Keep going, Bruins!

Who would have thought that the USA soccer team would have been eliminated from the World Cup before the UCLA baseball team was eliminated from the College World Series? Yet that's what happened today, with Ghana beating Team USA 2-1 and eliminating them, while UCLA clobbered TCU 10-3 and moves into the final best-of-three series against the winner of this afternoon's Clemson-South Carolina game.

As I noted, I have paid attention to college baseball only sporadically. Having watched the UCLA games, however, I'm impressed by the quality of the players and the winning spirit of the team. Pitcher Trevor Bauer, of the discolored cap, who went 8 innings today, seems representative -- somewhat eccentric, but damn good.

Go Bruins!!

UCLA baseball? Who knew?

When I was in college I don't think I went to a single college baseball game, even though I attended quite a few sporting events, including not only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's (then Lew Alcindor's) first appearance on campus and a bunch of rugby games, for heaven's sake. I have been aware that a number of UCLA players, notably Troy Glaus, have distinguished themselves in the bigs, but I've never paid much attention to UCLA baseball or college baseball in general.

Then a few weeks ago, having more free time to channel-surf than any non-invalid would, I became aware that UCLA was playing Cal State Fullerton for the right to go to the College WOrld Series in Omaha. Having worked in Orange County all these years I was aware the CSF is a perennial power and occasional national champion. So I was pleased that UCLA beat them and then, on Saturday, I believe, beat Florida rather decisively in the first round of the CWS. The Bruins are playing again today, and I think I'll give them a watch.