Baseball Cats pile it on ...

by JL Blue on Mar 12, 2008 11:49 AM EDT in Baseball Comment 7 comments

Don't look now, UK faithful, but your Kentucky Baseball Cats are threatening to make the Bluegrass college baseball country.

The program has long been a good one in an unthinkably tough conference. Former coach Keith Madison coached 85 players either drafted or who signed professional contracts in 25 seasons at the helm, and that includes an impressive 14 who found their way to the big leagues. Among these are 2006 National League Cy Young winner Brandon Webb. When Madison hung up his spikes, he left as the third-winningest coach (735 wins) in Southeastern Conference history, trailing only legends Ron Polk (Mississippi State) and Skip Bertman (LSU).

My point is that in all that time, with all that success, the program never -- never, mind you -- reached the level it is currently motoring at under his replacement, John Cohen.

To wit, on Tuesday, Kentucky swept a doubleheader from Eastern Michigan to raise its record on the season to a perfect 15-0. Three more wins would equal a school record 18-0 start set way back in ... last year.

Kentucky currently ranks in the top 20 in all the major college baseball polls (notoriously freaky as they are), including: #4 in the Collegiate Baseball poll, #15 in the USA Today/Coaches poll, and #17 in Baseball America.

There is some debate as to how tough/weak the early season schedule has been, but one thing is certain, these guys can pound the ball.

Up next for the Cats: A weekend series at home against Alabama.

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Brandon Webb

I went to high school with Brandon and played Babe Ruth baseball with him way back in the day (I guess I was 13 or so and he was 15 or so). I did get at least one hit from him in that league. Nice to say I've hit a Cy Young Winner, even though we were young at the time. Ha.

by blbskue on Mar 12, 2008 11:54 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I would tell people that...

Every time the subject came up! And several times when the subject doesn't come up!!!

I was never a baseball player, I was actually a swimmer and I was actually pretty proud of myself when a guy who whupped me pretty good at state ended up qualifying for the Olympics... yeah, that's right. I take pride in my mediocrity.

by chirop1 on Mar 12, 2008 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh I do

I went to law school in St. Louis with a bunch of Cardinals fans (have to say I am one myself), but they dreaded playing the D-backs if B.Webb was pitching. After seeing someone like Pujols strike out, I would be sure to point out that I HAD IN FACT gotten a hit of him.

Pretty cool below about tackling Shaun Alexander. I'm pretty sure I couldn't tackle Webb, even back then. I think he's been over 6' since he was 10. Ha.

by blbskue on Mar 12, 2008 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Shaun Alexander...

...I tackled Shaun Alexander in high school.

I'm pretty confident he doesn't remember me.

The Online home of Big Blue Nation ...

by JL Blue on Mar 12, 2008 1:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Alexander

I heard that you gave him a concussion and he thought about quitting football after that hit, JL.

by olddoc on Mar 12, 2008 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Joker Phillips

I used to play pick-up basketball with Joker Phillips in the Seaton Center. He was scary fast. I wrote him recently to congratulate him on his inheritance and he said he remembered me, but who knows. Probably remembers me as that slow-footed, short, old white dude that fouled the living daylights out of everyone.

by olddoc on Mar 12, 2008 3:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Matt Schnerbenske

I played some pick up ball with Matt Schnerbenske this season. I can see why he never gets off the bench.

He came in to the gym decked out in his UK gear and even took his shirt off at one point. I had to try very hard not to fall on he floor laughing my but off.

DEEETROIT BASKETBALLL!!!

by davw83 on Mar 12, 2008 6:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs