all my life, but this one nearly scared the hell out of me! He was a monstrous 65 lbs and was especially ornery that morning. Bulldawg fan or not, I knew I’d draw back a nub if I got too close!

I could spend all day talking about Uga’s importance to The University of Georgia, his fixture in college football, his notorius status as the best college mascot, and his foray onto Hollywood’s big screen. But, beyond who he was to his fans and the public, he was one of many beloved family pets to the gracious Seiler family of Savannah, Georgia. It is astounding to think about all that family has sacrificed over the years (personally, professionally, physically, and monetarily) for Georgia. With a heavy heart and a spirit of sympathy: thank you to the Seiler family for giving us Uga. He was indeed a Damn Good Dawg.

 

 

I’d forgotten that Uga VI was named after Larry Munson’s partner in crime, Loran Smith. In typical Loran fashion, he wrote eloquently today about his namesake in the best tribute I’ve read.

All of Bulldawg Nation can’t wait to meet UgaVII this season and see how he extends the family legacy and winning traditions of Georgia. And, just my two cents Seiler family, but I really hope Uga VII is named for Larry Munson. Next to Uga, there’s not a better DGD.

 

Go Dawgs!

 

There Is No Joy In UGAville… June 26, 2008

 …The mighty Diamond Dawgs have struck out.

 

Damn.

I do not remember a time of late where I felt so heartbroken about a Georgia loss. It ticked me off when our Women’s Tennis Team had their dreams of a National Championship dashed by Yech’s much lesser program. When the Dawgs lost to South Carolina and UcheaT last year, it made me so mad my blood boiled! I screamed, ranted, & raved for days.

But watching the Diamond Dawgs work so hard, capture some of the most thrilling wins I’ve ever witnessed, and then lose it all in two games… Heartbreaking just doesn’t quite describe it.

Kit and I were talking after the game Wednesday and everytime he’d even mention it, I couldn’t talk about it. I still don’t want to talk about it.

I feel crushed and I’m just a fan. I cannot begin to imagine how low Perno and the team feels.This is no doubt the most talented team to ever grace Foley Field to date. They deserved that CWS trophy. I refuse to believe Fresno State was the Cinderella the media made them out to be - the facts are on my side. And I refuse to believe they wanted it more, they were more talented, or they deserved it more. Again, the facts are on my side. So I have to believe Fresno State just played a couple of better games than we did. That’s all.

When I woke up this morning and read some more news on the Diamond Dawgs and their magical year, all I could think about was a line from my brother’s favorite story (really a poem) when we were kids. At bedtime our parents would read to us and we could each pick out 1 story we wanted to hear. Rob almost always picked Casey At The Bat. 

“Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright,
The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light,
And somewhere men are laughing, and little children shout;
But there is no joy in Mudville — mighty Casey has struck out.”

Next year’s team will be full of new faces, personalities, and eventual stars - no doubt. Coach Perno continually proves that he’s one of the best recruiters in all of college baseball. So as heartbroken as I am right now, I know this isn’t the last you’ve heard from the Diamond Dawgs at the College World Series.

Thank you Coach Perno and the Diamond Dawgs from this diehard fan, for a fantastic season. Congratulations on making it to the Championship game - finishing 2nd is an accomplishment you should all be extremely proud of. I know I sure am.

 

 

Go Dawgs! 

Dawgs Chop Trees June 22, 2008

 

Unbelievable! Dawgs win!!! After last night’s win by the Tarheels, Georgia is now the only undefeated team to enter the Championship series on Monday. Despite Josh Fields nearly giving the game away (4 freakin’ runs in the 9th?) we escape with the win and sweep the bracket.

I’m a huge Diamond Dawg fan and a true homer, but I never thought we’d get past Miami. Hell, I was worried that Stanford would even up the series and force a game two for today. Never in my life am I so glad to say that I was way wrong!

Perno made a big deal to the team about how history repeats itself. A little lame, but it worked apparently. His 1990 National Championship team had to get by a heavily favored Stanford team looking for 3 consecutive CWS titles. And now this squad had to do the same. Whatever works.

