Let me start off by saying that I just concluded my 16th season broadcasting Tulane baseball, so I have been to my share of college ballparks during that stretch. I felt compelled to say on the air, and now here, that this past weekend was, without a doubt, the best experience that I have had on the road. Your ballpark, your fans, your staff...not to mention your team, are tops on the list. There were times I didn't want to say anything, jut so the people listening back home could hear the cheers (and singing) on the crowd mic. If you didn't know any better, you would think you were at a soccer match in Wembley Stadium...the standing O for Matt Wilson is something I'll always remember...When our players were singing the chants and Sweet Caroline on the bus ride home yesterday, you know that an impression was made.
I know the last 2 days were tough on us, but the best team won the regional. I have NEVER seen a hitting display like that in my life the last 3 days...with some pitching and D, there is no doubt you guys have what it takes to win it all. I can tell you this, there is no doubt as to what team I'm pulling for...the only regret I have is that Tulane and FSU won't meet again on the baseball diamond for who knows how long. Hopefully we'll meet again soon, THIS time though in our brand new ballpark in New Orleans, and many of you make the trip west.
Good luck against the Shockers and hopefully back in Omaha!!
TG
This post was edited on 6/4 11:00 AM by TGraffTU
Posted on 6/4 10:27 AM | IP: Logged
Really classy post... It was nice seeing Tulane take down the Gators.
Posted on 6/6 12:41 AM | IP: Logged
For whoever asked if Tulane is going to be on the West Coast next year, the answer is yes. We play UC-Irvine out there. We usually play one series a season on the West Coast. We played Long Beach in '98, Nevada and San Diego State in '99, Arizona in '00, UCLA in '01, Pepperdine in '02, at the KIA Bash at Fullerton in '03, at Arizona State in '04, Pepperdine in '05, and USC in '07.
Good luck against the Shockers!!
This post was edited on 6/5 9:06 PM by Wavebaseballfan
Posted on 6/5 9:04 PM | IP: Logged
Originally posted by Wavebaseballfan: For whoever asked if Tulane is going to be on the West Coast next year, the answer is yes. We play UC-Irvine out there. We usually play one series a season on the West Coast. We played Long Beach in '98, Nevada and San Diego State in '99, Arizona in '00, UCLA in '01, Pepperdine in '02, at the KIA Bash at Fullerton in '03, at Arizona State in '04, Pepperdine in '05, and USC in '07.
Good luck against the Shockers!!
This post was edited on 6/5 9:06 PM by Wavebaseballfan
Rock on. I hope it's early in the year... I am set to be out of here by this time next year. I'd love the chance to payback some of the nice things you guys have said by giving your team one more screaming voice to support them.
Posted on 6/5 11:46 PM | IP: Logged
It should be early on. In the past we've headed out of town when Mardi Gras rolls in. Too many distractions.
Posted on 6/7 3:09 AM | IP: Logged
TGraffTU,
Thanks for the kind words. The feeling is mutual. We had a nice young man and his little brother sitting next to us who were Tulane fans. They drove over planning on staying only through Sat. because of financial reasons. One of the guys in our section manages a local motel and called his front desk and arranged for a discount so they could stay longer. Another FSU fan gave them some free hot dog coupons given away at Howser during the regular season. When he ran out of batteries for his radio (listening to your in stadium transmitter), I gave him some fresh batteries.
They were true baseball fans and ended up staying through Monday until the last out after midnight. They then drove back to Slidell after the game. I hope and pray they arrived safely.
We all cheered together for Tulane against the Gators, and I told him when FSU and Tulane played that I would consider it a friendly rivalry. And that is what happened. I was as impressed with Tulane's fan's as you were with ours.
If you want to read a good example of what FSU baseball fans are all about, read what happened when Providence came to our regional in 1999:
http://www.sectionb.com/prov.htm
By the way (and this is not sucking up to you because of your post) but several of us with radios listened to your broadcast on Tulane's in stadium transmitter (great idea, by the way) and we all agreed that you are one of the best college baseball announcers we have heard. The comment was made that if you ever decide to leave Tulane, we would love to have you here. In case you didn't know, our long time announcer died unexpectedly a couple of years ago.
Posted on 6/5 10:03 AM | IP: Logged
Originally posted by TGraffTU: Let me start off by saying that I just concluded my 16th season broadcasting Tulane baseball, so I have been to my share of college ballparks during that stretch. I felt compelled to say on the air, and now here, that this past weekend was, without a doubt, the best experience that I have had on the road. Your ballpark, your fans, your staff...not to mention your team, are tops on the list. There were times I didn't want to say anything, jut so the people listening back home could hear the cheers (and singing) on the crowd mic. If you didn't know any better, you would think you were at a soccer match in Wembley Stadium...the standing O for Matt Wilson is something I'll always remember...When our players were singing the chants and Sweet Caroline on the bus ride home yesterday, you know that an impression was made.
