May 31, 2007

Jason Glushon

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The bar has been set...

After an amazing ride in Appleton, Wisconsin, we returned home early Wednesday morning with our heads held high. Not many teams can come back from losing the opening game and knock out 4 straight victories. Not only that, but do it each game overcoming deficits and refusing to lose.

When the week was all said and done, we finished the season with 43 wins, a new school record, and a final #2 ranking, the highest final ranking in school history. Numerous players set single season records along the way, while myself, Frank Pfister, Steve Bralver, and Brandon Custer were all rewarded spots on the All Tournament team.

Nothing was better than seeing all the friends, fans, and family of Emory Baseball travel to Wisconsin to support the Eagles this past weekend. It was one of the most amazing rides, and everyone who was there will have memories and experiences that will last a lifetime.

A major theme throughout the season, but especially during Regionals and the World Series, was the fight of our entire team...from 1 to 28.

Whether it be Julian Smith's stellar relief appearances in the postseason, Frank's amazing hitting and fielding earning all-tournament teams both times, Custer's .475 World Series batting average, Joe Roth's All-American Gold Glove Award, Will Gumm's clutch arm earning a World Series win, Tyler Short's MVP all-around play throughout a rigorous postseason, or even Bo Schill's perfect season defensively.

By now we all know how much I love the Los Angeles Lakers. But come on, can Kobe make up his mind. Stay in LA...where you belong.

The same could be said about McDonough's big impact behind the dish as a freshman or Rich Babb's dominant season putting up gaudy stats with 8 wins, 6 saves, and a minute ERA. You gotta include Jake's stretch of scoring game-winning runs, Zander's sweet glove and timely power hitting, Nick Wills' earning the name the 'Hit Machine,' Sweet Hands Saleh making fielding look way so cool and easy, Brian Cournoyer's first year impact including a perfect inning in the World Series, Adam Genn's timely and clutch relief efforts in regionals to ensure key victories, and even Dave Hissey's most timely first home run of the season pushing us through a hard-fought Cortland game.

And now for "Did You Know" Sponsored by Kenny Mayne.
Did You Know that Washington University's Andy Shields is the batter I will miss the least pitching against.

The run we had this year wasn't just for ourselves, our families, and our school, but also for every Eagle that has come before us. For all the players we played with over the past 4 seasons, to the two prior teams who made the World Series, this playoff push was for every Eagle who ever sported our blue and gold. It is a history filled with amazing alumni that our team truly respects.

What about Mike 'Coach' Levin's amazing leadership and dancing abilities, Molnar's huge freshman impact with the bat and glove which included game winners and savers in Maryville, Sam Cunningham's five years culminating in the biggest swing in Emory history, Tony Vidal's senior leadership and pitching power, especially down the stretch, Tommy Dugan's desire and fire and refusal to lose, Scotty's persistence and determination finally paying off, Ganzer's incredible career finished off with an amazing and gutsy outing in the championship, Katten's work ethic, power, and of course always smiling, Corn Dog's power and intimidation, while not to mention a game winning hit in the World Series, Carroll's clutch and consistent bat off the bench so resembling of former stud Gordo, and Bralver's first year contributions by providing power and fist pumps.

The run of 2007 will go down as the best in Emory history, but it is just a framework for the future. For the past four years, it has been a pleasure being part of such an amazing program, and I feel confident that this year's senior class has left the program in better shape than when we arrived in the fall of 2003.

"You play to win the game." - Herman Edwards, NFL Head Coach

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