Canham Just can’t get it done

Aaagh, the idea that Casey built it from scratch bugs me.  Between ‘81 and ‘94 the Beavs had Conference Player Of The Year 7 times and a real good record. They’ve had 8 CPOTYs since.  During the Riley years the conference was 2 teams smaller and they didn’t go deep into postseason like they have since 11 years AFTER Casey Arrived. Casey built a great team, but it wasn’t from scratch and it took a decade+ to make it into the CWS.

So, my post was, more or less, to start a conversation or comment on the reply by BeaverG20 below:

—“Honestly the worst part of the baseball program success is the f%#*ing whiners with insane expectations for the program.

Every team has them, but these last few season have been damn unbearable. People bitching about winning 40+ games and acting like we should be in Omaha every season.

There are valid criticisms, and then there is f%#*ing lunacy.””—

My point in response was that, either, 1) We’re NOT a “blue blood” program as was stated earlier in the thread and so, yes, those expectations of making the CWS every year are unrealistic, or, 2) We ARE a “blue blood” program and so, therefore, it IS fair for fans to expect CWS every season or most seasons.

I, personally, feel that with where the program is/was at when Canham took over it’s reasonable for players and fans to expect a CWS showing most years.  Will that happen, sounds like statistically probably not but I think we’re due as it’s been awhile.  Does that mean the coach has to be fired if we don’t make it 2,3 out of 5 years?  I’m not sure that’s fair or realistic but if we don’t EXPECT Omaha and championships then we’re not a blue blood program.

I think it's reasonable for fans to EXPECT TO COMPETE for a CWS berth in most years. Totally different than EXPECTING a CWS berth.

We have COMPETED for an Omaha berth every single year under Canham. Regional final Game 2, 2021; Super Regional Game 3, 2022; regional final where we were eliminated by the national champion, 2023; Super Regional, 2024.

It is tough to get to the CWS and it is even harder to win. Too many things have to go right to win it all. One bad inning here and there will slam the door shut to winning. To think another coach would do better is not thinking clearly.

The bottom line is that this is a message board. Most fans I sit around and have visited with over the years do not make as many wild statements about player talent and team expectations. Most do not speak to "hype" and expound at length on "potential". Almost all are realistic, many have played, coached, or both and know the game is unpredictable and hype does not necessarily equal production.

Fans at OSU have high expectations, players and staff always will spout high expectations... it is what they believe and really, what else are they to say? But, once play begins all sorts of things happen. Some seem to forget that besides all that can happen in the course of a game or season, opponents also have players, coaches, and aspirations. It is not a one-way street. It is then that "realism" sets in and some on here have a tough time when hype does not equal what actually happens. It is an OSU board so typically it is some conspiracy, poor calls, more recently NIL $, or the portal that has caused poor old OSU to not succeed. Very rarely on here will you see a "... we just got beat by the better team today..." There is always some machination of umpire, NIL $/bought players, what OSU did not do. Versus... maybe (12) Ks were due to an EXCELENT twosome of "pitchers"? Maybe, the errors, wild pitches, were due to the offensive pressure the opponent presents... bunt, hit, run... the pitchers/defense were always thinking, tight, and in reaction mode.

UK was the #2 overall seed for a reason. Yet for some on this board it was almost BS, cuz of course the seeding is bias, the wrong teams get in, undeserving teams host, on and on. OSU as a #15 seed on the road versus the SEC co-champ and #2 seed, and winning is an upset. If you were a UK fan at 3-0, thru the 6th you probably were questioning the UK staff and a bit worried. As there were some wasted opportunities for UK to have a bigger cushion. But, that is baseball and sport in general, there is ALWAYS, ALWAYS multiple opportunities to be the 2nd guessing genius. Because of course those guys not only know what should have been done, they also know the exact outcome if it was handle that way!

I'll add, those that base their speculation of a team like UK and this series based on writeups of guys that have seen mostly highlights and stats... the guys at sites like D1 baseball... know as much about the outcomes as you or I, or some MGM bettor. They pick, praise, and write for one reason only... clicks and money.

As for MC, I've stated my thoughts on him and his staff. The look and act the part, but are still in their "infancy" as college coaches. They are learning on the job, and the status of this program has accelerated their learning curve. Forget that to get to a place where you are even competing for a CWS on a regular, let alone yearly basis, you have to be very good. However, that also means OSU has to play VERY good, highly talented, extremely well coached teams. Sometimes the scoreboard may make it seem like some teams are undeserving, but all 64 in the field are capable of winning games. Fewer of winning Regionals. From that point on your either playing a highly talent/skilled team, or one that is on a roll. No preseason hype or expectations matter in the postseason. It's show up or go home... no excuses.

Selection process is definitely flawed, but I'm not sure we deserved a higher seed. Too many uneven games. Too many games where our lineup disappears.....see yesterday. I think we were seeded about right. Borderline host/high end #2