The Fresno State Bulldogs will begin their National Championship title defense, that journey begins in just over a month.
On February 20th, the Bulldogs will join their fans as they raise the 2008 National Championship banner high above Beiden Field. After that, the Bulldogs will take the field as they take on the Washington Huskies for a 3-game set, thus beginning a title defense that could be as improbable as their run to the National Championship last season, a run that made College World Series history and a team that became a national darling.
Coming into the 2009 season, the Bulldogs are ranked 16th in the pre-season collegiate polls and having guys like Alan Ahmady, championship game hero Steve Detwiler and Tommy Medonca back, they have the experience and they have guys that know how to win and know what it means to be counted out, only to come from nowhere to be the national champion.
Could this team possibly be better than last season, could they repeat? The journey starts on February 20th, where that journey takes this team and their fans is why the ride is worth taking, because in 2008, that ride ended with a 'Dog pile in Omaha.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
2009, the year of the Dog
Happy New Year to all you Bulldog fans, I'm sure we all have a New Year's resolution whether it's to lose weight, be a better person, get a better job, etc. Here's a resolution that I'd like to see come true, less complaining and more constructive comments or comments that have facts to back them up.
I know I've written these kind of posts before, but I'm done reading fans comments wanting Pat Hill fired but then stop their argument right there. I've yet to see one person put out a name they want to be the next head coach at Fresno State, who will take this team farther than Pat Hill ever has? I'm just tired of seeing this, I'm tired of listening to Bulldog fans wanting champaigne on a cheap wine budget, there's only so much Pat Hill has to work with.
With the recruits Hill has coming in, having all three running backs returning to the backfield as well has having a healthy Ryan Mathews back after missing 6 games in 2008 and not being the same after his injury. The Bulldogs will also usher in a new season with a new quarterback at the helm after graduating Sr Tom Brandstater moves on, and with three more than capable young arms battling for the spot, it could be an exciting 2009.
Until then, and I hate to use an old line from the San Diego Padres, but keep the faith. Yes this team didn't have the season a lot of us thought they would have, but with a new quarterback, new pieces coming in defensively, this could be a big year for a seemingly young team.
I know I've written these kind of posts before, but I'm done reading fans comments wanting Pat Hill fired but then stop their argument right there. I've yet to see one person put out a name they want to be the next head coach at Fresno State, who will take this team farther than Pat Hill ever has? I'm just tired of seeing this, I'm tired of listening to Bulldog fans wanting champaigne on a cheap wine budget, there's only so much Pat Hill has to work with.
With the recruits Hill has coming in, having all three running backs returning to the backfield as well has having a healthy Ryan Mathews back after missing 6 games in 2008 and not being the same after his injury. The Bulldogs will also usher in a new season with a new quarterback at the helm after graduating Sr Tom Brandstater moves on, and with three more than capable young arms battling for the spot, it could be an exciting 2009.
Until then, and I hate to use an old line from the San Diego Padres, but keep the faith. Yes this team didn't have the season a lot of us thought they would have, but with a new quarterback, new pieces coming in defensively, this could be a big year for a seemingly young team.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Veteran leadership, experience key in 2009
Improbable, Wonderdogs, underdogs, Cinderella, unbelievable...all words that were used to describe the run that the Bulldog baseball team made through the College World Series enroute to their very first National Championship, a team that won the nation's hearts.
In 2009, there's only two words that will be important when talking about this team: Leadership and Experience. This team has the veteran leadership to drive them and the experience to know how to handle themselves against tough opponents. They know what it takes to make it back to Omaha, they know how to come together as a team, they know how to win.
The Bulldogs will have some familiar faces coming back for 2009, guys like Alan Ahmady who's already been selected as a pre-season All-American, Tommy Mendonca, Danny Muno the young freshman who started the pivotal double-play in the 9th inning and, of course, the hero of the championship game Steve Detweiler. These four guys will need to be the team leaders as the Bulldogs open their 2009 season, they'll need to teach the incoming freshman what it means to come together as a team and overcome even the greatest odds.
This was a team that wasn't even expected to make it out of the first round of the WAC Tournament, then wasn't expected to last the first weekend of the College World Series. But when it was all said and done, it was Fresno State that hoisted the National Championship trophy and it's Fresno State that will raise the National Championship banner at Beiden Field when they open the 2009 season in February.
The Bulldog will always be known as one of the best stories to ever come out of the College World Series, a team that knocked off a few of the top ranked teams twice, including North Carolina and Georgia, to prove that anything is possible. It doesn't matter if you roar into the postseason or limp into it, as long as you make the right run at the right time, a National Championship is never out of reach.
In 2009, there's only two words that will be important when talking about this team: Leadership and Experience. This team has the veteran leadership to drive them and the experience to know how to handle themselves against tough opponents. They know what it takes to make it back to Omaha, they know how to come together as a team, they know how to win.
