Sorry if Germans... Ron Polk got a standing ovation tonight at the Basketball Game.*
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Sorry if Germans... Ron Polk got a standing ovation tonight at the Basketball Game.*
in the 80's. Unfortunately, very few people leave on top- and he certainly didn't. We are now into a new era of MSU baseball that I think will be another good one as well.
in the 80's. Unfortunately, very few people leave on top- and he certainly didn't. We are now into a new era of MSU baseball that I think will be another good one as well.
Sorry if Germans... Ron Polk got a standing ovation tonight at the Basketball Game.*
He put himself and his petty wishes above the best interest of MSU. Not acceptable!
He put himself and his petty wishes above the best interest of MSU. Not acceptable!
Sorry if Germans... Ron Polk got a standing ovation tonight at the Basketball Game.*
He felt that he had earned the right to name his successor. He may have been right, but he went about it in public which was not good for anybody. You have a new AD that has to make a tough decision. He was placed in a tough spot. He had to prove he had the balls to stand up to an icon of MSU. I applaud him for taking a stand and making his hire. I still have a lot of respect for Coach Polk and what he did for our baseball program.
He felt that he had earned the right to name his successor. He may have been right, but he went about it in public which was not good for anybody. You have a new AD that has to make a tough decision. He was placed in a tough spot. He had to prove he had the balls to stand up to an icon of MSU. I applaud him for taking a stand and making his hire. I still have a lot of respect for Coach Polk and what he did for our baseball program.
Sorry if Germans... Ron Polk got a standing ovation tonight at the Basketball Game.*
already done that with mcmahon. The second time around he didn't deserve to name his successor imo. Yes he acted ridiculously and I'm sure regrets it(maybe not) but we wouldn't even care about MSU baseball if it wasn't for him. He made MSU a prominent and well respected name in the baseball world. So even though he acted like a dumb 17 (I understand where he was coming from) he still has my respect for all of the great things he did for us. *End Soapbox Here*
already done that with mcmahon. The second time around he didn't deserve to name his successor imo. Yes he acted ridiculously and I'm sure regrets it(maybe not) but we wouldn't even care about MSU baseball if it wasn't for him. He made MSU a prominent and well respected name in the baseball world. So even though he acted like a dumb 17 (I understand where he was coming from) he still has my respect for all of the great things he did for us. *End Soapbox Here*
Sorry if Germans... Ron Polk got a standing ovation tonight at the Basketball Game.*
that he is bigger than the program. He made it what it is. Had some very good years and deserves all the respect, applause, etc. that he receives. In the end he was just being a stubborn old man that we can associate with. Had it not been for him who knowsif MSU and SEC baseball would be what it is today. Hejust had a hard time with a young ,at that time unproven, ad trumping him. Stand up for him, he does deserve it.
that he is bigger than the program. He made it what it is. Had some very good years and deserves all the respect, applause, etc. that he receives. In the end he was just being a stubborn old man that we can associate with. Had it not been for him who knowsif MSU and SEC baseball would be what it is today. Hejust had a hard time with a young ,at that time unproven, ad trumping him. Stand up for him, he does deserve it.
Sorry if Germans... Ron Polk got a standing ovation tonight at the Basketball Game.*
Most of it was as much if not more about Polk than Raffo.
If Raffo had become our coach, Polk was still going to be around as the "volunteer assistant"- same job as he has now at UAB. Raffo was his yes man. If Raffo's our coach, I wouldn't have been shocked if there was a Polk III at some point.
I think Coach Polk on one hand realized that the game was passing him by, but at the same time, he didn't have the balls to fire McNickle- which is what he really should have done- and the pitching staff imploded on him, and I think he was still set in some of his ways. He didn't know what or how to change.
He also really did not want Cohen to be our head coach. That was part of it too. Actually that was a lot of it.
Most of it was as much if not more about Polk than Raffo.
