AU Baseball Update
Hello there, HABOTN boys and girls.You will undoubtedly note that this post and subsequent AU baseball posts this week are not provided by HABOTN proprietor Jay G. Tate. Instead, you get me, Josh Moon.
What does this mean for you? Basically, just no photos. Other than that, the coverage should be somewhat similar to what Mr. Tate provides -- quotes, game updates, etc. I'm certain, however, that it will be just different enough for you to long for Jay. Ah well, it's only for a couple of days. You'll survive.
With the intro out of the way, here's some stuff from earlier today.
1B Hunter Morris
On falling short in the SEC Tournament …
Obviously, the goal was to win the tournament and we fell short of that, but we’re not letting that hang with us. We’ve been able to put that behind us and redirect our focus on this regional.
Do the offensive struggles in the SEC Tourney change anything …
No, we’re just gonna keep doing what we’ve been doing. We can’t change that. We’ve won a lot of ballgames this year playing our style. Our offense has kept us in ballgames and allowed us to come back a lot. We’re comfortable playing our style.
On the chemistry of this team …
The core of this team has been together for three years – some of us a lot longer than that, since we were 10 or 11. We all played travel ball together. I think I played with everyone on this team growing up – everyone in my class. It was kind of a shock when I got here and saw everybody. Seriously, I knew everyone.
LHP Cory Luckie
On starting Auburn’s first regional game since 2003 …
It’s a pretty special thing, no doubt. We can all talk about what it might be like, but we really have no idea. We haven’t been here. I’m just so happy for the older guys on this team who have put in so much time and been through so much.
On the SEC tourney troubles …
I can’t really tell you what happened there other than to say that some teams treated the SEC Tournament a little differently than others. There was more urgency there for some teams. I mean, the seventh and eighth seeds were in the championship game.
On the offensive problems …
Some of that was the ballpark was just huge. There were a lot of balls hit to the warning track there that would’ve been out of most park, especially here (at Plainsman Park). We got up off the bench five times to celebrate homeruns and watched all of them get caught on the track.
Photo credit: Todd Van Emst/Auburn University
posted by Josh_Moon at
9:56 PM
143 Comments:
baseball...ahhhh!
and by the way the pinch hitter is at the plate............
Hey, it's really here. Sommeone read it and tell me if it's controversial.
Thanks for the info, Josh.
In case you missed it on the last post, Braves win!
M-O-O-N - that spells HABOTN.
Thanks for picking up the slack Josh, but I miss Jay already. You don't mind if I refer to you as Minnie Jay, do you?
Pinch hitting for Tate is Josh .... Moon.
War Eagle. All the way to Omaha.
Morning Hotties.
4:15 wake up calls after five days off are not fun, FYI.
Morning Folks - day 2 in SW PA begins shortly.
Moon - thanks for the backup, nice quotes.
Homer - nice article today. The ARTICLE was nice, the blasted picture was not. Jerk.
Keep Hate Alive.
baseball?
I got to work about 20 minutes ago and just now came to the realization that it is 94 days til FOOTBALL!!!
Josh Moon = Lunar Substance
Norm is a nerd.
That is all.
apparently, that was indeed all.
Thanks, Bag, for the info.
Jay had some good stuff in the paper. I agree with Norm about the photo. And inquiring minds want to know, "Why was he wearing blue?"
anyone else surprised Josh Moon didn't weave some irrelevant Tony Franklin story into the baseball quotes?
just kiddin. Nice pinch hit, JM.
94d10h37m
Moon,
Sends a single up the middle..... nice article.....but the Hotties need just a pinch more in depth Substance!!! Swing for the Fences Man you only get one at bat as a PH!
That's funny.
Thanks Josh for filling in.
Good read this AM.
Is it football season yet?
Hope the Ding Domgs come back in smaller Plainsman Park, for auburn of course
Interesting ... just after Moon blasts Chizik in the Advertiser and compares him to Mike DuBose. Nothing like having a good ole auburn hating bammer reporting on our baseball team.
Thanks Josh for the work but what is your stance with bama before I tell you that you did a good job.