I know the last 2 days were tough on us, but the best team won the regional. I have NEVER seen a hitting display like that in my life the last 3 days...with some pitching and D, there is no doubt you guys have what it takes to win it all. I can tell you this, there is no doubt as to what team I'm pulling for...the only regret I have is that Tulane and FSU won't meet again on the baseball diamond for who knows how long. Hopefully we'll meet again soon, THIS time though in our brand new ballpark in New Orleans, and many of you make the trip west.
Good luck against the Shockers and hopefully back in Omaha!!
TG
This post was edited on 6/4 11:00 AM by TGraffTU
TOTAL Class Act...great post...thanks!
Posted on 6/4 9:09 PM | IP: Logged
TG, thanks again for the compliments. reading that gave me chills.
Posted on 6/5 9:10 AM | IP: Logged
That was such a great post, and it's not often that opposing fans post such nice things about us. I've always had a soft spot for Tulane. My gg uncle taught there, and it was a school I considered going to.
It's great that there is such a positive feeling about the games. Good luck to Tulane in all sports in the future.
Best
Posted on 6/4 9:04 PM | IP: Logged
Thanks for the kind words TGraffTU,
When I listened to your broadcast of the Florida game I commented to my significant other that "this guy's got game..." You are truly a pro.
Good luck to you and The Wave, you have a second fan base in your corner from now on!
Posted on 6/4 7:02 PM | IP: Logged
I read it twice... Tgraff's first post deserves to be "Tomahawked"...
Posted on 6/4 7:51 PM | IP: Logged
Originally posted by Thebear612: I read it twice... Tgraff's first post deserves to be "Tomahawked"...
It will be. The first ever SBOMB thread to be Tomahawked too.
Posted on 6/4 8:20 PM | IP: Logged
Originally posted by MadCow:
Originally posted by Thebear612: I read it twice... Tgraff's first post deserves to be "Tomahawked"...
It will be. The first ever SBOMB thread to be Tomahawked too.
That's good. It's a terrific testimonial to the A of SB and FSU.
Posted on 6/5 10:17 AM | IP: Logged
For all the kind words about our team and to those who listened to the broadcasts...it is greatly appreciated.
As an aside, when you go back through the years, there are always the "what if's"...I think the #1 "what if" that I will always have was the Tulane-FSU. meeting that never materialized in the 1999 Super Regionals.
Tulane was a #1 seed that year with 44 wins and our lineup was arguably the best in the history of the school. Led by the career HR record holder at Tulane, Chad Sutter (now our pitching coach), the Wave hit a school record 128 HRs (our 9 hole hitter hit 20), and this was the first year after the bats were changed to -3.
Thanks to our AD at the time (name not worth mentioning), who had absolutely no foresight that the great fans of Tulane Baseball could not support a regional (which we found out 2 years later was ludicrous), we were shipped to Auburn for the regionals...in the opening game, we had a 3 run lead in the 9th inning with an All-Amercan closer on the mound against the Winthrop Eagles...the first batter reached on an error by our 1st baseman and 3 runs later, we went to extras, only to lose in the 11th. We had to come out of the losers bracket, just like you guys did this weekend, on the road...we proceed to eliminate NC St and Winthrop, and have to beat Auburn twice in one day...after beating them 7-5 in the first game, we were out of pitching, and they basically outscored us in the second game ending our season, and ending a potential SR matchup at Dick Howser against the Seminoles...one I am convinced would have gone down as one of the best SR's of all time. between 2 GREAT teams playing at the top of their game. Sad that we'll never know.
Posted on 6/5 12:17 PM | IP: Logged
TGraff - wonderful comments! Thanks for your graciousness. My first cousin, Bryan Brown, was a two-time MVP at Tulane and I believe also went to Jesuit. He still lives in NO, and I'll be with him (and his wife and kids) at the beach in a month (to rag him over our victory, particularly since I recall him beating us twice in Tally with game winning hits back in the early 90's ....once when we were ranked #1 in the country). He handled one of our top pitchers at the time, Gar Finnvold, with ease. I wonder if you remember Brian. He was drafted by the BoSox, made it to the AAA and then had some injuries that caused him to call it a career. His first roommate was Aaron Sealey in single A ball with the Sox.
Posted on 6/5 8:38 PM | IP: Logged
What a wonderful thread to read, and you have no idea how this just made my day!
Posted on 6/5 3:37 PM | IP: Logged
This is what it's all about, folks!
Posted on 6/4 8:24 PM | IP: Logged
Thanks for the wonderful feedback, TGraff. You guys helped make the weekend enjoyable by knocking off the crocodiles.
Best of luck to the Green Wave in the future.