The Bulldogs will have some familiar faces coming back for 2009, guys like Alan Ahmady who's already been selected as a pre-season All-American, Tommy Mendonca, Danny Muno the young freshman who started the pivotal double-play in the 9th inning and, of course, the hero of the championship game Steve Detweiler. These four guys will need to be the team leaders as the Bulldogs open their 2009 season, they'll need to teach the incoming freshman what it means to come together as a team and overcome even the greatest odds.
This was a team that wasn't even expected to make it out of the first round of the WAC Tournament, then wasn't expected to last the first weekend of the College World Series. But when it was all said and done, it was Fresno State that hoisted the National Championship trophy and it's Fresno State that will raise the National Championship banner at Beiden Field when they open the 2009 season in February.
The Bulldog will always be known as one of the best stories to ever come out of the College World Series, a team that knocked off a few of the top ranked teams twice, including North Carolina and Georgia, to prove that anything is possible. It doesn't matter if you roar into the postseason or limp into it, as long as you make the right run at the right time, a National Championship is never out of reach.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Merry Christmas
As we count down the hours to Christmas Day and as we look forward to the entrance of 2009, I wanted to pass along my well wishes to all those back in Fresno and all those Bulldog fans who are spending time with their families this holiday season. I want to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays...here's to a very prosperous 2009.
Enjoy time with your family and friends, enjoy the holidays and enjoy doing the one thing that we all love doing this time of year....eat! Seriously though, stay safe, have a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all the Bulldog fans out there.
We'll see you back here for 2009 as we look forward to Fresno State on the backstretch of their 2008-2009 basketball schedule and the defending National Champion baseball team will be getting ready for their 2009 season which will open the first week of February at home against Washington.
There's a lot to look forward to in 2009, and we'll be here to talk all about it.
Happy Holidays!
Monday, December 22, 2008
Pre-season rankings out
After an improbable run through the College World Series, the Fresno State Bulldogs will be ranked 16th in the Collegiate Baseball pre-season poll that were just released today.
Last season, though the Bulldogs didn't have an impressive season leading up to the WAC tournament, they made one of the best runs through Omaha that has ever been made before, hence "Underdogs to Wonderdogs."
They were the perennial underdogs, the lowest seed in the College World Series, not expected to last the weekend. Bulldog merchandise was slim pickings, but before long, Bulldog mania was running rampid through Rosenblatt Stadium, fans from all over the country were jumping on the bandwagon and becoming Fresno State fans. Even though it was a Bulldog vs. Bulldog final between Fresno State and Georgia, it was a sea of Fresno State red all throughout the stadium.
As the final out was recorded, Fresno State fans took to the streets, celebrating with passing cars and even with the firemen that road by in their firetrucks. Bulldog pride had returned to the Central Valley, the Fresno State Bulldogs are the National Champions and they will be forever remembered in the history books as one of the best stories ever in College Baseball.
So, on February 20th, make sure you get your tickets for what is sure to be the second biggest party in Fresno, after the National Championship celebration, as the Bulldogs will raise their 2008 National Championship banner at Beiden Field in front of what I'm sure will be a sold out crowd. It's been a long time coming, but this is something Fresnans will always remember, a story to tell and re-tell for years to come.
Last season, though the Bulldogs didn't have an impressive season leading up to the WAC tournament, they made one of the best runs through Omaha that has ever been made before, hence "Underdogs to Wonderdogs."
They were the perennial underdogs, the lowest seed in the College World Series, not expected to last the weekend. Bulldog merchandise was slim pickings, but before long, Bulldog mania was running rampid through Rosenblatt Stadium, fans from all over the country were jumping on the bandwagon and becoming Fresno State fans. Even though it was a Bulldog vs. Bulldog final between Fresno State and Georgia, it was a sea of Fresno State red all throughout the stadium.
As the final out was recorded, Fresno State fans took to the streets, celebrating with passing cars and even with the firemen that road by in their firetrucks. Bulldog pride had returned to the Central Valley, the Fresno State Bulldogs are the National Champions and they will be forever remembered in the history books as one of the best stories ever in College Baseball.
So, on February 20th, make sure you get your tickets for what is sure to be the second biggest party in Fresno, after the National Championship celebration, as the Bulldogs will raise their 2008 National Championship banner at Beiden Field in front of what I'm sure will be a sold out crowd. It's been a long time coming, but this is something Fresnans will always remember, a story to tell and re-tell for years to come.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Is Iowa State after Coach Hill?
Well, the rumors have reared their ugly head again. According to internet reports, Iowa State was reportedy interested in Pat Hill for their vacant head coaching position, but Hill says those rumors are absolutely not true.
"I'm not involved in any other jobs or job searches. End of conversation, period. ... I'm just trying to keep my job in Fresno."
We've heard Coach Hill say this before, it was actually prior to him interviewing for the head coaching position at the University of Washington, a position he also said he was not interested in or had been asked about. Do you believe him this time around, or is he serious when he says he's just trying to keep his job at Fresno State.
That part of the quote actually brings up more of interesting question, doesn't it? "I'm just trying to keep my job in Fresno." Is Pat Hill in danger of losing his job as the head coach of the Bulldogs? It's just an interesting way to word what he said.