I wish Montgomery had a local sports call in show.
another writer is bloggong about the 2007 recruiting class. It was a top 10 class for AU. After looking over the list, boy did they miss. Several never made it in or just never made it. Recruiting is not a science.
So HABOTN and Jay are apparently in an open relationship. If I had known this, I would have made a move long ago. Not saying who I would make the move on. Just saying.
Kodi Burns-Wes Byrum
Josh Bynes-Quandarious Carr
Antoine Carter-Jared Cooper
Kyle Coulahan-Johnnie Lee Dixon
John Douglas-Brandon Earl
Nick Fairly-Eltoro Freeman
AJ Greene-Bo Harris
Adam Herring-Carlton Johnson
Jermaine Johnson-Wilford Journet
Tim Lamb-Mike McNeil
Ryan Pugh-Chaz Ramsey
Mike Slade-Chris Slaughter
Brent Slusher-Ryan Williams
Bailey Woods-Lee Ziemba
Chris Zinn
Where are they now? I can see at lest 14 of the 30 not on the team now. Doesn't matter why, just that they are not there. wonder why AU has a depth problem?
Wow, Moon - Chizik is 'basically Mike DuBose'?
That's completely indefensible.
Dubose: one season as a DC (team went 10-3 and won SEC West), zero as HC; inherited aforementioned talent-laden team and went 4-7 (2-6 SEC)
Chizik: 9 seasons as DC, including 5 as BCS conference schools (teams went 52-12 over those five years, including two conference titles and one BCS Championship), 2 as HC (5-19, the only significant blemish on his career); inherited a 5-7 team in total disarray and went 8-5 (3-5 SEC)
Can't really see any similarities.
It happens. Grape Slush!
Jaybar has Slusher scoop.
Perhaps he just pushes buttons to get a reaction. Sound like anyone else you know?
FOOTBALL
Who is our best cover guy in the secondary?
Here's another contrast: DuBose was a near-unanimous choice to succeed Stallings at Bama. Rodney Orr was infamously quoted as saying '95% of the Alabama players, administrators and fans' supported his hiring. There was virtually no controversy surrounding the Tide's coaching search (which apparently consisted of a quick look around the locker room after the '96 Iron Bowl).
Need I compare Chizik's tumultous road to the AU job?
Ehyou, no. Anyone you know?
Mobilz ..asking Moon for more substance is dangerous. Instead of sports substance, Moon adopts a controversial opinion just so he can get attention. Rarely do his opinions have merit(very Finebaumish). If that doesn't work, his next tactic will be to intertwine social issues into sport, which will send me into orbit blasting him. Personally, I come to the sports world to get away from politics.
Mr. Moon ...stick to the facts and hit singles this week on the HABOTN with no added opinions and we'll get along just fine.
Baseball substancio!
Yay.
Josh Moon wrote about Chizik? I wouldn't know. Other than this blog pinch hit, I haven't read anything he's written since early last football season. I don't read Finebaum or his disciples.
somebody tell that bald bammer to do us all a favor and refrain from having any comments on auburn baseball. he should stick to that god awful radio show at noon.
I am sorry I wasted my time reading that article by Moon. He may be better suited to rank the Men's D league softball, east division, at Lagoon Park.
Twitter just told me that Julio Cesar injured himself vs Zimbabwe. Twitter knows evereything.
Tough break for Brasil.
Art added to BLAWG.
Jordan, ther's a sports radio show at noon in Montgomery?
nice photo addition, Homer.
Natalie Morales from the Today Show is only slightly less smokin' hot than Jenna Fischer.
@Jordan: I'm grateful that Baggy is helping the cause by providing baseball updates. I can't be in two places at once. I'm not saying you can't rag Bag ... but he is going above and beyond here.
Oh, surely Bag was just kidding about Dubose and Chiz. If nothing else, Chiz is much more chiseled, or should it be Chizeled?
Morales looking resplendent in red
You're welcome.
I like photo substance.
even better photo addition, Homer!
