I am on my way to Omaha, again. Photographer Robert O'Shields and I left early Thursday morning.
It is Thursday night and I write to you on the interstate (70) somewhere between Columbia and Kansas City, Missouri.
This is my 25th year anniversary in Omaha. Back then I didn't know much about the College World Series or Rosenblatt Stadium. Back then in '84, The University of New Orleans surprised and upset Mississippi State in the Starkville Regional. I will never forget that Sunday night in Starkville. The Bulldogs were loaded with future major league stars. Will Clark and Raphael Palmiero were the heart of their lineup. Jeff Brantley was their ace pitcher. Bobby Thigpen, in the outfield then, converted to the mound in the pros and saved a bunch of games for the Chicago White Sox.
In 1984, the CWS was still a cozy event. I watched many of the UNO games in the seats right near the UNO dugout. Never again.
The CWS is big time. But, it is still one of the last great events in American sports not taken over by corporate. The Super Bowl, the Final Four, the NBA finals, they are all mega events.
Not Omaha. The people are great. The steaks are cheap and the weather is usually quite good.
This is Omaha's Mardi Gras. And, for the 9th time, and I glad to be a part of it. I will report from Omaha daily here on ABC26.com. LSU practices at Rosenblatt tomorrow at 10 am.
Regards, Ed