I happen to think it has a lot more to do with redemption than history. Last year’s pathetic season was too much of an embarrassment for arguably the most talented team we’ve ever seen at Georgia. This year though has been all about hard work, tough opponents, confidence - maybe even borderline arrogance. But mostly, its been about a dertermined group of athletes focused on redemption. Lately I’ve been seeing this quote from Gordon Beckham in a lot of articles that speaks to that edge:

“We came here to play, and now we’re in the National Championship Game, and you couldn’t ask for more. All we wanted to do was be playing on the last day.” [emphasis added]

Every game it seems someone different in the lineup has a brilliant day. I think back recently to Olson’s MVP performance throughout the Regionals & Supers. Peisel’s clutch hits against Miami in game one at the CWS.  Stephen Dodson’s command pitching & Matt Cerione’s 2-out, bases loaded, single to win game two against Stanford. And then yesterday’s parade of hits by Rich Poythress to send Stanford home & sweep our bracket. Outstanding.

I’ll be biting my nails Monday night, for sure. But more than anything, I’ll be watching to see which Bulldawg gets his due for another brilliant day. Hopefully it will be accompanied by many of these…

 

Go Dawgs!

 

Btw, There’s a great article up this morning on espn.com about yesterday’s game. In it there’s a great quote from Rich Poythress where he talks about his injury last year and how that affected his attitude coming into this season. It earns him Damn Good Dawg status for life:

“Poythress had shown plenty of “want to” in the fall of 2006 and last spring. After tearing an ACL while trying to avoid a tag during his first at-bat of a fall scrimmage, he worked hard at rehabilitation and was lucky enough to be able to return four months later.

“That was a reality check. I told a bunch of people that more than anything it made me appreciate the opportunities I get every day,” Poythress said. “A million kids would give the shirts off their back to play baseball for the University of Georgia. I’m still trying to take advantage of that.”  

I’ll say it again…GO DAWGS!!!

 

The Year of the Bulldawg June 11, 2008

 

Well, not quite, but if we win the MNC this season, we’ll certainly have a fantastic argument.

I hope all Dawg fans know that the University of Georgia is the only athletic program to have had:

1. a team play (not to mention win BIG) in a BCS Bowl
2. the Men’s Basketball Program in the NCAA Tournament
3. the Women’s Basketball Program in the NCAA Tournament
4. the Baseball Team compete in the College World Series 

And that list doesn’t include another National Title in Gymnastics, Equestrian National Title, Swim Team in the NCAA final top ten (Diving program as well), Softball Team competing in the Regional Playoffs, Women’s Tennis NCAA Tournament final top ten finish, and another National Title for the Men’s Tennis Program.

I’m sure I’m leaving something out here, but that’s all I can think of for now.

Unbelievable year. It’s great to be a Georgia Bulldawg!

 

Go Dawgs!

No, he’s not bitter… June 11, 2008

 

I was just reading a piece from the Red and Black about the Diamond Dawgs going to the College World Series and the last lines nearly made me spit out my sweet tea!

“but Wolfpack coach Elliott Avent was less than enthusiastic when asked how they compared with the juggernauts of his league, including a possible first-game matchup with Miami.

“I could say something, but that’s not fair,” he said. “Georgia’s a
great baseball team, they’ll found out in maybe a week how they really compare.”

I can’t help but laugh really. This is just one of several snotty comments from this guy. Unbelievable. And who could forget him making an issue out of Dodson’s dirty hat on Friday. After realizing Dodson was not trying to cheat, he still insinuated on national television that something was up. And this is the moral compass of the program? Nice.

All week I’ve seen postings on mesage boards from NC State fans talking about how classless our team was during that series. Apparently its absolutely uncouth and in poor form for a player to have un unbottoned jersey. Seriously? And we’ve been slammed because some players would “flip their bats” after slamming a home run, or take their helmets off as they were crossing home plate. To the wolfpack this is absolutely inexcusable and a display of poor sportsmanship.

Yeah, but a Pitching Coach giving Georgia fans the finger and quotes like the one from Head Coach Avent above are completely within Emily Post’s guidelines of respectable behavior? Was it an accident that their pitchers hit 8 of our players (Gordon Beckhmam was hit 3 times), all above the letters, and always when they were losing? Oh, and let’s not forget what NC State pitcher Drew Taylor intentionally did to Lyle Allen right after getting burned AGAIN for a home run by Joey Lewis. I guess that’s what passes for class & good sportsmanship by Avent & Co., huh?

