- The Florida Gators hit five home runs in one inning, scoring 22 runs against Miami Saturday in the NCAA Regional.
- Jon Sumrall is regarded as the right coach for the football team, but it may take a year before significant progress occurs.
- Four No. 1 seeds, including UCLA, lost to No. 4 seeds in college baseball's biggest upset day, mostly watched via ESPN+ streaming service.
Editor’s note: UF will face Troy on Monday (time TBD) in the Gainesville Regional final for a spot in the Super Regionals.
1. This baseball season has been crazy, and Sunday was just another example. In the Gainesville Regional, the Gators — I call them Team Weird — took weird to a new level. Seven home runs in an inning Saturday against Miami? Then their first-round pitcher getting shellacked the next day? Kevin O’Sullivan is now 46-19 against the Hurrican’ts, who were so decimated they skipped town before Florida could beat them again. Unfortunately, they didn’t take the Troy Trojans with them.
2. As I travel around this great land of ours (who am I, Woody Guthrie?), I am often asked about my opinion of Jon Sumrall. It’s a stock answer, but it is what I believe. They finally got the right guy. But it may take a year. And we know good things happen in Year 2.
3. FOMO game of the week
This is neither an NBA nor a hockey town, but when you get to the Finals it’s a different story. Knicks at Spurs starts Wednesday night and Vegas at Carolina open the Stanley Cup Final Tuesday. They are alternating on ABC.
4. Four questions with former UF All-American and ‘84 Reasons’ podcast host Ben Troupe
- Were you always hurdling defenders to avoid getting hit on the knees?
Troupe: No, I wasn’t. It was a natural reaction thing to me, plus they duck their heads and probably close they eyes. All I did was make sure they opened their eyes to nothing but green grass and thanked God it worked. - What was your favorite memory as a Gator?
Troupe: My favorite memory as a Gator was watching Guss Scott get a pick-6 against DJ Shockley at night in Jacksonville, his hometown. Beautiful. Also watching David Carpenter, aka DC, catch a TD against South Carolina in the Swamp. Obviously never losing to them puppies from Athens. - Is it strange or exhilarating to be part of the media now?
Troupe: It is very strange Pat, but honestly I couldn’t see myself doing anything else because I get to be me. I also get to listen to and interview others, and in a way I get to tell my story and I get to listen to theirs. To know that this environment exists and I can thrive in it is humbling. - What was your reaction when Steve Spurrier left after the 2001 season?
Troupe: When Coach Spurrier left, myself and Kenny Parker were driving up 75 dumbfounded. He had just given us the Coach Spurrier in his Spurrier voice, “See y’all in the Spring.” I thought my phone was roaming when I saw the news, then I thought, “Coach Spurrier said I’m out.” But then again, $25 million? I would have left too, but I would be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed. Hey, I’m on his last SEC championship team in 2000 and he calls me Bennie to this day. Mama, I made it.
5. Five celebrity grads from Gainesville High
This came out as I was making a toast at the grad party at Nopal Saturday:
- Tom Petty and most of the Heartbreakers.
- Stephen Stills, although he graduated from a high school in Costa Rica.
- Most of Sister Hazel.
- One-third of the Eagles.
- Adriana Koralewski, the guest of honor.
6. This will happen this week
The Gainesville Quarterback Club will be wowed by Laura Rutledge at its summer meeting Tuesday. I am so proud to be her friend. She might be the best person I know, other than family.
7. Hot take of the week
Friday might have been the greatest day in college baseball history. Unfortunately, you had to subscribe to ESPN+ to watch most of it. Four No. 1 seeds lost their games to No. 4 seeds, and that included the No. 1 overall seed, UCLA. It was March Madness times 10, but we didn’t have the luxury of having TNT, TruTV and the rest to see the games (instead, the SEC Network showed a replay of the SEC rowing championship). The bad news is that this is the wave of the future, with even the NFL streaming more games than ever. Whatever happened to turning your TV on and watching a game without passwords, a circle that never seems to stop rotating and the feed going out at every commercial break? In my day …
8. Tweet of the week
From Nick de la Torre of Florida Victorious: “The Gators 7 homers traveled 2,729 feet Saturday night. Stacked together that gets you to the bat houses viewing area.”
9. Remote drop of the week
I’m not sure if there is a movie my wife and I quote more than “Arthur.” Especially, “Do you think he wants some cheese?” And, “I’ll alert the media.” It holds up even though it came out in 1981. Do not under any circumstances watch the sequel or the remake.