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By Collegebaseball360.com Editor Sean Stires

The Ring Is The Thing…

As of this posting we are just a little more than three months away from the start of the 2011 college baseball season, so it’s fitting that we start this week’s Notebook with the 2010 champions. Ray Tanner and his South Carolina

South Carolina players received their CWS rings Saturday (courtesy South Carolina athletics).

Gamecocks received their 2010 national championship rings over the weekend. The presentation came at halftime of the South Carolina-Arkansas football game Saturday night (11/6) at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, SC. Tanner, his assistants and team received their CWS rings at the 50-yard line. Fireworks and balloons punctuated the ceremony.

Honoring “The Voice”…

Before that same South Carolina-Arkansas football game the Gamecocks paid tribute to longtime South Carolina play-by-play announcer Bob Fulton. The 89-year-old died last Wednesday at his Lexington home. Fulton retired in 1995 after 43 years calling South Carolina football, basketball and baseball. He was inducted into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 1994.

Wonderdogs Or Torture?

Fresno State radio play-by-play man Paul Loeffler is also a lifelong San Francisco Giants fan. Just a few years ago it might have seemed that fans like Loeffler would go a lifetime without seeing a championship for either team, but all that has changed. Loeffler called FSU’s 2008 “Wonderdog” run to the CWS Championship, and now he has seen his beloved Giants win a World Series title. He has also written a good piece comparing the improbable title runs of both teams. Here’s one of his observations:  “The most powerful parallel is that the team is so much more potent than the sum of its parts. Turn these Giants into your fantasy league entry, and you’ll fall to dead last. It’s not about the eye-popping stats, it’s about the power of we over me.”  The entire piece is posted on Fresno State’s web site. CLICK HERE to read the whole thing.

The Beard Not Feared…

No doubt, San Francisco Giants closer Brian Wilson (formerly of LSU) and his beard garnered about as much attention as anyone (or anything) during the Giants’ World Series run. “Fear The Beard” signs were everywhere, as were San Francisco fans with faux beards in the stands. Wilson now has a group of college players who are using him (and his beard) for motivation. The University of Northern Colorado pitching staff has plastered Wilson’s mug on the back of their staff t-shirts. They read “Baseball NC P-Staff” on the front and “Mental Assassins” along with a screen print of Wilson’s face on the back of the shirts (pictured left, click-on photo to enlarge). There might be an influx of facial hair coming soon in Greeley, CO.

Molitor Out Front…

MLB Hall of Famer, Paul Molitor, has been enlisted to help the University of Minnesota raise funds to build a new baseball stadium. Prior to his 21-year Big League career, Molitor starred for three years as a Golden Gopher in the 1970s. He is now the chairman of  The Siebert Field Legacy Campaign, which hopes to raise $7.5 million to build a new stadium on the site of the current Siebert Field. The stadium, built in 1971, has split Minnesota home games with the Metrodome over the years, but it was not used in 2010 and all of the Gophers’ 2011 home games are slated for the

Golden Gopher great Paul Molitor is now helping raise funds for a new stadium (courtesy Minnesota Athletics).

Metrodome as well. The university says the new facility would be a “multi-use venue that will accommodate the needs of Gopher baseball, provide benefits to sports using adjacent facilities, enhance the experience of fans and visitors and serve as an important resource for amateur baseball in Minnesota.”

A New Stony Stadium…

Stony Brook is in the process of renovating it’s Joe Nathan Stadium. The first phase of the project is expected to be completed by March 2011. It includes a new FieldTurf surface, new dugouts, new bullpen, and new fences. Fundraising is currently underway for phase two of the project, which would include a new scoreboard, lights, stadium seating, and a press box. Joe Nathan Field is named for former Seawolves and current Minnesota Twins pitcher Joe Nathan. He contributed the lead gift for the facility. Stony Brook has won three America East Tournament championships since its elevation to Division One status in 2002.

Say What?

Just for some perspective, a non-BCS Conference school, Stony Brook, is building a new stadium in the northeastern part of the country in the village of Stony Brook, NY. Another cold weather school, Minnesota, is spending millions to build a new stadium as well. Meanwhile, Cal-a school that receives BCS revenue and has the benefit of great weather…not to mention the fact that it had more alums on MLB rosters than any other school at the start of last season, is eliminating its baseball program. Does that make sense? Savecalbaseball.com.

Red Sox For Rams…

Boston Red Sox season tickets are hard to come by, but the Rhode Island baseball team has a pair. URI is raffling off a pair of Red Sox season tickets for the 2011 season. The tickets (Section 24, Seats 17 and 18) have a face value of more than $8,000. Raffle tickets for a chance to win the season tix can be purchased for $100, with no limit on the number of raffle tickets an individual can buy. Proceeds will help Rhody baseball offset the costs of travel, equipment and facility upgrades. CLICK HERE for more information.