If Raffo had become our coach, Polk was still going to be around as the "volunteer assistant"- same job as he has now at UAB. Raffo was his yes man. If Raffo's our coach, I wouldn't have been shocked if there was a Polk III at some point.
I think Coach Polk on one hand realized that the game was passing him by, but at the same time, he didn't have the balls to fire McNickle- which is what he really should have done- and the pitching staff imploded on him, and I think he was still set in some of his ways. He didn't know what or how to change.
He also really did not want Cohen to be our head coach. That was part of it too. Actually that was a lot of it.
Sorry if Germans... Ron Polk got a standing ovation tonight at the Basketball Game.*
Ron Polk should let that sink in.
In fact I think I will mail this post to him.
Ron Polk should let that sink in.
In fact I think I will mail this post to him.
Sorry if Germans... Ron Polk got a standing ovation tonight at the Basketball Game.*
but this is how I think of it. There NEEDED to be an overhaul of the program. There needed to be someone at the helm to take it in a different direction with different people. Had Polk named his successor, he would have still been a HUGE part of the operations. He would essentially still be in control as head coach simply because that's what he was for so many years. Decisions, recruiting, direction, everything would have gone through Polk, even if he wasn't the "head coach." <div>
</div><div>The Cohen hire needed to happen. Even if it wasn't Cohen specifically, Byrne made the correct decision to push the program in a new direction. Polk had run his course, and he certainly deserves every ounce of respect due to the fact that he did so much for this program. But even as a very tenured head coach, he had to understand that the decision for a successor was not his to make. It was the administration. The administration felt they needed to cut more ties with Polk than just removing him from the head coach position. I think it was handled as best as it could have been. I wish Polk had not blown up the way he did and caused a scene, but it happened. Most have forgotten that it happened and that is superb. He doesn't need to be remembered for the hissy fit he threw when he left, he deserves to be remembered for where he brought us through his time here. However, our administration understood the program needed to go in a different direction and cutting ties with Polk needed to happen for that goal to be reached. </div>
but this is how I think of it. There NEEDED to be an overhaul of the program. There needed to be someone at the helm to take it in a different direction with different people. Had Polk named his successor, he would have still been a HUGE part of the operations. He would essentially still be in control as head coach simply because that's what he was for so many years. Decisions, recruiting, direction, everything would have gone through Polk, even if he wasn't the "head coach." <div>
</div><div>The Cohen hire needed to happen. Even if it wasn't Cohen specifically, Byrne made the correct decision to push the program in a new direction. Polk had run his course, and he certainly deserves every ounce of respect due to the fact that he did so much for this program. But even as a very tenured head coach, he had to understand that the decision for a successor was not his to make. It was the administration. The administration felt they needed to cut more ties with Polk than just removing him from the head coach position. I think it was handled as best as it could have been. I wish Polk had not blown up the way he did and caused a scene, but it happened. Most have forgotten that it happened and that is superb. He doesn't need to be remembered for the hissy fit he threw when he left, he deserves to be remembered for where he brought us through his time here. However, our administration understood the program needed to go in a different direction and cutting ties with Polk needed to happen for that goal to be reached. </div>
Sorry if Germans... Ron Polk got a standing ovation tonight at the Basketball Game.*
was the fact that he would act like he was the only good baseball coach we ever had. Dudy Noble, R P Patty, and Paul Gregory, and heck- Pat McMahon even all were successful at MSU. I think Gregory has actually won as many SEC Championships- if not more- than Polk, and he took us to Omaha before Polk.
We had an assistant coach that a lot of MSU people don't know about named Tom D'Armi who was responsible for making Dudy-Noble Field one of the nicest stadiums in the SEC in the 70's. And the LFL actually started before Polk as well. But to hear it told- you would think that we hired Polk and people started pulling up their pick up trucks en masse to the outfield.
As many people know- Polk keeps up with his ex-players pretty well. But if you were someone that played under Gregory or whoever- it was like you weren't a part of the program at all. Those guys were very rarely invited to things like the alumni game and stuff like that.