I don't object to anyone publishing their opinions, no matter how objectionable they try to make them.
I do, however, expect them to at least make an attempt to justify them.
If Moon thinks Chizik is 'basically Mike DuBose' at this point in his AU career, then lets see him make the case.
One of the main reasons I was drawn to HABOTN was that, whenever JGT injected a controversial opinion into his work, he always backed it up with a little thing we HOTTIEs like to call 'substance'.
Perhaps Moon can try it sometime. I've given up on Finebaum.
That said, I do appreciate the newsworthiness of his contribution over here, while JGT is covering another aspect of AU athletics.
It's not often in recent years we've had the luxury of AU baseball relevance during the Spring SEC meetings. Let's hope it's the beginning of a trend.
Natalie deserves two.
Actual oil (not tar balls) has washed ashore on Dauphin Island finally. What are the odds it rains oil in Montgomery before the sixth named storm of this Hurricane Season we started yesterday?
I'm a fan of "resplendent", which I have a hard time appreciating in the same sentence as "red." Second effort much better, Homer ;-)
Please read my stories from Sandestin!
Expansion
Notes
I'll be talking with Chizik between 11 and 12 today.
Anything you want answered?
Rossi cut from Italian World Cup squad.
I smiled a little bit when I read the story.
Chiz Question: Gene has created quite a family atmosphere within the Auburn football program. Does he believe in spanking within the Auburn Family?
Ask Chiz if he can get us a 2010-11 basketball schedule.
Sean...I smiled and then frowned. Would still love to have Rossi with the US.
And Peter...getting twitter updates on soccer players. Good thing you don't watch that crap, otherwise I'd say you're acquiring a small obession with the sport.
whattup hotties.
94 days THT? CRAIG OGLETREE baby!
Does he wear Under Armour under his armour?And if so,Boxers or Briefs?
those UArmour boxer jocks are quite nice.
E-bro,
There's a certain resident bloggist providing those, so shove it. I don't watch that crap, and you know it. How was Orlando?
Sean & E-Bro, similar reaction from me regarding Rossi.
I blogged about Rossi on Le Soccer Blog.
If you like soccer, you'd better be reading it.
GannettWorldCup.com
I've got it bookmarked, Jay G.
doesn't the WC start in a week or so? i'm clueless.
June 12 is the official start, Scottie.
coolio. thanks Seanzie.
Or June 11 if you want to see the first day of matches ...
Jay G
question for Coach Chiz.....
if Mobile is a priority for recruiting then i need his cell number so i can tell him about eh hot 8th grade prospects before the evil empire gets wind from the local REC!!!!
Does anyone believe that the Ala. head coahing job is Saban's last stand?
Those that do please form a line on the right of Bear Bryants statue put your right hand over your heart and say "I BELEIVE IN ALL THAT IS Cousin Humping.
digger..... i spit up my coffee on that one....damn now i have to clean my computer screen!!!
Mobilz sorry. I just don't be;ieve.
I'm following the World Cup blog, JayG. It'll no doubt be peppered with comments from me over the next month.
Peter...you watch that crap. I know it.
Orlando was good. I did Disney with the nieces/family by day and an inordinate amount of drinking by night with a friend from O-town. It was a "Disney with a hangover" experience...and I dug every second of it.
Too much information?
Not enough...what about the cougars?
E-Bro - yes; at least in regards to WC.
WC beats puck anyday!
Peter...a gentleman never asks.
PF- See, I told you the Braves were dead. I bat about 30% on any prediction that is not football regarding sports.
Well, you got the part about the Hawks right.
Please bring back Jay....longing for him already. No Moon on the HABOTN please.thank you. we don't need miniPauls.
My stance with Bama: I live here.
My stance on Chizik: Mediocre record. One good recruiting class. A good staff. That equals Mike Dubose prior to the 2000 season. Never said they were on identical paths.
My stance on men's league softball at Lagoon: I've got Luquire Heating and Air winning it all.
My stance on soccer: Let 'em use their hands.
I trust this will solve all of our problems.