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MACOMB, Ill – Western Illinois University has announced the hiring of Mike Villano as its new head baseball coach, Monday, Nov. 23.

Mike Villano (Courtesy CMU)

eight seasons.

“This is a bittersweet announcement in that we will always remember Stan Hyman as a great person and a great baseball coach,” Western Illinois Director of Athletics Dr. Tim M. Van Alstine said.

“However, I am pleased to announce that Mike Villano will continue in Stan’s footsteps as the new Leatherneck baseball coach. Mike has an impressive and extensive background that spans from his time as a student-athlete to his professional playing career and his time as a coach.”

Villano spent the past six seasons at Central Michigan University, where he served as the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator and spent last season as the team’s hitting coach.

“I am very excited about this great opportunity at Western Illinois,” Villano said. “I believe the program has tremendous potential because of its location in an area of the country that produces many great baseball players.”

Under his guidance, the Chippewa pitching staff led the Mid-American Conference in team ERA in 2008 (4.62) and 2005 (3.31). His pitching staff finished second in the MAC and 14th nationally in ERA (3.71) while also finishing second in the conference in opponent batting average (.256) and strikeouts (387) during the 2007 campaign.

His 2007 staff included the MAC Pitcher of the Year in Josh Collmenter, who was eventually drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks.

On the recruiting trail, Villano helped compile a class that was ranked 27th nationally and first in the Midwest Region by Collegiate Baseball in 2006. He has coached a total of 27 players who have gone on to professional careers.

The Chippewas posted an overall record 202-137 (.596) and a conference record of 99-55 (.643) in Villano’s time as an assistant.

Prior to his career at Central Michigan, Villano spent one season as the pitching coach at Oakland (Michigan) where he helped lower the pitching staff’s ERA from 7.00 in 2002 to 4.90 in 2003.

Villano enjoyed a successful playing career at both the collegiate and professional levels. He was a four-time all-conference selection as a pitcher at Saginaw Valley State University and was named as the Great Lakes Conference Freshman of the Year in 1991.

He was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 24th round of the 1994 amateur draft and played professionally for nine seasons, culminating with a Major League call-up from the Florida Marlins in 1998.

Villano earned his bachelor’s degree from Saginaw Valley State in 2001 and also earned a master’s degree in physical education from Central Michigan in 2008.

(Release)

Former Washington Husky Joins Impressive List Of Consecutive Winners.

Lincecum

Lincecum led the NL with 261 strikeouts and tied for the league lead with four complete games and two shutouts.

A product of Liberty High in Renton, Lincecum spent the 2004 through 2006 seasons with the Huskies and won the Golden Spikes Award as the nation’s top amateur baseball player in 2006.

He is just just the fourth National Leaguer to win the Cy Young in consecutive seasons. Sandy Koufax won it in 1965 and 1966 and both Randy Johnson (1999-2002) and Greg Maddux (1992-95) won four straight. In the AL, Pedro Martinez, Jim Palmer, Denny McLain and Rogers Clemens have each won two straight, with Clemens having won two in a row on two separate occasions.

The Cy Young Award is the biggest single-season honor ever given to a former Husky in one of the big three professional sports.

Only 10 points separated the top three vote-getters. Chris Carpenter was second and St. Louis teammate Adam Wainwright finished third despite getting the most first-place votes.

The 2009 honors for Lincecum and Kansas City Royals ace Zack Greinke reflect a recent shift in how voters pick baseball’s best pitchers. Wins, losses and ERA used to determine the Cy Young Award winner – now it’s detailed statistics such as WHIP, FIP and BABIP.

Greinke equaled the previous low of 16 wins for a non-shortened season when he won the AL award on Tuesday.

“It’s turned into a game of complete numbers and statistics and what people do with that,” Lincecum said. “So I mean just to put more options in the voters’ heads about what’s supposed to be more important, which takes priority over another, that’s all based on opinion.”

Lincecum received 11 first-place votes, 12 seconds and nine thirds for 100 points in balloting released by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. Carpenter had nine firsts, 14 seconds and seven thirds to take second with 94.

Wainwright, who led the NL with 19 wins and 233 innings, had 12 first-place votes, five seconds and 15 thirds for 90 points. Trevor Hoffman, who finished behind Tom Glavine in 1998, is the only other player to get the most firsts and not win the award.

“The guys I was going up against, Wainwright and Carpenter, had tremendous seasons,” the 25-year-old Lincecum said. “It was a lucky one for me. I’ll take them as I come I guess.”