With all that being said, Hill does have a job to do. He has the job of getting his team ready for the New Mexico Bowl tomorrow afternoon against the MWC's Colorado State Rams. A game that, regardless of how little attention it might get, it still means a lot to the departing seniors on both sides, because neither wants to remember their last game as a loss. So, the Bulldogs will run practice today and then get a nice rest in before returning to the field tomorrow morning for pre-game warmups before the game officially kicks off at 11:30am PST tomorrow.
Can Fresno State come up with one more dominant performance, or will they have the letdown of playing a team that shouldn't even compare? Only time will tell...
"I'm not involved in any other jobs or job searches. End of conversation, period. ... I'm just trying to keep my job in Fresno."
We've heard Coach Hill say this before, it was actually prior to him interviewing for the head coaching position at the University of Washington, a position he also said he was not interested in or had been asked about. Do you believe him this time around, or is he serious when he says he's just trying to keep his job at Fresno State.
That part of the quote actually brings up more of interesting question, doesn't it? "I'm just trying to keep my job in Fresno." Is Pat Hill in danger of losing his job as the head coach of the Bulldogs? It's just an interesting way to word what he said.
With all that being said, Hill does have a job to do. He has the job of getting his team ready for the New Mexico Bowl tomorrow afternoon against the MWC's Colorado State Rams. A game that, regardless of how little attention it might get, it still means a lot to the departing seniors on both sides, because neither wants to remember their last game as a loss. So, the Bulldogs will run practice today and then get a nice rest in before returning to the field tomorrow morning for pre-game warmups before the game officially kicks off at 11:30am PST tomorrow.
Can Fresno State come up with one more dominant performance, or will they have the letdown of playing a team that shouldn't even compare? Only time will tell...
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Bulldogs and Rams to face off in New Mexico
The Fresno State Bulldogs will have a lot of their seniors playing in their final games in Bulldog uniforms, and you can bet they don't want to go out losers.
The Bulldogs arrived in Albuquerque on Wednesday and got right to work with a 2-hour practice, the teams' first practice since Sunday. They weren't allowed to practice Monday or Tuesday due to finals schedules.
Though they did get a practice in, they also had time to have a little fun as both teams faced off in a cooking and entertainment challenge. Fresno State players Chris Carter, Bobby Lepori, Joe Bernardi, Sharrod Davis, Jason Crawley, and Drew Lubinsky took part in the cooking challenge, they were judged by the owner of El Pinto Mexican Restaurant, a landmark there in Albuquerque. In the entertainment portion of the day, Crawley recruited teammate Nico Herron as they to do this rap...talk about confidence.
"Green V on my helmet for Central Valley
Takin' the trophy back to Cali
New Mexico winter means it might snow
Tommy makes it rain touchdown throws.
Defense up the middle, sick with the sacks
Special teams on the field
And we'll run one back.
Offense gets you red,
defense gives the blues.
Those C. State Rams are crazy in the head,
Cuz we're Bulldog born and Bulldog bred.
We just took finals, now here's a lesson:
Playcalls on the field, will keep you guessin'.
You sure you wanna play?
Cuz the lambs are silly.
We're the hottest things in red,
Since sweet red chile.
Goin' for five of six, Another bowl game snack.
Sorry Mountain West, It's another win for the WAC."
Though the team might be a little over confident, it might be just the thing this team needs to put together one more dominant effort to show just how strong this team is. The game is scheduled to get underway at 11:30am PST and will be televised by ESPN.
The Bulldogs arrived in Albuquerque on Wednesday and got right to work with a 2-hour practice, the teams' first practice since Sunday. They weren't allowed to practice Monday or Tuesday due to finals schedules.
Though they did get a practice in, they also had time to have a little fun as both teams faced off in a cooking and entertainment challenge. Fresno State players Chris Carter, Bobby Lepori, Joe Bernardi, Sharrod Davis, Jason Crawley, and Drew Lubinsky took part in the cooking challenge, they were judged by the owner of El Pinto Mexican Restaurant, a landmark there in Albuquerque. In the entertainment portion of the day, Crawley recruited teammate Nico Herron as they to do this rap...talk about confidence.
"Green V on my helmet for Central Valley
Takin' the trophy back to Cali
New Mexico winter means it might snow
Tommy makes it rain touchdown throws.
Defense up the middle, sick with the sacks
Special teams on the field
And we'll run one back.
Offense gets you red,
defense gives the blues.
Those C. State Rams are crazy in the head,
Cuz we're Bulldog born and Bulldog bred.
We just took finals, now here's a lesson:
Playcalls on the field, will keep you guessin'.
You sure you wanna play?
Cuz the lambs are silly.
We're the hottest things in red,
Since sweet red chile.
Goin' for five of six, Another bowl game snack.
Sorry Mountain West, It's another win for the WAC."
Though the team might be a little over confident, it might be just the thing this team needs to put together one more dominant effort to show just how strong this team is. The game is scheduled to get underway at 11:30am PST and will be televised by ESPN.
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