Nothing is solved. War Eagle Girl is ripping you. She's happy and positive. How do answer that?
Thanks PF....I don't need Moon to validate me because I.am.the.sunshine.pumper!!
Oh wait, I forgot we.are.the.Auburn.whiners.
My stance with UA-T = Jet's stance with UA-T, which is almost as hate-filled as MrsTHT's stance with UA-T.
my stance with Cheetohs and Fudge Sticks - I love 'em.
Moon-
Your stance on Soccer = Rugby.
Stance on Bama is what irritates most Auburn Grads and fans. Bow down to the masses.
Chizik- Dubose...seriously? Way to early to draw any comparison to any coach after limited knowledge. But selling papers and making a name is your game. I get it.
BEASLEY!!!
Helllooooo Kennesaw, GA!
Well, she could learn to take a joke. I know that's an outside-the-box idea, what with me making jokes about something as serious as football and all.
Tell Jhag not to read the latest article over at AUPPL.
joke about football? wow. You must not be from around these parts.
;-)
Eddie: I don't have a permanent stance on Alabama. If they suck this year, I'll make fun of them for sucking and take a million shots at Saban. But they just completed back-to-back undefeated regular seasons, won a national title and have one of the strongest programs in the nation at this point.
Sometimes, you gotta call it like it is.
But I have no problem with you disagreeing with any stance or opinion I have. That's life. This is just sports.
You were joking about Chizik? Hahaha. I get it. Not as funny as Biff calling you Jeremiah Wright, but pretty funny.
HaHAHAHaHaHaHa............that's me laughing Josh!!! You are so funny! I forgot how funny you are and all!!!!!!!
And you can talk to me direct, I don't bite. But I also don't have to agree with you either (because if I remember correctly you and your wife never agreed on any movies). That's what so great about living in the USA and all.!!
JM- I get it and understand that aspect of it and cannot fault it. As far as the comparison to Dubose...that is as far fetched as anything I've heard. I mean seriously, that is the kind of articles that make you go WTF is he smoking. You can write all the bama puff pieces you want, but when you make that comparison about Chizik to Dubose...you are going beyond opinion and catering to the masses. Opinions are opinions, its just a shame that some luney Auburn fan doesn't have the same medium you do for communicating it.
Every now and then Biff pulls one out. And that's cool.
I can take a joke. He can take one back. We have fun with our disagreements.
Which is a much better, much more enjoyable way to handle it than getting mad and taking things so seriously. Honestly, if this is how people in this state treat their distractions, our heart attack rate must be through the roof.
The only state I'm in is the state of eternal hate.
GET SOME!
I don't post much but anyone who could equate Chizik in his second to Dubose in his 4th year has credibility issues to say the least.
Both were DCs and are/were SEC head coaches in the great state of AL. The similarities end there.
Dubose had major violations under NCAA investigation, was still recovering from a massive infidelity scandal (which the PTB swept under the rug to their program's ultimate detriment) and infighting on his staff prior to the 2000 season. Anyone else remember the original two headed OC/playcaller debacle which Tubs stupidly repeated 3 years later with the "Nallsminger" disaster?
Chizik has none of the same off the field issues so let's compare them again in a few years. I'd bet they still don't have much in common (other than hopefully an SEC championship or two for Chiz).
or all the obese diabetic people that cause high heart attack rates, but i enjoy making fun of anyone at anytime
FOOTBALL
old news from yesterday...
Chris Low thinks Ziemba is AU's most indispensable player for 2010. His reasons are here.
thoughts?
I was told there would be no pictures in this blog post. I feel misled.
Just read the Dubose thing... uhhhh, really, that is what all you guys are so upset about? Lighten up. Not nearly as "pulled outta his butt" of a comparison as some of you are making it out to be. So we believe Auburn will be great in a couple of years. Is it so wrong for non-Auburn fans to take a wait and see approach? I mean, DuBose even won an SEC championship, so I would say Chiz's head coaching career hasn't quite lived up to DuBose's yet.
So anyway, yeah, quit being a bunch of ninnies.
FWIW...I agree with Bags regarding the Alabama program.
