Friday Farewells for June 25, 2010

This weeks Friday Farewells is brought to you by the Utah Jazz and BP because they are both desperate for some positive PR right about now and we will do anything to make some coin.


Farewell:

Draft Dreams.  After I got word that Gordon Hayward got drafted 9th to the Jazz I had visions of glory.  Described by some "EXPERTS" as a kid who can't jump, shoot, or run.  This lead me to think...THIS IS MY YEAR, I can't do any of those things either.  I went out and bought 30 hats and waited by my webcam for my big debut.  I made sure my phone, my wife's phone, and the house phone were all on chargers within a two foot radius of me and listed my status on Skype as available, very available.  Unfortunately the phones never rang although my Skype instant messenger was ringing off the hook, but a lot of wrong numbers.  Oh well there is always next year.  Tears yeah my hopes were pretty high.  In fairness to Gordon aren't those the same things said about Larry Bird?  


John Isner. Thank you for playing in the longest match in TENNIS HISTORY...now leave.  Really what did we think would happen after playing his first round match for over 11 hours divided over 3 days then make him play the next day in his second round match.  WOW, shocking he lost in straight sets.  I am sure it isn't because he WAS TIRED.  Seriously, Wimbledon is so much based on tradition, schedule, and structure that the guy cannot get the day off.  No hospitality like the British.  Thanks for captivating us for the last three days and give somebody a reason to talk about the first round of Wimbledon even with the World Cup going on here is some crappy food, a nice white sweater, and your ticket back to the States.  Hope you enjoyed your stay.  Tears of PURE ANGER... I mean really delay his match give the guy a day off.


Rasheed Wallace.  The Sheed is no more an NBA star or even player for that matter.  This leaves us wondering where will referees go to fill their technical foul quota for the season.  The NBA is thrilled as it will save a bundle on bleep sound effects and referee technical bonuses.  We will miss Sheed as we do all Tar Heels when they give up the game.  Two T's and then we got ejected.  


Bad Luck & Bad Calls.  These two often go hand in hand so we were glad they left together in the 91st minute of Team USA's game against Algeria.  After two goals called back in two different games and 79 chances that just didn't find the back of the net it finally ended when Landon Donovan's rebound shot found the back of the old onion bag.  Even more miraculously than the goal in stoppage time was the fact that the referee did not call it back.  HALLELUJAH! We are glad this depression duo left or it would have been the US that we bid farewell to today.  Let's hope they stay away as we enter the knockout stage Saturday @ 2:00 PM ET against Ghana on ABC.  It is like voting you must watch.  TEARS OF JOY! USA USA USA! 


16 Teams. The world cup has advanced to the knock-out stage which is interesting since more teams are actually knocked-out during the group stage.  Sixteen teams have headed home and sixteen are left one of which will be left standing as World Cup Champion.  This is one of many phrases I don't understand in soccer, like stoppage time.  Stoppage time is done after the clock should have stopped and no one is quite sure when it ever will stop except the head referee.  Someone please STOP the madness.  Anyway sixteen countries including France & Italy can pick up their teams and souvenirs at baggage claim.  Bon voyage. Chow. Tears only for the South Africans who were so close and it would have meant so much.  


Multiple Run Leads.  The College World Series has been overshadowed by the World Cup, but it has not been outscored.  We like scoring and comebacks in America ask the US soccer team.  The CWS has been filling Rosenblatt Stadium with great games and memories in its last year.  Huge comebacks, late inning heroics and then there were four: TCU, UCLA, Clemson, & South Carolina.  Check them out today and remember in college baseball no lead is safe, just ask Florida State & Oklahoma.  Tears, only because this is the last year in Rosenblatt, what a great place.

If you have the fever and the only cure is Friday Farewells here you go.

Formal Apology

The Four6Three would like to issue a formal apology. The Four6Three prides itself in accurate analysis & honesty devoid of emotion to cloud or slant our judgement. This evening my brother made some negative comments on Twitter about the home plate umpire in the Arizona State vs. Arkansas Super Regional. Those comments were not completely true or accurrate. I am afraid my brother let his emotions get the best of him. In order to be a 100% honest & accurrate I will clarify. ESPN announcers did not complain about calls 10 times, it was atleast 18. They also said the umpiring was "shady". My brother was also far too cruel to state the umpire should be sent to little league. The Four6Three believes that children are the world & the future. In order to make it a brighter day for the children we must not expose them to an umpire like this the pain & suffering could require counseling. Again we would like to apologize & hope that our fans will forgive our mistakes concerning this matter.
Sincerely,
your nonbias emotionally controlled friends @ the Four6Three

Sweet 16 Baseball Style

The Road to Omaha now has just 16 as finally we know the Super Regional Matchups thanks to a little bit of sunshine finally coming out in the Sunshie State.  Miami defeated Texas A&M to claim the last spot today inspite of a rainout yesterday and more rain delays today.  The Super Regional Matchups are as follows:

Friday/Saturday/Sunday Super Regionals (home team listed last):
Miami vs. Florida
Cal St. Fullerton vs. UCLA
Vanderbilt vs. Florida State
TCU vs. Texas

Saturday/Sunday/Monday Super Regionals (home team listed last):

Arkansas vs. Arizona St.
Alabama vs. Clemson
Oklahoma vs. Virginia
South Carolina vs. Coastal Carolina

The stage is set after Monday, hopefully barring a rainout, we will have the CWS lineup.
For more information, start times, and interactive stats etc. go here.

College Baseball Regional Update

After three days of regional action 8 teams have claimed Super Regional births and 8 spots remain to be decided today.  Those who advanced: Oklahoma, Arizona State, South Carolina, TCU, Texas,  Florida St, UCLA, Florida.
The matchups today for those still fighting for spots include: Arkansas vs. Washington St., Clemson vs. Auburn,
Georgia Tech vs. Alabama, Virginia vs. St. John's, Coastal Carolina vs. College of Charelston, Louisville vs. Vanderbilt, Cal St. Fullerton vs. Minnesota, & Miami vs. Texas A&M.

Eight will advance and eight will go home today.  It is compelling action.  To tune in click here and then click on progress then on the video of the game of your choice.

The Four6Three loves college baseball and loves the Regional & Super Regional action on the way to Omaha.  We also attempt to not have favorites, but just to root on great college baseball action.
GO HOGS! I guess we failed, but it was worth a shot.

College Baseball Home away from Home

The 64 teams have been selected (no crazy 65 like basketball) for this years Road to Omaha. 
The Top 8 National Seeds are:
1: Arizona State
2: Texas
3: Florida
4: Coastal Carolina
5: Virginia
6: UClA
7: Louisville
8: Georgia Tech
All of which are hosting.  The other hosts include Oklahoma, Arkansas, TCU, Miami, South Carolina, Fullerton, Auburn, UConn. 

The controversy surrounds UConn since Florida State is actually the #1 Seed in that bracket and yet UConn gets to host in order to "help grow college baseball."  I understand wanting to help grow college baseball, but Florida State cannot be happy about going all the way to Connecticut to play the lower seeded Huskies.  I think this is a great plan that can be executed when the hosting school does not have an adequate site/facility i.e. Coastal Carolina.  FSU's stadium is great so that is not the case here and as far as growing college baseball, I think the people in Tallahassee would beg to differ.

For the full interactive bracket complete with game times click here.
If you are looking for a printable version to take with you, fill out, and tuck under your pillow at night click here.