Diary

Jason
Glushon

April 17 , 2006

This past week marks many new beginnings and ends.

For instance, the holidays of Passover and Easter usually mark the beginning of Spring. In the professional sports world, MLB is just starting off its season, while the NBA is ending off the regular season, even though this upcoming weekend marks the beginning of the 2006 NBA Playoffs, which include your Los Angeles Lakers and MVP Candidate Kobe Bryant.

The past weekend also marked the last time our senior baseball players would play in a regular season game at Chappell Park, but surely not the end to some illustrious careers.

Dave Murchison celebrated his 22nd birthday on Saturday. Dirty Dave, a transfer last year, has spent two years with the Eagles, adding his first Emory home run this year. We have been lucky enough to have this Sonnys-loving cookie monster as a teammate, while also seeing his parents, David and Elizabeth, at many home and road games over the past two seasons.

A special thanks to all the parents, siblings, and friends of Emory Baseball, who made the trip for senior weekend. Always great to see familiar friends, as well as meet new ones. Special thanks to the Adlers for making the trip back east.

Taylor Gettinger has played every position in the infield since his freshman year. With three career home runs, DrTay posted a team leading .388 batting average last year, on his way to making All-UAA second team. T-Get has one of the most contagious smiles on the team and over the years, we have had the great pleasure of spending time with his parents, John and Susan, talking about baseball, stocks, and The OC.

Bryan Langbord has posted some amazing numbers as a four year starter. Most impressive was his perseverance from a horrible disease last year that has brought him back to the field and a major reason for our #1 ranking in the country. An extremely talented leader, it has been a pleasure to get to know Splint's parents, Barbara and Big Dave, who have always been very outgoing and special friends of Emory baseball.

For all those young pitchers out there: "I know the value of having a daily and weekly routine. This is my way of mentally preparing myself for continuous success as a pitcher" (Dick Mills, 1997).

Travis Langley started off his Emory career with a bang, and by that, I mean a grand slam in his first ever at bat. Since then, he has 'knocked up' 7 career home runs and 59 RBIs in over 136 games played. TLang's .861 career stolen base percentage ranks third all time in Emory history. It has been a pleasure getting to know his parents Sanny and Hilary, with Hilary being one of the best team moms a player or coach could ask for.

Ryan Lumsden has fought through his fair share of injuries to be a big part of the Eagles' pitching staff this year, going 3-0 with a 2.51 ERA, striking out 13 in 14 1/3 innings. Although unable to pitch during the 2004 season, Lumpy was able to go 1-1 at the plate during a pinch-hit appearance in Sanford, FL. It has been a pleasure to get to know his parents David and Mary, who always have been extremely friendly to all the players of Emory Baseball.

On April 15th, 1947, Jackie Robinson made his major league debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers. The next day, Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul Jabbar was born.

Tom Mieczkowski was a walk-on, and has he made an impact since freshman year. With a career record of 17-4 and a 3.17 ERA, Tommy Boy went 8-1 with a 1.68 during his sophomore campaign, which included 15 scoreless innings to start off the season. An incredible pitcher and leader, it has been a great pleasure to see Eileen over the years at Chappel Park and in Florida, as well as seeing Bob at games throughout the years.

Keith Meizler is considered on the best pitchers in Emory history, and his track record comes with its fair share of accomplishments. Career and season record holder in saves, as well as posting a 2.66 career ERA, currently 7th in Emory history, Poopie has led by example, acting as 'big brothers' to many pitchers and players on the team. It was a pleasure to see Fran and The Babe down here over the weekend, and hope to see Mark (The Ice Cream Man) soon after tax season.

Did you know that senior Bryan Langbord is now the current career leader in most times reaching base on an error with 24 (Segear and Foster had 23).

Mike Kerfeld, a transfer from the University of Tennessee, has made an immediate impact on the Eagles in his first and only year with the Eagles. Moose leads the pitching staff with a 0.96 ERA, adding up a 5-0 record while striking out 50 in only 47 innings of work. Living with the big guy this year, it has been great to meet his mom Diane, and well as dad David and stepmom Darda.

Justin Gordon made an immediate impact during his freshman year, batting .394 in helping the Eagles reach the College World Series. During his career, he has compiled a .334 batting average, ranking 10th among four year players. A true leader and captain of "The Five Fungos," I was lucky enough to spend another year with his family during Passover, and have been privileged to get to know parents Chuck and Debbie who are huge supporters of Emory Baseball and its players.

While we put last week behind us, it is important to work hard for our final four games, all on the road, which include three this weekend in North Carolina.

Back to business as we work to improve and ride the train to regionals. For all you fans out there, enjoy the ride!

"I am like the pythagorean theorem. There is no answer." -Shaquille O'Neal

Jason Glushon is a Junior from Encino, Calif. He would love to answer e-mail questions from Emory recruits and fans.