:-)
Michael- It's absurd to make any comparison at this point as to what kind of Coach Chizik will end up being. He could be the best ever to one of the worst. The comparison to Dubose just reeks. Am I upset, nope. Just trying to understand.
FSJ- it ain't worth squat, but you're welcome to share, anyway.
I'd say losing Ziemba this year would hurt tremendously.
I'd also say that I had an interesting Orlando experience last spring break. It involved the foreigners who work in Epcot, St. Patty's Day, and a parking lot celebration of said holiday at a Bennigan's in O-Town. I'll allow you to fill in the rest.
I'm sure it was better than the parking lot experience I had in Tampa.
Re Ziemba,
Agree that he's the best player on the team. Don't agree that losing him would be a disaster. Depth isn't optimal at OL, but there are defintely come guys on the bech that could step in and play really well. Not sure that's the case at all positions (QB).
THT- Mine included overweight women, shirts lacking color, and two atoms of hydrogen + one atom oxygen.
It was like a train wreck.
Michael,
I've never read anything he's written or listened to him on the radio, but this is a dog gone witchhunt, and I intend to march with my pitchfork and encourage that he be thrown into the river so we can see if he floats.
Columnists have opinions and they mold their opinions to fit their ongoing narrative.
It seems to me Josh's narrative is that Tuberville was unappreciated, and that Auburn fans should be ashamed of their behavior toward him. In Josh's mind, Gene Chizik is still the 5-19 coach. It is an opinion, but it's not like he's going to find many takers around here. Comparing Chizik to DuBose fits the "Auburn should be ashamed" narrative better.
But to the bottom line issue (which is fun for discussion): The reason why Chizik isn't DuBose is that Chizik is in charge of his program, and that was never the case when DuBose was the coach. Inmates ran the asylum.
Some might say that Chizik still has to answer to PTB. Yes, he does. On a lesser level, Nick Saban does too.
wells - mine included a parked car.
on another note, why is Dexys Midnight Runners stuck in my head? I don't even like their music.
PF, the left tackle spot is the most difficult position on the line. Losing Ziemba would definitely be huge. It is part of the reason 2011 will likely be a down year. Much of the 2007 class will be gone and it was an excellent class. Also, the remaining 2006 class will be gone. We will be getting into the lean times with the 2008 class, which was small and not up to snuff, will be the seniors.
THT - "their music"??? They had more than one song?
True, Steve. I just don't believe that it would cause the biggest disaster.
Moon's like the substitute teacher. Didn't everybody give their subs hell? Yeah, that's what I thought.
Sorry, had to work for a living.
I just don't need another Finescum in my life. When you are out stirring the pot just to stir.......that's what gets old.
It has nothing to do with the recent article. It's been going on a while.
Norm, I only recall a single from them.
And now that violin is ringing in my mind.
My goal for Ziemba would be that he become a consistent above average player. Flashes of brilliance combined with the occasional "what the ef did I do that for " won't cut it.
I also hope that that is Lee's goals for himself.
Maybe if I read more Moon I would be as agnry as yall, but I just can't get worked up over this:
"Maybe he'll move up at some point, but right now, he's basically Mike DuBose -- a good staff, a good recruiting class, very few results."
Key word is "right now". I know we all think Chiz will end up doing great things, just like the bammers with Saban and the the Domers with Charlie Weis a few years ago.
Doesn't it make sense to have him ranked lowly among SEC coaches until he has actually done these things? I don't think Chiz would have a problem with it. He seems like a no nonsense, results are what matters kind of guy.
As much as you think that Moon is writing this stuff from the "Auburn sucks" state of mind, couldn't it be possible that you all are reading it with a "Moon sucks" state of mind? I just blew your mind, didn't I!?
One hit? How could you forget about Geno?
they had one other song
I definitely don't agree with Moon's coach ranking, but I can see where he is coming from to some degree. I do think he is giving Petrino way to much credit for a pretty bad Arkansas team last season. He may be giving too much credit to the preseason hype (see Ole Nutt).