Posted on 6/4 7:00 PM | IP: Logged
That was a very gracious post. Thanks. I think we all appreciate how much all ball players put into these long seasons. By the way, I think us fans are terrific but I also credit the animals for giving us that unique edge, and for MM for being the First Class example.
Posted on 6/4 5:53 PM | IP: Logged
Looking at the picture that Fluffy posted, that looks like a beautiful facility. Where did Tulane play before? Was it the Superdome? I had a friend back in the late 1990s who played for Mississippi State, and they played Tulane in the Dome.
Posted on 6/4 6:53 PM | IP: Logged
Thanks a lot, that is pretty cool of yall to say something like that. Of course i cant hear anything about FSU out here in NM because of the media not ever covering baseball. But if you could direct me to a site to listen or watch the games that would be cool. Anyway though I hope the powers that be read this and try to schedule yall down the road, definatley glad you had a great time in Tally. And for stomping the Gaytors. I'll be rooting for you whenever i see you play.
Posted on 6/4 5:15 PM | IP: Logged
I have to say that I was TOTALLY jealous of the Tulane fans who got to go to your house for Regionals. I listened to every broadcast to cheer on my Wave and was just floored by your fans. By game 2 I found myself singing along to Sweet Caroline! You guys just flat out ROCK - both in the stands and on the field.
All the best from here on out and know that this Wave fan will be pulling for ya'll all the way. I want to hear ALOT of Sweet Caroline in OMAHA by you guys!!!!!! I'm going to look up the words to Oh Canada so I can sing that one too ...
Posted on 6/4 4:12 PM | IP: Logged
That is one of the nicest letters I've ever seen and it really touched me and, obviously, other 'Nole fans as well. Please--I said this to many of your parents, staff and fans who were waiting outside for the bus--reiterate how much WE ENJOYED HAVING YOU HERE IN TALLAHASSEE. I know we've all had the misfortune of dealing with less than pleasant fans from other schools and even some of our own who leave embarrassing or poor impressions on others. Tulane fans were all around us in Section 8 and we conversed throughout all the games. They wer genuinely nice and classy folks. We'd love to have you back anytime. Thanks for making this such a memorable Regional.
This post was edited on 6/4 10:50 PM by irishstr
Posted on 6/4 2:52 PM | IP: Logged
You are total class. Thank you for those kind words. I only wish I could have heard your play by play. Go Tulane!
Posted on 6/4 2:25 PM | IP: Logged
I loved listening to you beat FU on the internet, BTW
Posted on 6/4 2:27 PM | IP: Logged
Originally posted by TGraffTU: Let me start off by saying that I just concluded my 16th season broadcasting Tulane baseball, so I have been to my share of college ballparks during that stretch. I felt compelled to say on the air, and now here, that this past weekend was, without a doubt, the best experience that I have had on the road. Your ballpark, your fans, your staff...not to mention your team, are tops on the list. There were times I didn't want to say anything, jut so the people listening back home could hear the cheers (and singing) on the crowd mic. If you didn't know any better, you would think you were at a soccer match in Wembley Stadium...the standing O for Matt Wilson is something I'll always remember...When our players were singing the chants and Sweet Caroline on the bus ride home yesterday, you know that an impression was made.
I know the last 2 days were tough on us, but the best team won the regional. I have NEVER seen a hitting display like that in my life the last 3 days...with some pitching and D, there is no doubt you guys have what it takes to win it all. I can tell you this, there is no doubt as to what team I'm pulling for...the only regret I have is that Tulane and FSU won't meet again on the baseball diamond for who knows how long. Hopefully we'll meet again soon, THIS time though in our brand new ballpark in New Orleans, and many of you make the trip west.
Good luck against the Shockers and hopefully back in Omaha!!
TG
This post was edited on 6/4 11:00 AM by TGraffTU
That is an incredible compliment.
Both programs have a lot to be proud of. Good luck in the future and thanks for smoking the Gators in game 1.
Posted on 6/4 2:04 PM | IP: Logged
Tulane had a respectable contingent of fans who were decidedly un-gator-like (that's a very good thing).
Here's a shot of their new stadium for the curious. Nice digs.
Posted on 6/4 1:49 PM | IP: Logged
Turchin's a supernice stadium...we went to see it on opening day, and apart from the turf, it's absolutely gorgeous. It was a lot of fun to see all the Green Wave fans tailgating on the neutral ground.
Graff, we often listen to you calling TU games on local radio - thanks for sharing your experience in Tallahassee.
Posted on 6/4 2:08 PM | IP: Logged
THanks. It always has alot more meaning when someone on the other side is complimentary.
Posted on 6/4 2:16 PM | IP: Logged
...I'll add my thanks. Always nice when true baseball fans come to Dick Howser and have a good time.
