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College Sports in the Carolinas

Don't miss Al Myatt's profile of ECU Chancellor Steven Ballard in the 2004 Bonesville Magazine.

View from the East Friday, October 22, 2004 By Al Myatt

ECU coaches bask in Beantown's glory

©2004 Bonesville.net

Transplanted New Englanders Bill Herrion and Keith LeClair share a love of the Boston Red Sox.

Their team has been defined by ancient Fenway Park, futility in the World Series and general second fiddle status in regard to their detested rival, the New York Yankees.

The spikes were finally on the other foot on Wednesday night as the Bosox gave their loyal supporters a comeback to cherish for the ages. Boston became the first major league team to rally from an 0-3 deficit to win a best-of-seven postseason series.

Herrion, East Carolina's basketball coach, and his assistant, Greg Herenda, visited LeClair, the former Pirates baseball coach, for the start of Game Seven of the American League championship series.

By the time the basketball coaches departed LeClair's house`in the middle of the second inning, Boston was ahead 6-0 and Johnny Damon was on his way to becoming Boston's biggest hero since Paul Revere ... or Tom Brady.

The final from Yankee Stadium was 10-3 in favor of the good guys as perceived by Herrion and LeClair.

"Reverse the curse," Herrion declared on the Bonesville Power Hour on Wednesday night before the game.

For once no one could blame a Boston demise on "the curse of the Bambino (Babe Ruth)", who, according to legend, was so alienated by his trade to the Yankees after leading the Red Sox to the World Series title in 1918 that he put an enduring jinx on his former club.

"What a great win for Boston and all their fans," LeClair said via e-mail on Thursday. "We can put the past of the Bambino behind us now and go after another World Series championship.

"The fact that Boston came back from a 3-game deficit makes it even sweeter."

Boston's joy must be inversely proportional to the frustration experienced by the Yankees. LeClair expected a volatile reaction from Yankees owner George Steinbrenner.

"I bet some heads will be rolling in the boss's office this morning," LeClair said. "Boy, do I feel for their general manager, Brian Cashman. I would love to be a fly on that wall!"

For once, the Red Sox got some crucial breaks against their longtime nemesis.

"The series itself came down to a bad bounce ground rule double that took a run away from New York and very well could have cost them a sweep to a bullpen that was so dependable all year, blowing back to back saves, which truly defined the series," LeClair stated.

"The difference was Boston's bullpen and ability to deliver in the clutch, or should I say the ability of David Ortiz to produce in the clutch. It was obvious over the last four games the Yankees were tight and played trying not to lose. I will have to say, clearly the better team won, despite the offseason fiasco with Alex Rodriguez and Nomar Garciapara. Isn't it justice they both get to watch the series like you and I on TV? Ha Ha!"

LeClair said Boston manager Terry Francona proved his critics wrong with the Red Sox rally.

"Well, everyone wanted to fire Terry Francona by August, but who would of ever thought we would be saying today, 'He outcoached Joe Torre?' Even I was not a big fan of his, but he sure did a great job of managing down the stretch."

Herrion has been following the Red Sox despite long games and even some extra innings.

"It's a great day to be a Red Sox fan," said Herrion on Thursday. "I'm exhausted. I'm tired. These extra inning games and staying up late for four-hour games — I'm a little tired but I'll take it."

Herrion said LeClair, who is limited by the effects of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, reacted when Johnny Damon was out at the plate early in Game Seven.

"He was writing on his screen and communicating the way he does," Herrion said. "I think we were all kind of shocked he sent him. I think they should have held him up at third.

"He (LeClair) is truly knowledgeable. We were talking about free agents and 'Would Boston be able to keep this team together?' and he knew everything about everybody."

The seventh game soon produced more desirable results for Red Sox fans to focus on, a 2-run Ortiz homer in the first for a 2-0 lead and a grand slam by Damon in the top of the second that made it 6-0, Red Sox.

"After that it was just a matter of getting the outs," Herrion said. "Terry Francona hit the nail on the head when he said pitching turned the series around. The Yankees hit the first three games. Then Boston's pitching took over. Curt Schilling was inspirational in Game Six, no question. That's what they brought him in for — big games like the other night."

The Red Sox will now meet the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series, a rematch of the 1967 classic in which the Cards won in seven games.

"I think Boston will be able to maintain some momentum, no question," Herrion said. "I've just got a real good feeling about this."

LeClair is apparently confident as well.

"Bring 'em on," he said.

The Patrick Pinkney situation

The crucial factor in the application for medical hardship status for freshman quarterback Patrick Pinkney, who played with a good degree of effectiveness in a 19-7 junior varsity win over Hargrave Military last week, apparently will be medical documentation that Pinkney re-aggravated a high school shoulder injury since arriving at ECU.

Athletic director Terry Holland said the issue was checked out with the conference office before the junior varsity game.

"It certainly has to be approved by the NCAA," Holland said. "But he's got an injury that needed surgery. He will not play in the second half of the season and he's played less than 20 percent of the games (NCAA criteria for medical hardship).

"I'm not a doctor. It was a medical decision and it's all been documented. He did need surgery. I guess there could be a question about him playing in the junior varsity game, but that's what the conference office told us."

A spokesman for Conference USA compliance official Charlotte Hunt said she could not comment on the situation because of federal privacy regulations.

ECU compliance official Rosie Thompson said, "I just know what NCAA bylaws say as far as criteria in the NCAA manual as far as when injuries occur and the documentation. The football people asked me about the criteria.

"After the season, you apply for the medical waiver with the documentation. I don't make that decision. That's done when the appropriate documentation is sent. We do the injury hardships at the end of the season."

ECU coach John Thompson has indicated that the football staff has addressed the issue thoroughly and that Patrick Pinkney will have four years of eligibility remaining.

Back to Hattiesburg

Coach Thompson spent a significant and successful portion of his personal and professional life at Southern Miss, where he was defensive coordinator for the Golden Eagles from 1992 to 1998. Thompson also was assistant head coach from 1993 to 1998. Thompson met his wife, Charleen, in Hattiesburg. His two boys were born there.

Both Thompson and former boss Jeff Bower said Thompson's links to USM's past should have little bearing on the 7 p.m. matchup, which will be the Golden Eagles' homecoming.

"This is a business trip," said the ECU coach. "We're going there to try and win a football game."

Bower didn't think Thompson's return was strange.

"No, not really," he said. "The players are the ones who play the game."

Thompson and Bower have stayed in contact. Both coaches have some significant personnel losses to deal with. Southern Miss will likely be without starting quarterback Dustin Almond. His back-up, Damion Carter, is just 7 for 23 for 24 yards in USM's 4-1 start with one interception and one touchdown.

The Pirates have lost tight end Sean Harmon to a season-ending knee injury and running back Marvin Townes is doubtful. Defensive lineman Chris Sellers likely will be out.

The Golden Eagles outrushed Alabama last week in the first half but Carter was ineffective passing in the second half when the Crimson Tide brought their safeties up against the run. Bower expects to see ECU put a lot of players in the box.

Two turnovers deep in USM's territory led to short TD drives last week for host Alabama and proved big factors in a 27-3 loss for Bower's club.

USM will be intent on bouncing back against an ECU team that should be playing with more confidence after rallying to top Tulane for its first win of the season on Oct. 9.

"They'll be well prepared with the extra week," Bower said.

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02/23/2007 12:46:43 AM
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