Also, Spurrier shouldn't rank so high when he seems to be driving with his foot on the break and gas at the same time.
Mullen also seems to get more credit than he deserves, but he has definitely improved MSU and is the first team I think of possibly upsetting us this season.
In re Ziemba ...
We all cringe at his occasion false starts, but here's a good question: how many other SEC teams would he start for at either LT or RT?
My answer: 11.
The guy has been a player, and he's our most indispensible player.
Go read "The Blind Side" to get a better understanding of his position. Go watch "The Blind Side" to check out Sandra Bullock as a hot blonde.
Just sayin'.
Michael- Your comments always blow our minds. jalkfjaiofjopiaj
Joker Phillips deserves to be ranked higher, in my opinion.
There are just a lot of new coaches that are unproven in the SEC.
Also, Les Miles is about where he should be. Someone should start a betting pool on which game Les will make his first bonehead call of the season in.
That "Bad" Arkansas team spanked us pretty good.
Petrino is a very good coach. If he ever became the recruiter that Meyer and Saban are, then he would be lethal.
Michael "As much as you think that Moon is writing this stuff from the "Auburn sucks" state of mind, couldn't it be possible that you all are reading it with a "Moon sucks" state of mind? I just blew your mind, didn't I!?"
Yes I am reading it with the "moon sucks" state of mind and I like my state of mind.
I don't care for people that can not pick a team and go with them win or lose.
Arkansas beat us, but so did Kentucky and a down LSU team. Arkansas didn't impress me.
This comment has been removed by the author.
Yeah. The LT/RT (blind side more so) is clearly a huge position of importance, and the lack of quality/quantity behind Ziemba is what would make losing him hurt.
My apologies for blocking that song from my mind. I prefer this.
Steve- Is your definition of down really 9-3? That was LSU's record in the regular season.
New thread UPZ.
I do think Josh was a bit unfair to Chizik. Most people would agree Chizik is a great defensive coach. The jury is still out on Roof, but I think the depth issues were obviously the reason for our defensive issues last season. Depth at linebacker was bad, it was ridiculous. In a 4-3, you would want to have at least around 9 scholarship linebackers that could play. Most of the season we had 3 or 4. It really limits how aggressive you can be defensively. I think we will see a change this season.
why is Michael always right?!
WEG- Because he is like my almost 2 year old that you cannot understand. The only point that she drives home is her way or the high way :).
Jet,
That 11 answer would be pretty close from his first game on. He's elite and will make some money very soon. I've been really angry that UGa is considered the best line. I think AU's is being overlooked and underrated. I understand it's because Big Snacks is boring, but it's still not fair.
I guess Moon gets what he wanted, cause I read the article.
Saban, Meyer, Petrino ...OK ..predictable enough, Mr. Moon. Nutt, Miles and Phillips ..sure, why not.
Predicting this to be Richt's last stand shows how little you understand. Richt does it the right way and the UGA prez won't dump him until it gets much worse.
Spurrier has mailed it in since getting to USCe and therefore deserves the lowest ranking.
Dooley ...the guy just got there and inherited a bunch of hoodlums. Give him the same break that you are giving Johnson and Phillips.
Chiz and Mullen ...both did more and with less talent than Saban in his first year. You've already admitted that you erroneously chided Saban early on before knowing what he could do..just couldn't help making that mistake again ..huh
Except for Johnson, you seem to be mostly looking at won-loss records. Way to really dig hard and research there ...Bags.
Try doing a little research ...or at the very least ..go read Tony Barnhart and get a little fundamental SEC education.
Typical Bags article ...a few cute, emo-loaded comments meant to get attention and no true understanding that would provide substance = waste-of-time.
You know I was thinking about Moon's comparisons, and I've decided that it's going to take more than one year to decide what level the Chizik is on. However I do like the direction he appears to being heading the team, and I also like the way it seems like the PTB aren't interfering, like they were when they had cash and an agenda.
Why was Sandra Bullock hotter as an older blonde than 10 years earlier as a brunette?
I wouldn't know. I never watch movies featuring Satan.
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