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When It Counts

June 2, 2008 by TipsterHog 

It was a disappointingly quick elimination of the Diamond Hogs in the Stanford Regional over the weekend.  Unfortunately, based on the program’s recent postseason performances, it wasn’t completely unexpected.

Since the Razorbacks defeated Florida State on June 12, 2004 to advance to the College World Series, their NCAA postseason record stands at a dismal 5-10.

Dave Van Horn (AP Photo/April L. Brown)Four of those five wins have come over the perennial baseball ‘powerhouses’ of Miami (Ohio), Princeton, Creighton and Albany.  Against the ‘real’ teams (Big 12 and Pac-10 conference) during that time frame, the Hogs’ postseason record is a pitiful 1-8.

What makes those stats even more maddening for Hog fans is that Coach Dave Van Horn has produced teams since his Arkansas tenure began in 2003 that have been very competitive.  They have frequently been ranked in the top 25 and consistently collected regular season wins over top-notch competition.

So just to be clear…no one is stupidly calling for Van Horn to leave.  Among other things, his winning percentage and two SEC division titles in six seasons have more than proven that he’s a solid head coach.

But here’s the problem…a precedent has been set over the past several years with the Razorback football and basketball programs:  Just making bowl games or ‘March Madness’ isn’t enough.  Winning some of those postseason games is also required.

If losing five out of seven bowl games puts pressure on the football coach, it can’t be any different with the baseball coach.  If just qualifying for (but not winning) NCAA tournament games isn’t enough to keep the basketball coach off the hot seat, it can’t be any different with the baseball coach.

One of the criticisms since Van Horn became a major college coach in 1998 is that, while he has successfully taken his teams to the College World Series three times, he has never won a game at the postseason classic.

But at this point…I think most Razorback baseball fans would gladly accept the postseason success of just making it back to Omaha again.  Even if that meant quickly losing two games and then coming home.

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Comments

7 Responses to “When It Counts”

  1. BlindHog on June 2nd, 2008 9:28 am

    There is a pattern to this last few years in recruiting for the major sports, with a few noteable exceptions. Last year’s baseball team was primed for the World Series. Boothead Jr.’s last year was a fairly complete basketball team all be it lacking a personality. McFadden’s sophomore year could have been a real BCS success. But, aside from those, most of the teams fielded over that time have been expected to over-achieve or cover a major weakness to succeed.

    Arkansas has not stockpiled athletes like a major SEC program needs to be able to do. We have the coaching. But, success breeds success when it comes to recruiting. Petrino’s reputation is going to fill that gap for now. Pelphry appears to have done well with his first recruiting challenge. Dave seems to like his younger players but not making the WS last year was a real disappointment.

    It is a new day on the hill. Hopefully we are a program on the rise. This is the beginning of something big. As you say, the only real measuring stick anyone will ever use is the post season. When we start winning there we will know we are on our way. Not Until.

  2. Hank Hog on June 2nd, 2008 11:30 am

    I agree completely Tipster. We have fired other coaches for not doing any worse than the the baseball coach has done. I will say this. It is time that we re-stock our assistant coaches. The hitting has been terrible ever since Butler came here from Alabama. We have been close to the top in our conference in strike-outs the last couple of years and that is unacceptable. Butler is also the recruiting coordinator and I believe he has failed at that job also. I believe we can do better with a pitching coach also. We would ask no less from any of the other programs so Baseball should not receive a pass.

  3. GonzoHog on June 4th, 2008 9:17 am

    I’m not quite sure how to rate our baseball program at this point. It’s obvious though we lost a lot of key seniors last year, Our pitching crew was almost completely wiped out by the draft, and what was left over was primarily a very young and mostly inexperienced squad. As far as the hitting coach is concerned, I really don’t have much of an opinion. Last year we had a very exsperienced squad that seemed to always go after the long ball, either hitting a homerun or striking out. This year we were more of a base-hitting team that was up and down all year, but at the same time was very inexsperienced. That’s pretty much a toss-up to me in terms of coaching, but Van Horn know’s what he’s got, players, coaches, or whatever. I’m sure if there need’s to be a shake-up, he’ll do what’s best.

  4. 10KHog on June 4th, 2008 9:58 am

    Gimme a break. I haven’t posted in a long while because frankly, nothing got me riled up. But, this post is just asinine. As with most things in life it comes down to money. And when baseball is a contributing factor to the bottom line at the U of A and when Dave Van Horn is making millions of dollars then I’ll hold him to the same fire that we held Stan Heath and Nutty Buddy to. I know baseball has made some money the past few years, but let’s be real. It is no moneymaker and it definitely didn’t make any money until Van Horn got here. Sure attendance was down this year, but it’s better than any other year before Van Horn.

    I’ll be on your bandwagon when Van Horn has a problem texting media personalities or running off Parade All-Americans and the like. Until then, I’m happy making the tournament every year because I know every once in a while we’ll make a run.

  5. TipsterHog on June 4th, 2008 1:44 pm

    10K…I see you’ve bounced back from the disappointment of this weekend’s quick exit.

    You and Sunshine think way too positively. C’mon over to the dark side with us…and post what you really think about Butler. ;-)

    Either way…it’s good to have you back commenting on the blog.

  6. Walking on Sunshine on June 4th, 2008 4:39 pm

    DVH said it well today at his presser:

    “I don’t want anybody to think I’m happy,” Van Horn said. “Being mediocre, I’m not happy with that. I can’t live with that.”

    He’ll get us there….just be patient.

  7. The 6 year 60 Million Dollar Trough « Hawg Blawg on June 6th, 2008 9:07 am

    [...] to non-conference opponents this coming Football Season. The Razorbloggers look at the Diamond Hogs lack of postseason success. Here’s a look at all of the SEC’s Starting Lineups for the fall football campaign. [...]