Well...Bucknell said they had fun, Tulane obviously had fun, pretty sure FSU enjoyed it.......anybody heard from the Gators? I'd just HATE it if they didn't enjoy themselves here in Tally!
Posted on 6/4 1:28 PM | IP: Logged
Wow...thank you. That made me so proud to read that, I teared up. I appreciate your kind words, that's what good sportsmanship is all about, Good Luck to the Green Wave next season!
Thanks to the Animals for leading us!
This post was edited on 6/4 5:48 PM by Fsuwarpath10
Posted on 6/4 1:15 PM | IP: Logged
I think this along with the Bucknell story need to be posted on sectionb permanently...not as big as the providence thing, but this is the stuff that makes the animals special!
Posted on 6/4 1:08 PM | IP: Logged
Thanks for the kind words.
Posted on 6/4 1:10 PM | IP: Logged
First class. Made me proud of our fans and the team while reading it. I'd like to see this pinned on the front page personally.
Posted on 6/4 12:47 PM | IP: Logged
Originally posted by abellwillring: First class. Made me proud of our fans and the team while reading it.
Yes thank you for taking the time and posting. Glad y'all had a good experience at Howser.
Posted on 6/4 12:51 PM | IP: Logged
Thank you for taking the time to make this post. I love FSU baseball. I have seen the fans be very gracious to visiting teams and really enjoying the sport. (We have our moments though ... instate rivalries!) It is always special to have a visiting team that we haven't seen before, and the spirit of enjoying college baseball is shared by all. I am glad you had a good experience at FSU.
Posted on 6/4 12:39 PM | IP: Logged
Thanks for the kind words.
Posted on 6/4 12:36 PM | IP: Logged
Very nice post. Glad you enjoyed yourself while you were here. Hopefully we will play each other again sometime in the near future. Every tulane fan I met was nothing but nice, very pleasant experience overall.
Posted on 6/4 12:09 PM | IP: Logged
Class is something one cannot buy. Thank you so much for the kind words, and here's to continued success for your fine program.
Posted on 6/4 12:16 PM | IP: Logged
Thanks for the nice words.
Tulane was as tenacious a bunch to play here. Tell McFadden we are glad he wont be up to bat anytime soon here.
Posted on 6/4 11:20 AM | IP: Logged
Thanks so much for the kind words. It really means a lot when somebody like you takes the time and effort to actually sit down and write such a nice letter. Most do not do that, even when they have a good experience.
Somebody needs to send a copy of this to the canes board.
Posted on 6/4 11:16 AM | IP: Logged
Thanks a million, TGraff. That's why I have always said what a classy school you guys are--I have fond memories of our sports competition from way back in the old Metro days
Posted on 6/4 2:19 PM | IP: Logged
Thanks for a great post. It is always good to hear from the other side. Best of luck to Tulane next year.
Posted on 6/4 11:23 AM | IP: Logged
I can't wait for any reason to road trip over to New Orleans. I'm glad Tulane is getting a new ballpark. They have a great history and still play runner-up to LSU in big easy.
Thanks for the comments!
Posted on 6/4 11:37 AM | IP: Logged
Originally posted by GeauxNoles: I can't wait for any reason to road trip over to New Orleans. I'm glad Tulane is getting a new ballpark. They have a great history and still play runner-up to LSU in big easy.
Thanks for the comments!
Tulane just got a new ball park. It is complete field turf baseball surface. I posted a picture of it a few weeks ago on here.
Posted on 6/4 1:30 PM | IP: Logged
Thanks for the kind words. It's great to know that we're appreciated and I love it when people say they have a great time in Tallahassee.
Posted on 6/4 1:45 PM | IP: Logged
Thanks for sharing, classy. I really enjoyed the grit of the Tulane BB team. They don't quit and play the game the right way. Best of luck next season.
Posted on 6/4 11:46 AM | IP: Logged
Thank you so much for the kind words. I am very glad that you were treated well and that you enjoyed your visit to Tallahassee. I was at your first game rooting for you to beat the gaters. Some of your players kept glancing up at us as if they were trying to figure out who was chanting for them.
When you talk to your team, be sure to tell them that we never saw quit in their eyes and we are proud that our team was able to beat a team as tough as they are.
Posted on 6/4 11:05 AM | IP: Logged
Hey, Graff, didn't you go to DLS? I was listening to your broadcast on Friday afternoon against that gainesville school and I thought your name sounded familiar. (DLS Class of 1997 & FSU Class of 2001)
Thanks for the kind words! GEAUX SEMINOLES and Roll Wave!
Posted on 6/4 11:13 AM | IP: Logged
We'd actually be making the trip WEST, TGraff, but thank you so much for the kind words. Makes me very proud to be an FSU alum when I hear stories like this. The Animals are a class act. Thank you again.
Yahoo! Sports
I'd just HATE it if they didn't enjoy themselves here in Tally!