P is for Polk
- Thread starter olddawgfan
- Start date
I was sad. I knew that there was no way for him to top what he did in the 80's and 90's. He left on top in 1997- and that's how it should have ended. Aside from winning the SEC Tournament in 2005 and going to Omaha in 07, it was a disaster. It's too bad that LT didn't have the ball to say no.
But Polk I- I'd say he's probably second to Skip Bertman as far as the greatest SEC baseball coach in the history of the league. If Polk I had come along at a later time, I think he might have actually won a National Championship because of the talent that you have to have nowadays to just compete in the SEC. We're about as dominant in baseball as we are in football. I say that because competition makes you better and take it to another level, and I think that's probably what would have happened with us in the postseason.
To me, we were always a pitcher or two too short. Had some pretty good offensive teams in the 80's. But having two pitchers that were good and a good closer used to be enough to compete and maybe even win the SEC. That caught up to us in the postseason though.
As it is, Polk was a major reason for making SEC baseball what it is right now. And his book also had a major impact on baseball in general. When I was hanging out with the Royals in spring training, Brian Poldberg- who was their minor league coordinator at the time. He found out I was a student at MSU and called me over to his office. He said "I want to show you something"- and he pulls out Ron Polk's book. They use it to teach defense to their younger players and he told me that everyone else uses "the book".
But Polk I- I'd say he's probably second to Skip Bertman as far as the greatest SEC baseball coach in the history of the league. If Polk I had come along at a later time, I think he might have actually won a National Championship because of the talent that you have to have nowadays to just compete in the SEC. We're about as dominant in baseball as we are in football. I say that because competition makes you better and take it to another level, and I think that's probably what would have happened with us in the postseason.
To me, we were always a pitcher or two too short. Had some pretty good offensive teams in the 80's. But having two pitchers that were good and a good closer used to be enough to compete and maybe even win the SEC. That caught up to us in the postseason though.
As it is, Polk was a major reason for making SEC baseball what it is right now. And his book also had a major impact on baseball in general. When I was hanging out with the Royals in spring training, Brian Poldberg- who was their minor league coordinator at the time. He found out I was a student at MSU and called me over to his office. He said "I want to show you something"- and he pulls out Ron Polk's book. They use it to teach defense to their younger players and he told me that everyone else uses "the book".
but if you think about it he was trying to take care of one of his guys and he made a move to give us what he thought was the best coach for the job. I think most fans/alums disagreed with that assessment but I don't fault the guy for trying. He said some stupid stuff, I say stupid stuff all the time.
Ron Polk did wonderful things for MSU. He is a MSU hero and should always be remembered that way. He created a lot of fun and joy for those of us who grew up watching MSU baseball. I'm going to let the bad stuff go and just remember Ron for what he did for us. He deserves to always be treated as a MSU legend.
Ron Polk did wonderful things for MSU. He is a MSU hero and should always be remembered that way. He created a lot of fun and joy for those of us who grew up watching MSU baseball. I'm going to let the bad stuff go and just remember Ron for what he did for us. He deserves to always be treated as a MSU legend.
that was his yes man. That move was 2/3 about Polk and 1/3 about Raffo. And believe me, Polk knew what he was doing and trying to do.
Raffo would have been the head coach, but Polk would have had a major say in certain things.
Raffo would have been the head coach, but Polk would have had a major say in certain things.
