Fire Gene Stephenson

[Ta town]

I'm curious. When Chuck Knoblauch had his throwing issue for the Twins, was that a coaching issue or a player issue?

If the Twins fired the coach, I bet Chuck's arm would have been just fine. Right?

I bet if we fire Gene, Tyler will stop throwing the ball in the backs of runners.

Ya know...Chuck moved to the outfield.

[DaShox]

Knoblauch was traded to the Yankees where the second baseman would go on to win three straight World Series with the Yankees in 1998, '99 and 2000. That included a solid first season when he hit a career-high 17 home runs, as the Yankees won a then-AL record 114 games in '98.

In 2000, after two seasons with the Yankees and numerous throwing errors, Knoblauch began seeing more time at the designated-hitter position. He was eventually moved to left field before leaving the Yankees after the '01 season. Knoblauch then spent one year in Kansas City in '02, and it was after that season that he called it a career.

[GoShockers89]

This analogy is dumb. Real dumb.

Tom Kelly lost 90+ games three out of the next four seasons after Knoblauch left. It was only after Minnesota hired a NEW MANAGER that they tasted the postseason again.

I wish Grimes well, but the level at which I care how he performs as a pro is de minimis compared to how much I care about Wichita State baseball going forward.

Wins and losses are what matters. A coach blaming the players only serves to kill recruiting and steepen the death spiral.

[DaShox]

The bottom line is Gene is not going to be fired. If the situation is that upsetting to you and you really want to be heard, call Eric Sexton. While you are on hold, I guarantee Ruth will be looking up your name in the computer. Maybe you should just send an e-mail.

I'm not defending Gene. I'm not defending 1 CWS in 16 years. But, I swear, if some of you were the AD, every coach and asst. coach would be a former WSU player. Every time there's an opening, it's "ooooh let's hire Matt Breauer, Ryan Martin, Loren Hibbs or some other nonsense. How many guessed Mr Haier as the new bball asst? Zero. None. Nada. Zip. Zero. Be a fan and vent, that's fine. Guess who the new intern is going to be. Fine. But, it's clear many on here couldn't run a YMCA.

[GoShockers89]

So basically quit complaining and accept that the program is tumbling into the abyss.

Thanks for your input.

[KC Shox]

I do not want Gene fired. Obviously the guy know baseball, can recognize and develop talent and is a winner. Past successes affirms this. However, the only thing I may fault him is not recognizing the mental makeup of a person. This is perhaps the hardest thing to do when evaluating talent. Does the guy have what it takes mentally to be a great player?

It is evident that the past few squads are missing something 'upstairs' that is preventing them to rise up and play WSU caliber ball. Is this because Gene failed at not properly evaluating the mental makeup of his recruit, or is it because we just don't get the recruits we used to or both? I say both.

I really doubt Gene is playing the Nintendo Wii during pre-game and post game situations instead of trying to motivate his players. I'm quite sure Gene and staff have talked over-and-over to these players until their heads turned blue to get this guys to wake up and figure it out.

We need to accept the fact that we will never go on a 40 plus win season 20 plus consecutive years again. We need to accept we won't bring in as many top tier recruits as we used to. The college game has changed even bigger than Mean Gene.

[SB Shock]

We need to accept the fact that we will never go on a 40 plus win season 20 plus consecutive years again. We need to accept we won't bring in as many top tier recruits as we used to. The college game has changed even bigger than Mean Gene.

No we don't. We don't have to except anything. I'm tired of hearing the excuses. I'm tired of hearing the excuse about how baseball has changed and their is more parity in the MVC and the MLB draft is killing the program, etc, etc. Excuses for losers. Because their always going to be change - but nobody is talking about the changes in college baseball that should have helped WSU and other northern schools - like consistent schedules, late start, etc.

MVC is not stronger, but weaker. So weak that one of the worst WSU teams could actually win the MVC tournament a couple year ago. A WSU team that is basically a 0.500 team could still win the MVC regular season this year.

It is not harder to host a regional due to college baseball expansion- it just that WSU is not competing well on the field against the 2-3 other teams that is competing for regionals in the midwest. It is the same teams year after year.

All good programs are hurt by the draft - WSU just continues to be caught with the pants down between their legs. Gene and company can't recruit a full baseball team.

The real issue is not whether WSU is falling or decling but the real problem with WSU is they way they are competing and playing the game.

The way they have lost some of these games is mind boggling. It is like this team is smoking dope. Ground ball hit to short stop - and the runner at 2nd tries running to third. Every two-bit, drunk slowpitch softball player know not to do this. You have players not running ball out and hustling. And you could give example after example after example of this happening this year.

This program is not even trying anymore. Just take a look at the atmosphere of the park - they don't know how to run a freaking video scoreboard. Use to be you could have live stats of the players, now Gene has bought a small freaking scoreboard you can't see unless it is dark and all it is a glorified pitcture slide show.

They don't know how to run the PA and music to try and bring crowd energy. Only thing they have is they blare a bunch of crap music whenever a shocker player comes to bat and sing the seven inning stretch. There use to be a ROTC cannon crew for when HR were hit (after they ROTC left they had different sound effects for HR). You won't hear anything played. There was also different sounds they would play during the game to try get the crowd in it.

Look at the coaches show - Gene changes from Kennedy and 1330 to 1410 and to bunch of amateurs. It sure wasn't to put a better product out there for the fans. We all know about the difficulty of 1330, well 1410 is worse and the hosts are clueless twits. BTW I don't even listen anymore.

It is time for the AD, the Coaches and the players to do some self reflection. If they aren't willing to do what it will be to carry on the Tradition of what was Shocker baseball - the need to go.

They Don't Even Try Now.

[ISASO]

Are we to believe that we are in a bigger competitive hole now than we were in 1977? The challenge is bigger now than it was then?

[shockfan89_]

Actually I don't remember the MVC ever being ranked in the Top 10 in conference RPI before. Am I wrong?

[SB Shock]

Actually I don't remember the MVC ever being ranked in the Top 10 in conference RPI before. Am I wrong?

1997 - 10
1998 - 7
1999 - 5
2000 - 14
2001 - 13
2002 - 7
2003 - 13
2004 - 16
2005 - 7
2006 - 12
2007 - 8
2008 - 12
2009 - 17

I suspect in the 90's the MVC had at least some years <<10 with WSU and CU teams especially.

[shockfan89_]

Thanks SB. I am surprised that as of now the MVC is 7 spots higher in conference RPI than last season...

[91 mascot]

I dont care what anyone says - this program needs new blood and Kevin Hooper is the man for the job.

Thank you and I will hang up and lsiten off the air!

[shox1989]

I dont care what anyone says - this program needs new blood and Kevin Hooper is the man for the job.

Thank you and I will hang up and lsiten off the air!

I think all of this talk of firing Gene is just plain crazy.

I love Kevin Hooper but the guy has not been a head college baseball coach anywhere. He has never recruited a single player. I think he would be too green to be the head coach at WSU.

Besides his "pro team" struggled against division 2 Kansas Newman this past week. ;-)

[ShockerFever]

Just plain crazy talk, eh?

Your expectations are pretty soft. Maybe you should root for Creighton or KU or somebody like that.

[SB Shock]

Bump