That's why I say Polk took us to the next level- but the truth is he really built upon what others had laid the foundation for.
was the fact that he would act like he was the only good baseball coach we ever had. Dudy Noble, R P Patty, and Paul Gregory, and heck- Pat McMahon even all were successful at MSU. I think Gregory has actually won as many SEC Championships- if not more- than Polk, and he took us to Omaha before Polk.
We had an assistant coach that a lot of MSU people don't know about named Tom D'Armi who was responsible for making Dudy-Noble Field one of the nicest stadiums in the SEC in the 70's. And the LFL actually started before Polk as well. But to hear it told- you would think that we hired Polk and people started pulling up their pick up trucks en masse to the outfield.
As many people know- Polk keeps up with his ex-players pretty well. But if you were someone that played under Gregory or whoever- it was like you weren't a part of the program at all. Those guys were very rarely invited to things like the alumni game and stuff like that.
That's why I say Polk took us to the next level- but the truth is he really built upon what others had laid the foundation for.
Sorry if Germans... Ron Polk got a standing ovation tonight at the Basketball Game.*
why he was so enamored with naming his successor anyway. If I were him, I wouldn't give a rip. It was kind of weird- but that's Coach Polk for ya!
I agree with you 100%. We needed to cut ties with Polk. Our baseball fanbase/program was really fractured at that point in time- and I think it lasted for a couple of seasons after that even. You had the Polk people and you had the people that wanted someone else. I think time and this past season have helped repair that to a degree and I think we're starting to move forward. That's why you had BS like "Cohen's cussing in the dugout and I can hear it in my seats".
And while Raffo has done a good job at Arkansas State, it's not like he's doing anything spectacular there to where we would say- "Oh, we screwed up". I hope he continues to do well- they seem to like him over there.
Believe it or not- we had to get rid of McNickle too- he was in over his head. We had a really bad reputation in the baseball community for hurting pitchers when he was our pitching coach. It has taken us awhile to fix that. And Polk was never going to fire him.
The truth is this though- I think Cohen would have let Polk be a very visible part of MSU baseball, but of course Polk's actions eliminated that. It would not have been to the degree that Polk wanted, but he would have been able to hang out and sit in the dugout and etc. Byrne really wanted whomever the best coach for MSU was- but I don't think he was necessarily aiming at totally getting rid of Polk. That would have been a huge mistake on Byrne's part as popular as Polk is.
What's sad about the whole thing to me is MSU baseball is better if Ron Polk is a part of it. And by part of it I mean hanging out and being at the games in the stands and being an ambassador for fans, MSU, and baseball. But Polk ruined it for himself.
why he was so enamored with naming his successor anyway. If I were him, I wouldn't give a rip. It was kind of weird- but that's Coach Polk for ya!
I agree with you 100%. We needed to cut ties with Polk. Our baseball fanbase/program was really fractured at that point in time- and I think it lasted for a couple of seasons after that even. You had the Polk people and you had the people that wanted someone else. I think time and this past season have helped repair that to a degree and I think we're starting to move forward. That's why you had BS like "Cohen's cussing in the dugout and I can hear it in my seats".
And while Raffo has done a good job at Arkansas State, it's not like he's doing anything spectacular there to where we would say- "Oh, we screwed up". I hope he continues to do well- they seem to like him over there.
Believe it or not- we had to get rid of McNickle too- he was in over his head. We had a really bad reputation in the baseball community for hurting pitchers when he was our pitching coach. It has taken us awhile to fix that. And Polk was never going to fire him.
The truth is this though- I think Cohen would have let Polk be a very visible part of MSU baseball, but of course Polk's actions eliminated that. It would not have been to the degree that Polk wanted, but he would have been able to hang out and sit in the dugout and etc. Byrne really wanted whomever the best coach for MSU was- but I don't think he was necessarily aiming at totally getting rid of Polk. That would have been a huge mistake on Byrne's part as popular as Polk is.
