"The Road to Omaha"

 

 

My entire life I have been a Mississippi State fan. No matter what sport, whether we were predicted to win the conference, or to lose every game. I, like many others, have been there. But one thing at MSU that has been woven into the very DNA of me and my family is, Baseball. God knew what He was doing when he placed me in this world. He has given me great opportunities to witness many unforgettable things, and to be a part of "The Road to Omaha."

I can remember the 1985 season, sitting in the wooden grandstand, eating roasted peanuts watching Clark, Palmerio, Thigpen, and Brantley anchor a team that everyone thought would go to the end of the road at Omaha. But as everything worked out, they came home short of even playing in the championship game.

 

My parents made sure we were at the games, and my grandfather made sure that we had a seat to sit in and peanuts to eat. I know that there are MSU fans out there that are older, and have been through even more disappointments, and victories than I have. But my grandfather Hubert Scrivener "Butch" to those who knew him, loved Mississippi State University and would have already booked the rooms for Monday if he were still alive.

Butch is the reason that Maroon & White is a staple in my household, along with my parents, brother, and sister's lives as well. I thought everyone had a maroon blazer to wear, and a maroon car to drive, fortunately I inherited one of each.

I can't help but believe there are many other stories similar to mine out there, and that is just one step on "The Road to Omaha." I now live in North Carolina, and continually "go to bat" for MSU, and the SEC in general when interacting with many sports fans here. So my attendance at home games is somewhat scarce,but I know that my family is faithful to Section F, Row 6 of Polk-Dement Stadium.

I can remember my dad getting us out of school early, to catch mid-week games. Following the team to Hawaii in 1989 (watching Pete Young, Burke Masters, Tommy Raffo, & many more race motor scooters in the hotel parking lot), and then on to Omaha in 1990. Being a part of the 5 Million fans, helping break attendance records, driving to Hoover, attending baseball camps, & watching Masters crush that famous Grand Slam, are all a part of "The Road to Omaha."  Bearing the blistering, cold spring games and catching games when traveling home from Seminary in more recent years might be routine to some but it's memories to me. It's a bond that the true STATE fan can understand. It's just one more step on "The Road to Omaha.

I thought every coach should be coaching from 3rd, and get in an umpire's face almost every game. Even encouraging the ump to throw him out so his team could get a fire lit under them. Ron Polk, you are still The MAN! (and strangely aware of the weather at all times.) He's part of the foundation of "The Road to Omaha" for Mississippi State & Coach John Cohen.

 

 

           Coach Polk with Jeffery Rea                               Coach Polk getting his point across

 

                                                Coach Cohen following in good footsteps

I got to hear my parents and sister talk about the experience of being a foster family for the out-of-state players, when there was a foster program. Having players like Brad Corley, Brad Jones, Jeffery Rea, and Ed Easley come and share a meal with you. Also during this time, getting to hear my sister brag about her and my mom trekking to Omaha in 2007 to cheer on her friend Mitch Moreland and my dad getting to umpire inner squad games. It's all about the legacy that is Mississippi State Baseball. 

         

                
                      My Sister with: Jeffery Rea, Coach Polk, & Mitch Moreland, 2007 CWS

Then over the past few weeks getting to experience "The Dudes" journeying back on that long, hard road to Omaha. With nail-biting games, manly facial hair, and an electricity that has had not only Starkville juiced up, but the entire State of Mississippi. Thanks to modern technology (ESPN Watch, & an Iphone) even a family wedding couldn't keep last Saturday's game out of reach. It's ok my brother-in-law appreciated all the updates I could give him. It was only fitting that the happy couple was exiting as Hunter Renfroe sealed Oregon State's fate with the final out. Just one step further toward Omaha.

 

                       A shot from my sister's seats during the MSU vs. Indiana game, 2013 CWS

And now as Monday getting closer, and as  my college roommate texts me to tell me he's headed out to Omaha on Sunday the end of the road is drawing near. So whether we are ringing our cowbells in Rosenblatt (J/K) or in North Carolina, we have all been apart of that road and it's been incredible to watch. (and hear my sister brag, again, about traveling to Omaha personally this year.)

 

But as great as this has been to watch I was thrilled to see a post from Matt Jolley this past week, where God has been radically changing lives amongst the Diamond Dogs. Check it out if you haven't Diamond Dogs Discipleship. It reminds me that, no matter how many games I go to, how many pitches Johnathan Holder throws, or Wes Rea sends over the fences. God has given these boys a great opportunity that we have be privileged to witness & it's for His glory that they play and the most important thing that they could ever do is to come into a relationship with Him.

So if you've been there for every step down "The Road to Omaha" you can understand the familiarity with some of the things I've mentioned. But as Matt wrote in his article the most important thing that we can do on this "Road to Omaha" is: Please pray for God's Word to continue to grow in the hearts of everyone involved on this team and for His will to be done in their lives, on and off the field!

As much as I'm going to teach my children "Go Dawgs" "Maroon.....White" and my desire for them to be a part of  "The Road to Omaha" I want them to know Christ, and grow in His likeness.

Future Bulldog