Two voters, Will Carroll of Baseball Prospectus and Keith Law of ESPN.com, did not include Carpenter on their ballots. Carroll had Wainwright in the top spot, Lincecum second and Arizona’s Dan Haren third. Law voted for Lincecum, Atlanta’s Javier Vazquez and Wainwright in third. Those were the only votes in any position for Haren and Vazquez.

Lincecum, who had a $650,000 salary and is headed for a big raise now that he’s eligible for arbitration, did not have any bonus provision for winning the award. Carpenter receives $100,000 for finishing second, Wainwright $100,000 for winding up third and Vazquez $70,000 for being voted fourth.

Lincecum teamed with Matt Cain to give the Giants a strong 1-2 punch at the top of their rotation, helping them stay in contention all year in one of baseball’s biggest surprises. He went 15-7 with a 2.48 ERA in 32 starts and 225 1-3 innings.

“I’m excited,” Giants infielder Pablo Sandoval told The Associated Press. “I’m very happy for him. He did a great job for the team and he had great numbers.”

San Francisco selected the 5-foot-11, 170-pound Lincecum with the 10th overall selection in the 2006 draft out of Washington, and he instantly became the organization’s top pitching prospect since Hall of Famer Juan Marichal signed with the New York Giants as an amateur free agent in 1957. He made his major league debut in 2007 and is 40-17 with a 2.90 ERA in three seasons.

(Release)

Former Maverick Lackey Starts For Angels In Game Five vs. Yankees

John Lackey

Lackey, who played at UT Arlington during the 1998 season, was 11-8 with a 3.83 ERA in 27 starts this season. He logged 176.1 innings while allowing 177 hits and 47 walks with 139 strikeouts.

In his eight-year career, Lackey is 102-71 with a 3.81 ERA, 233 starts and 1,501.0 innings pitched. Lackey has 1,201 career strikeouts with 441 walks allowed.

In two starts this post-season, Lackey is 1-1 with an impressive 1.38 ERA in 13.0 innings pitched. His last start – Game 1 against the Yankees – Lackey allowed nine hits and four runs (two earned) with three strikeouts and three walks in 5.2 innings while taking the loss.

Lackey is trying to lead the Angels back to the World Series, where the 6-foot-6 right-hander won Game 7 to give the Angels a world championship in 2002. Lackey worked five innings, allowing one walk with four strikeouts when leaving the game with a 4-1 lead against the San Francisco Giants.

He became the first rookie pitcher since 1909 (Babe Adams – Pittsburgh Pirates) to win a World Series Game 7.

HALL-OF-FAME CATCHER HIRED BY DIVISION II SAILFISH

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.- Palm Beach Gardens resident and baseball Hall-of-Fame catcher Gary Carter was named head baseball coach on Tuesday for the NCAA Division II Palm Beach Atlantic University Sailfish.

Carter played for the Montreal Expos from 1974 – 1984 and the New York Mets from 1985 – 1989, where he was a member of the 1986 Mets team that won the World Series. Carter spent a season each with the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers before finishing out his 19-year playing career with a final season in Montreal. He was named to the All-Star Team 11 times, twice selected as Most Valuable Player. A winner of three Golden Glove Awards and five Silver Slugger Awards, he is a member of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and the New York Mets Hall of Fame.

In 2003, Carter began a second successful career in baseball as a manager. He was named Gulf Coast League and Florida State League Manager of the Year in 2005 and 2006 respectively, and won the Florida State League championship in 2006 with the St. Lucie Mets. In 2008, Carter led the Orange County (Calif.) Flyers to a championship in the Golden Baseball League and was honored as that league’s Manager of the Year. He managed the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League for the 2009 season.

Rob Avila, the present Palm Beach Atlantic Sailfish coach, will assist Carter during this transition through June 1.

Carter has lived in Palm Beach County since 1982. Carter has been married to wife, Sandy, for 34 years. They are members of Christ Fellowship. The couple have three children − Christy, Kimmy and D.J. − and three grandchildren. Daughter Kimmy Bloemers is the head softball coach at Palm Beach Atlantic where her husband, Kyle, serves as the athletics compliance officer.

“The Palm Beach Atlantic University community is excited to have Hall of Famer Gary Carter coaching our young men,” University President Lu Hardin said. “Gary Carter is not only a great ball player, but also a fine Christian man and will be a tremendous influence on our players.”

“I am looking forward to becoming a Sailfish,” Carter said. “My goal is to make Palm Beach Atlantic’s baseball program the strongest Division II program in the country. But my primary goal is to help these young athletes become better Christians and prepare them for life, not just baseball.”

Palm Beach Atlantic University is a Christian university with a total enrollment of 3,200 students offering undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. Located in West Palm Beach, Florida, the University is an NCAA independent competing in 11 varsity sports.

(Press Release written By: Becky Peeling, Assistant Vice President for University Relations and Marketing)