Brent Kemnitz speaks at 10:30

[Cdizzle]

As would I, DPriuett, but I'd also be hoping he gets back to the days when he brought in freshman pitchers who had a major (positive) impact. It's been a while -- even Kris Gardner, who was solid, won just five games last year. Compare that to Fullerton's two freshman stars, as described by ESPN in their super regional preview:

"...Fullerton's top two starters, both freshmen: Thomas Eshelman (1.59 ERA, 78 strikeouts, TWO walks, 107 2/3 innings) and Justin Garza (1.92 ERA, 89 strikeouts, 16 walks, 108 innings)..."

I realize things are different in California, but wouldn't it be nice to see the second coming of New Mexican Steve Uhlmansiek, or midwesterners Aaron Shafer or Jordan Cooper? Let's hope.

In his six starts, spanning 31 innings, Brummett allowed just one run. Freshman All-American.

[Hovpen]

So I guess you're removing yourself from consideration, then?

Ah, yea. I think that would be a given lol

[SB Shock]

After listening - did anybody else come away with the opinion of ...
Coup d'état

[shox1989]

After listening - did anybody else come away with the opinion of ...
Coup d'état

The thought certainly went through my mind as the whole thing just seemed so wierd.

[WSUwatcher]

In his six starts, spanning 31 innings, Brummett allowed just one run. Freshman All-American.

Great work by Garrett, and I'm very excited about him and wish they had got him involved sooner. (Of course, he probably wasn't the toughest recruit to land, either.) But 31 IP in six starts, however good, isn't what we've seen from Shocker freshman studs in the past -- that's why I cited the amazing numbers from Fullerton. I'm not expecting that, but in 2006 Aaron Shafer burst on the scene with 11-3, 2.63, in 99 IP. And as we now know, he wasn't exactly Mike Pelfrey as a prospect. Is that kind of freshman just extinct as far as WSU is concerned? I hope not, and I hope Brent is rejuvenated in his ability to find one.

[shocks02]

Paul Suellentrop reporting that the Brent Kemnitz show will happen tonight at 6 on 1330.

[AngryWheat=FTW=]

Paul Suellentrop reporting that the Brent Kemnitz show will happen tonight at 6 on 1330.

Did anybody catch that show?

[shox1989]

Did anybody catch that show?

Yes I listened. It was more of the same from this morning. He praised Gene a lot. Praised JT and hoped the best for him. And talked about his excitement to continue to build on what they have accomplished at WSU. He very much sounded like a head coach.

I tried to get my wife to listen, but she wouldn't have any part of it. I told her it sounded like We had got what we always hoped for. That after Gene retired, BK would take his place and continue the dynasty. If you didn't know what had happened the last couple of days and had just tuned into the radio show tonight that is exactly what it sounded like.

[RoyalShock]

After listening - did anybody else come away with the opinion of ...
Coup d'état

I mentioned in another post that his excitement and energy level made me think he has felt for awhile that a change needed to be made, but due to his understandable loyalty, couldn't say anything.

[shocker3]

I wasn't a bit surprised to hear Brent's excitement. He always sounds like that. That is typical Brent. As a strong supporter of Gene and Brent, I am very happy that Brent was allowed to stay. He will be able to keep current players from leaving, keep the recruits from going elsewhere and keep many fans on board.

We had a young team this year that should be very good next year. Now I feel more comfortable that we will still have a very good year next year. If Brent had been fired too, I fear it would mean next year would have been a rebuilding year or maybe even a total disaster.

Brent also is able to give Gene and JT the praise they deserve. As Gene's pitching coach for 35 years, his continued presence also keeps the Gene Stephenson Legacy alive and well.

[WSUwatcher]

After listening - did anybody else come away with the opinion of ...
Coup d'état

Well, I didn't hear it; I just read others' comments about it. But that doesn't sound too plausible, if only because it's also been reported that Gene lobbied on behalf of his staff. Not likely he'd have done that if he had thought someone was undermining him.

A far more likely explanation is Royal's. Kemnitz probably hasn't been too happy the last few years, either: poor results; increasingly nervous about his job status at a point in life when he ought to be able to fine tune his retirement plans and finances instead (something more challenging for him than for Gene, considering Brent's substantially lower salary); tired of being asked by recruits or their parents whether he'll still be around coaching guys a few years from now, or of hearing about other coaches spreading stories of impending doom.

So when the nightmare finally ended, and he woke up safe, still with a job and a new contract on the way, Brent's relief from the uncertainty was immediate and invigorating. That's a much simpler and more straightforward explanation (and thus a better one -- Occam's Razor in action) than anything involving palace intrigue. Not very satisfying for anyone into conspiracy theories, I'll admit. But much more likely to be the real story.

[BenWSU]

Have most fans forgiven BK after the OU debacle ?

[Aargh]

Kemnitz was always the main recruiter for Stephenson. Stephenson had built up any number of reasons that other recruiters could give recruits and their parents about why someone should not sign with WSU. It was getting to be prettry easy to do negtive recruiting against Gene.

Want to play for a coach that supports a pitcher who beans a guy in the on deck circle?
Want to play for a coach who has to pay off women to avoid the stalking charges the police are pursuing?
Lately, you can add...
Want to play for a guy who's winning fewer games every year in the last decade or so? The better players will always choose the program on the way up rather than the program on the way down. Gene benefitted from that in the '80's and '90's. Then he suffered from that.

Someone asked if maybe Sexton had talked to Kemnitz before the meeting with Gene and the lawyer. Seriously? You think Sexton went into this without knowing Kemnitz' stance. Stephenson obnviously did not know Kemnitz' position. "If I'm fired, all the assistants are fired, too".

Kemnitz sticking around seems to indicate the next coach will be a WSU alum. Kemnitz may be skeptical of being the pitching coach for an unknown.

I think this raises the possibility of Hooper taking over. Hooper's weak spot is recruiting. Kemnitz is the main recruiter for the current staff. Problem solved.

Coming out of HS, Hooper was a 5'8", 140 lb. second baseman. In college, he was a .340 hitter (that's a guess) who had a sweet doubles stroke to the outfield gaps (that's not a guess). Hooper is one of the best over-achievers, compared to what you might expect, in the history of Shocker baseball. Overachievers tend to be overachievers their entire lives. That's just what they do.

[shox1989]

Have most fans forgiven BK after the OU debacle ?

That is a good question. The temporary Ou move never bothered me. But it definitely seems to have bothered many on this board. And BK was the one who convinced Gene to go to Ou in the first place.

[ShockTalk]

Have most fans forgiven BK after the OU debacle ?

Few here begrudge their jump to OU, pretty much all disliked Gene's comment on the OU podium.

(And no, I don't believe he meant what he said because he had lead WSU to a National Title.)