Finally, the college baseball gods got it right.
We all knew before this season started that Mike Martin was going to pick up his 2,000th career victory. He only needed 13 more to get there. It was just a matter of time.
Even Martin joked with his wife, Carol, on the way to Dick Howser Stadium on Saturday morning that reaching the mark was inevitable.
"I figured if we can't win one out of the next 45, we're in trouble anyway," Martin said with a laugh.
The fact that it happened on Saturday -- in front of more than 5,000 Florida State fans and many of his closest friends -- made it all the more special. It's why Martin started his postgame press conference like this:
"Before I go any further, I really want to say this from the bottom of my heart. To the great fans of Florida State Baseball and Florida State Athletics, for them to be out here tonight, to celebrate with my family, to watch our players play 'dern' good baseball, it's important that we understand we wouldn't be where we are today without our great fans. They got us going. ... I just want the fans to know that we appreciate them."
If you didn't know it before, allow me to explain: One of the coolest things about Mike Martin being Florida State's head coach for 40 years is the relationship he has developed with local baseball fans.
The ones who still show up in faded "11" jerseys. The ones who sit in the same seats every week and listen to his postgame press conference on their car radios while leaving the stadium. They show up to get his autograph on freezing-cold Fan Days in February, and they go to his weekly luncheons during the season.
To many of them, Mike Martin is not just Florida State's coach. For four decades, he has been synonymous with the program.
And for him, it's those fans in the stands that separate this program from so many others.
The way they rattle opposing pitchers and hitters, and the way they follow the lead of the Animals of Section B. It's "Oh Canada" in the fifth, curtain calls after every home run, and "N-O-L-E-S" cheers every time the offense needs a spark.
Some college baseball coaches appreciate their fans. Mike Martin adores his.
When he makes decisions about schedules and game times, he undoubtedly focuses on what works best for his players from a competitive standpoint. But don't doubt for a second that he isn't thinking about what's best for the fans.
He wants those seats filled every time the scoreboard lights up.
And for the most part, they are. Florida State's home baseball attendance typically ranks among the top 10 or top 15 nationally, despite not having one of the biggest -- and certainly not newest -- stadiums.
"We are so fortunate that they understand that their attendance is important," Martin said, when I asked him about his relationship with the fans Saturday afternoon. "They're here supporting our young men. That's what keeps us going."
As soon as the final out was recorded in FSU's 5-2 victory Saturday, Martin did what he has done hundreds and hundreds of times before. He walked out behind home plate, shook the hand of the opposing coach and then tipped his cap to the home crowd.
The fans were standing and applauding and cheering. It was quite a scene.
Martin then was greeted by FSU President John Thrasher, who for years has described himself as one of Martin's biggest supporters.
"Congratulations, Coach," Thrasher told him. "We could not be prouder of you and all you've done for Florida State."
Martin's response was short but heartfelt: "I'm proud of being a Seminole."
What followed was a celebration befitting the accomplishment. Martin's players held up a banner that read, "Congrats Mike Martin. 2,000 Wins." They tipped their caps as he walked in their direction. He tipped his cap to them as well.
There were hugs and handshakes and high-fives. And, most importantly, there were familiar faces everywhere -- friends and family and fans. One proudly told Martin he had been there for wins No. 500, 1,000 and 1,500 -- he had to be there for 2,000.
Martin posed for pictures. He smiled for fans. And, at the urging of the Animals, offered up his own version of a "N-O-L-E-S" cheer.
"That was fun," Martin said.
You could make an argument that this 2.000th victory celebration was largely symbolic. That the more meaningful accomplishment occurred last May at Clemson, S.C., when Martin passed the late Augie Garrido to become the "winningest" coach in college baseball history.
And that might be true from a pragmatic standpoint.
But even Martin admitted on Saturday that reaching that historic milestone on the road was missing something. His coaches and players were there, along with some family members and fans. But it wasn't anything like this.
And rest assured, win No. 2,000 wouldn't have been nearly the same had it come on Tuesday in Gainesville, or certainly the following weekend at N.C. State.
It needed to happen here at Howser. On the field that bears Martin's name. In front of these fans.
This was one of the main reasons he decided to come back for a 40th season -- to become the first college coach in any sport to win 2,000 games. And now that that milestone has been reached, it's time to focus on another.
"Omaha -- always has been," junior third baseman Drew Mendoza said late Saturday, when asked what the Seminoles are focused on now.
"I second that," teammate J.C. Flowers said, while nodding his head and smiling.
Omaha.
Home of The College World Series.
The college baseball gods got it right on Saturday. Maybe they can do it again.
Contact managing editor Ira Schoffel at ira@warchant.com and follow @IraSchoffel on Twitter.
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Talk about this story with other Florida State football fans in the Tribal Council
