On Monday afternoon the Miami Hurricanes found themselves in unchartered waters. The club gathered for one final 2017 team meeting, waiting for a call which never came.
For nearly a half century, the ‘Canes have participated in college baseball’s national championship tournament. In fact, each of the past two seasons Miami was able to ride the familiar wave all the way to Omaha. This time they were left out.
It was immediately speculated that Miami was the “first team out of the field.” It was abundantly clear that a number of key Sunday upsets around the country likely dashed their hopes. Whatever the case, the program’s modern day trademark, simply known as “the streak” finally ended as a 44 year run of NCAA Tournament appearances.
Think about this, generations of ballplayers and fans know nothing of a world without Miami competing for the title. A thousand thanks are due head coaches Ron Fraser and Jim Morris, as well as, their student-athletes for maintaining the standard across the decades. Success is never easy to attain, sustained success even more difficult.
Though seemingly everything, all the way down to the championship format itself had changed drastically over the years, the Hurricanes remained constant. Regional baseball in south Florida became as consistent as the mid-afternoon showers.
When one considers how much Miami won during the stretch, its ending becomes a bit easier to swallow. Four national titles and twenty-five College World Series appearances come to mind. This is a team which maximized its opportunities during the run, winning well over one hundred regional (and eventually super regional) games at home. Still, this ever increasing number was a part of the program’s character. It will never be forgotten.
The rare early start to the off-season will provide a chance for some reflection and perspective. Likely a banner or wall decal will be purchased and properly placed to immortalize the forty-four year run. For a while it will sting, especially considering that bitter rival FSU now takes over the mantle of longest tournament streak (at forty seasons and counting by the way). In time, however, the consistency Miami gave the sport in this now bygone era will turn the bittersweet taste of this particular season’s disappointment into a badge lasting pride.
In taking a moment to pause and look back at what Miami accomplished, most around the sport simply echo the words of head coach Jim Morris. As reality settled in on Monday afternoon, there he was, sitting in the dugout, facing the unusual prospects of a tournament without his green and orange clad warriors. He stated simply, “it was an honor and a privilege to be a part of.”
How true these words, for us all.