The expectations are lofty. The proverbial sky is the limit. The day has come to play ball. Of all the teams and competitions we cover in this beautiful boot shaped state, no two teams provide as much optimism as LSU and Ragin’ Cajuns Baseball. No two teams are as certain to deliver quality and competitiveness either. Cajuns fans and Tigers fans alike have been throwing the word “Omaha” around almost as much as Peyton Manning used to. Omaha is a place in America where big college baseball games are played, but what exactly does saying “Omaha” mean in regards to what these two fan bases expect of these ball clubs?
When you say “it’s Omaha or bust” as a Ragin’ Cajuns fan, does that mean you expect this team to be one of the 8 or does it mean more? Does it mean you expect the Cajun bats to be effective enough to properly support the likes Nick Lee, Gunner Leger, and Hogan Harris? Does that mean you expect Alex Pinero and Joe Robbins to put this team on their backs and carry the team to the place where the Chanticleers roam? Do you believe this season is a success for the Ragin’ Cajuns if they can just make it to the Cornhusker state or do you want more? It’s going to take more than just a solid pitching staff. It’s going to take more than playing well at home in a new palace. Where do you set the bar? If I am a Cajuns fan I set it as high as it goes.
When you say “Omaha or bust” as a LSU Tigers fan, does that mean you just think this team will win the SEC? Does it mean you expect injuries to be easily overcome? Does it men you believe enough power will be found in a lineup full of line drive hitters? Does it mean you believe Paul Mainieri when he GUARAN-DAMN-TEES that he will find a third starter? If that is the case and you do believe all those things, then does that mean your bar is being set at the highest of highs? I think that’s what you should be doing. The talent is there. The pedigree and the leadership is second to none.
I think both fan bases should both be setting their goals as high as they can and then take it one further. When people say “Omaha or bust,” to me that is nice, but that is not as high as the bar goes. I want you to take me high, high, higher! Okay, so now you’re saying “College World Series champions or bust”? That’s nice, but you can get higher. Come on! Get a good start on it, use the Fosbury Flop technique and GO EVEN HIGHER! “But Alan Maggle, how can it possibly get any higher than being the champs? You’re nuts!” You wanna get nuts!? Let’s get nuts! The sky is the limit! Screw “Omaha or bust,” this season the mantra after April 11th, the thing on the minds of both Cajuns fans and Tigers fans alike needs to be “rematch or bust!” Omaha needs to happen for both, sure, but after the showdown at the Shrine on Airline in the Wally Pontiff Classic, we all know that the only way this season should end is with a rematch in Omaha between the Cajuns and Tigers. If you’re going to dream, dream big!