What's sad about the whole thing to me is MSU baseball is better if Ron Polk is a part of it. And by part of it I mean hanging out and being at the games in the stands and being an ambassador for fans, MSU, and baseball. But Polk ruined it for himself.
Sorry if Germans... Ron Polk got a standing ovation tonight at the Basketball Game.*
This is a very similar situation to what happened with Jackie. Both guys hung around too long long and drove their respective programs into the ground. The only major difference is that Polk threw a major hissy fit and embarrassed And demeaned us all by putting himself above what was best for the baseball program. Time healed wounds with Jackie, and we are all able to look back on the good times. Time may have healed some wounds for some with Polk, but I feel he owes us all an apology for his actions. That's what I need, at least.
I believe enough time has passed for him to be more visible on campus, and he has the opportunity to be Polk the Legend again and not just Polk the Nutjob. How much involvement he has should be up to Cohen, but it would be good to have him around. He just needs to admit he went off the deep end.
This is a very similar situation to what happened with Jackie. Both guys hung around too long long and drove their respective programs into the ground. The only major difference is that Polk threw a major hissy fit and embarrassed And demeaned us all by putting himself above what was best for the baseball program. Time healed wounds with Jackie, and we are all able to look back on the good times. Time may have healed some wounds for some with Polk, but I feel he owes us all an apology for his actions. That's what I need, at least.
I believe enough time has passed for him to be more visible on campus, and he has the opportunity to be Polk the Legend again and not just Polk the Nutjob. How much involvement he has should be up to Cohen, but it would be good to have him around. He just needs to admit he went off the deep end.
Sorry if Germans... Ron Polk got a standing ovation tonight at the Basketball Game.*
to name his successor the SECOND time, truth be told, he should have never been brought back from Georgia by LT. Tried to quit on us in 93?, and did finally retire in 98 after bringing McMahon back for several years. No reason to bring a guy back who wanted to get out of our job that many times and whose best years were already WAY behind him. After the way he threw a hissy fit about his SECOND replacement I don't would not cheer him, probably wouldn't boo him either but definitely wouldn't cheer him. I feel like he personally caused a lot of the team not to fully accept Cohen when he first got here.
to name his successor the SECOND time, truth be told, he should have never been brought back from Georgia by LT. Tried to quit on us in 93?, and did finally retire in 98 after bringing McMahon back for several years. No reason to bring a guy back who wanted to get out of our job that many times and whose best years were already WAY behind him. After the way he threw a hissy fit about his SECOND replacement I don't would not cheer him, probably wouldn't boo him either but definitely wouldn't cheer him. I feel like he personally caused a lot of the team not to fully accept Cohen when he first got here.
Sorry if Germans... Ron Polk got a standing ovation tonight at the Basketball Game.*
and I appreciate all the good that Polk did. Yea - he wasn't as great at the end but he still took us to the CWS in 2007.
I just choose to remember the good rather than the bad after a few years. Just like I don't remember Sherrill's last 3 years that never happened which led to his 67-48-2 record all time record at State.
and I appreciate all the good that Polk did. Yea - he wasn't as great at the end but he still took us to the CWS in 2007.
I just choose to remember the good rather than the bad after a few years. Just like I don't remember Sherrill's last 3 years that never happened which led to his 67-48-2 record all time record at State.
Sorry if Germans... Ron Polk got a standing ovation tonight at the Basketball Game.*
I know he really showed his tail at the end and he was not successful when he returned BUT, had it not been for RP college baseball would not have risen in popularity as quickly as it has. The days of MSU/LSU rivalry made college baseball. ESPN got into the act and off it went. Stadiums went up right and left. So, had I been at the BB game last night I would have been one of the ones standing.
I know he really showed his tail at the end and he was not successful when he returned BUT, had it not been for RP college baseball would not have risen in popularity as quickly as it has. The days of MSU/LSU rivalry made college baseball. ESPN got into the act and off it went. Stadiums went up right and left. So, had I been at the BB game last night I would have been one of the ones standing.