Sea of orange welcomes home the Oregon State baseball team

Thousands of Oregon State University baseball fans - a sea of orange - packed Parker Plaza on campus to welcome home the Beavers on Monday and catch a glimpse of the national championship trophy.

“We’ve got the best baseball team in America right here in Corvallis, Oregon,” said coach Pat Casey, who guided the Beavers to back-to-back titles.

OSU defeated North Carolina on Sunday to clinch the College World Series in Omaha, Neb.

Could a three-peat be in the works?

“Next year is looking really good with the freshmen that we have this year, all the guys that are returning next year and the recruiting class that we’ve got,” said freshman pitcher Jorge Reyes.

He added that it was too early to predict another national championship, but that was the goal.

Reyes, voted the Most Outstanding Player at the College World Series after winning two games, wasn’t even a starter at the beginning of the year.

“I was in the bullpen and just hoping I’d get into a game every now and then,” he said.

It’s a crazy story, but so are the Beavers.

Cold-weather schools aren’t supposed to win the College World Series, and they certainly aren’t supposed to repeat with only two starting-position players returning, a losing Pac-10 record, and an unheralded freshman leading them on the mound.

But for the second year in a row, the Beavers have come home to a huge crowd, with a trophy shining in the sun.

As he signed autographs for orange-clad youngsters swarming him with Sharpie pens, centerfielder Chris Hopkins said he always expected the Beavers to repeat.

“It’s just amazing. I never would have guessed,” said fan Steve Stachurski of Corvallis, as he waited for the team to arrive back home. “This puts our baseball program in such an elite class now.”

“I’ve been here since 1947 watching the Beavers,” said Charlie Fischer, 85, of Corvallis. “I think this is the greatest thing that has ever happened to OSU in sports. And this is a rebuilding year.”

“It brings Oregon State into a lot of recognition throughout the country,” said Rudy Hermsen, 72, of Corvallis.

John Reese of Upland, Calif., agreed. The tight end on the OSU football team said that recognition could help recruiting for all sports.

“We’re a school that doesn’t get looked at enough,” the 19-year-old said. The baseball trophy could serve as motivation, as well. “We see them work hard, they win a championship. I feel if we work hard enough, we can win one, too,” Reese said.

Scott Sanders, head football coach at Crescent Valley, had his team at the celebration. His players are participating in a football camp at OSU.

“It just shows you how hard work and determination pays off,” he said.

At the event, junior catcher Mitch Canham confirmed he would turn pro and join the San Diego Padres organization and most likely play in Eugene this summer.

Fans chanted “one more year” for Canham and Darwin Barney, the junior shortstop whose slick play had ESPN announcers raving.

“I’m definitely going to think long and hard about it,” said Barney, who has been drafted by the Cubs.

Kyle Odegard can be contacted at kyle.odegard@lee.net or 758-9523.

On the net Check out a photo slide show of the Beaver’s triumphant return and more at www.gazettetimes.com/photo_galleries

Quotes

“One thing about baseball, if you’ve ever played it, if you’ve ever played it hard, you might as well have some fun.”

OSU coach Pat Casey

“Casey for president.”

An identified man in the crowd

“It was incredible. I threw the pitch and I saw Mitch run at me, and he’s kind of a big guy, so, I tried to stay on my feet, and then the whole team came out and I was down at the bottom.”

Pitcher Joe Patterson, who struck out the final batter

“It was awesome and it was really great. I’d like them to be the champion for a really long time.”

Collin Brill, 9, of Salem

“It hasn’t hit me yet. I felt like the other day, when we did the dog pile, I felt like I wanted to scream really loud. But I couldn’t get it out. I’m just really excited. When I get that ring on my finger is when I think it’s going to hit me.”

Jorge Reyes, OSU pitcher

“It’s nice to be here because last year this time, I was in Omaha trying to get out, and we missed all this part.”

Carmen Martin of Philomath

“There’s too much heart on this team and a lot of courage. … We do it for you guys. We do it for ourselves. We do it for the Northwest.”

Catcher Mitch Canham

“He catches all the stuff, and he goes back there to help them out.”

Quincy Johnson of Corvallis, explaining why Darwin Barney is his favorite player

MULTIMEDIA

To view a video and online slide show from Monday's ceremony at Parker Plaza, go to http://www.gazettetimes.com/photo_galleries/.

SPORTS FORUM

Sports forum: How do Oregon State's back-to-back baseball titles rank in Oregon sports history?

Have your say at http://www.gazettetimes.com/articles/2007/06/26/news/community/7aaa04_sportsforum.txt.

COLLEGE WORLD SERIES

For CWS stories and and a slide show, go to http://www.gazettetimes.com/sports/world_series/.