I went to Saturday’s game and the fans around us couldn’t have been nicer. Maybe that had something to do with the fact they were whippin’ our asses at the time, I don’t know. But we met some very gracious people who had nothing but great things to say about the Classic City, our fans, and our program. Too bad the NC State program didn’t share the same warm, fuzzy feelings of their fans.

Whatever Coach Avent. You showed what poor sports and sore losers you & your team really are. With this behavior and pathetic attitude its no surprise to anyone that your program can’t earn a trip to Omaha. Oh well, we’ll be happy to send you a postcard. Thanks for the memories asshat.

 

Go Dawgs!

Blog Fail June 11, 2008

 

So when I logged on to this here corner of the internet, I was for a moment a little afraid that WordPress would fire back a quick ”REJECTED!”-esque response. To my surprise, I apparently do not rank amongst the list of official M.I.A. bloggers afterall. Wonders never cease.

Anyhoo, I have no legitimate excuse except that life has handed me a few dips and turns as of late.  Winter term was a bitch, to put it mildly, and spring term quite frankly was even worse. As it turns out, planning for a summer break was a smart move on my part; unfortunately an act of necessity rather than frivolity though. No, I did not fail or get kicked out! << Shut it Bill >> But for the last 7 weeks I’ve been dealing with a health situation that’s had to take priority. I go in for surgery again tomorrow for the 3rd time, and most definitely the last. So, a big thanks to those that have prayed and continue to do so. They’re much appreciated and coveted. XOXO

I’m gonna be back in Athens by early July, come hell or high water dammit. Classes don’t start for me until after Labor Day, so I’m determined to have some fun this summer and get ready for Georgia football in the Fall. I’m officially a grown-up season ticket holder this year and I’m not missing a single home game. Go Dawgs!! 

Speaking of which… everyone who knows me knows that I love baseball (Go Braves! But you suck Glavine & Hampton) and have always loved the Diamond Dawgs. I actually got to go to a game Saturday (big mistake in retrospect, but it was worth it!) I got to meet Brian Jordan, who was so gracious & funny btw, and will have that pic posted soon. It’s on Rob’s phone at the moment so maybe I’ll get it by Christmas. Hint Hint.

Anyways, I’m determined to watch the Diamond Dawgs play Da U on Saturday night, regardless of being hopped up on pain meds. And I’ll be on my knees for the duration praying for a win. I’m so tired of seeing us go straight to the loser’s bracket. I’m pretty sure either Holder or Dodson will start Saturday night leaving Montgomery for game 2. For the love of Pete, please let the pitching be solid! That’s our only hope of getting to game 3, imo.  Montgomery is a sure thing, but Holder, Dream Weaver, Dodson, and even Moreau have not looked on their A game more times that I can recall lately. And Josh Fields’s last 2 outings were shaky at best. Good God, he looked downright embarrassing at times Sunday. Not good.

No worries about the lineup though. Guys like Massanari, Allen, Peisel, Olson, Cerione (what a cutie pie!), and Poythress have been hot and are conistent enough to even get our pitching staff out of jams. Oh, and then there’s this guy too, Mr. All-American ….

 

 

What is it with guys and Guitar Hero? Whatever, the kid is a freak with a bat and I’m just glad he’s still a Dawg gunning for the trophy in Omaha.

And, I hate to end things on a sad note, but I just got an email saying former Georgia QB John Rauch passed away yesterday. He was way before our time, but you can’t be a true Dawg without a little knowledge of Mr. Rauch. He did what Herschel did and what Stafford, Knowshon & Co. are dreaming of doing this season: Won the National Championship. I’m proud to say I was in Sanford when he was inducted into UGA’s Circle of Honor a few years back. It was one of the few times I ever had to hand my Dad a tissue. He was the epitome of a Damn Good Dawg and his accomplishments on the field & in coaching are legendary. Rest in peace Mr. Rauch.

So I guess that’s all for now y’all. Thank you again for all of the well wishes, cards, flowers, phone calls, food, and espcially the love!

 

Go Dawgs!