Ron Polk has been coming to Omaha for 5 decades. He has brought teams in 4 of those decades. Of course, this is his first visit in the new millennium. This is a team that not many expected to be in Omaha this year. SEC coaches picked them to finish dead last in the SEC West this past season, and did not expect to see the Dogs at Hoover, much less this deep in the post season. After all, this is a team that was without 2 pitchers projected to be rotation guys, and a myriad of questions swirling around the club. But nonetheless, we are here readying for a Friday match up with North Carolina in the College World Series. Let's take a look at the club.

First Base - Brian LaNinfa
Spent most of the season as the DH. Finished strong in '06 hitting several HR's down the stretch to help the Dogs win some important games. Has been a steady offense presence this year. Provides solid senior leadership to the young pups on the team.

Second base - Brandon Turner
Turner has played most of the year at SS for the dogs. Then a hammy injury at Ole Miss in April sidelined him, and the team went into a hitting funk. When he came back to the lineup, the outfield ranks were depleted by injuries, so Jeffrey Rea moved to the outfield and Turner moved to his natural position. This guy reminds me of George Brett at the plate, getting his hacks at the ball, and like Brett, putting in in play most of the time. His 2 run shot at Tallahassee in the championship game answered an early FSU lead, and set the tone.

Third Base - Russ Sneed
Redshirt freshman started the season at SS, then went to the bench as the team made some defensive moves. He started 1 more game at Tennessee at SS, then sat until the final regular season game. He has started at 3rd since then, and has added a solid glove and a bat with some pop. Got his first career homer in the Saturday game against FSU.

Shortstop - Jet Butler
Butler earned his wings the day Brandon Turner pulled his hammy at Ole Miss. The switch hitter has added speed to the lineup, and is playing a solid, rangy short. A threat to bunt, and then to steal when he is on base, he has filled in for Brandon Turner most admirably.

Catcher - Edward Easley
What can you say about a Johnny Bench finalist. Tough defender with a good arm. Hits for power and average. Calls a good game. Handles pitchers well. Has started every game, and played the majority of the innings behind the plate this year. Easley was drafted in the sandwich round between the 1st and 2nd rounds in last week's MLB draft.

DH - Connor Power/Wynn Diggs
True freshman Connor power start the year at 3B and has made the move to RH DH in the postseason. Second on the team in HR's this year, he is also a fan favorite, as shown by his very own fan club, "Connor's Cuties" A hardnosed rookie who loves to play ball.

Senior Wynn Diggs is the LH DH. Has pop and puts the bat on the ball. Works pitchers to get the pitch he wants. Made his first start of the year at FSU. Along with a good bat, he provides strong bench leadership.

Of course, the infield still has Mitch Moreland, Jeffrey Rea, and Connor Powers if someone should get hurt. They all started most of the season on the infield, but have been part of the Polk magic in the post season. Wynn Diggs is another senior who provides a more than capable backup to Easley, as well as providing DH options from the left side of the plate. Ryan Duffy is a freshman who can DH, play first or catch.

The outfield is where Polk has worked magic.

Leftfield - Joseph McCaskill
Here is a guy who was a walk-on who earned his ride. Split time last year between catcher and DH. Was voted All Tournament Catcher at the Clemson Regional in '06. This year was to again split time between DH and leftfield. Instead, he grabbed the position by the throat, and never let go. Solid defender who does his homework on hitters and is steady if not flashy. At the plate, his bat has been active all year moving up and down the lineup depending on matchups. Another senior who helps lead the team.

Centerfield - Jeffrey Rea
MSU's all time hit leader. Played 2nd base all of his career. Opened in CF in the 07 season opener, then returned to 2B. Made the shift to the outfield for the SEC Tournament, and has played an exceptional CF in the postseason. At the plate, he is like the energizer bunny. He just keeps going and going and going. A tough out for LH and RH pitchers alike, he is a catalyst on the Bulldog offense.

Rightfield - Mitch Moreland
The true JR is another player who is playing wherever he is needed. Has played LF, RF, 1B, DH, and is the LH closer. Made the shift to the outfield in Regionals due to injuries to the outfield ranks. Can hit for power and average, plays solid defensively wherever he lands, and came in to close the championship games at both FSU and against Clemson.

The rest of the outfield is beginning to get healthy. Jeff Flagg, Nick Hardy, Mark Goforth, and Andy Rice have all made starts in the outfield this year, and are more than capable replacements if needed. Flagg and Rice have homerun power, while Hardy and Goforth are exceptional fielders and have dangerous speed on the base paths.

The pitching staff is another area where Polk along with Pitching Coach Russ McNickle have worked their magic. Losing two potential rotation guys to injury, the staff has basically worked the season with only 9 pitchers. Chad Crosswhite opened as the closer and has ended up as a rotation starter. Beat Arkansas, Tennessee, and LSU in his first 3 starts. Throwback to the old days of pitchers. Not afraid to pitch inside. Not to be overlooked are the efforts of Justin Pigott and senior Co-Captain Josh Johnson. Both have settled into the roles in the rotation and give the Dogs a shot in every game. Pigott was a short reliever until the LSU series in '06. Then he took on the Sunday slot and pitched CG wins in his first 3 starts. His record does not represent what he takes to the mound each start. Josh Johnson is just a veteran pitcher who goes to the mound and gives you a chance to win. Knows how to pitch. The 4 slot pitcher is rookie Tyler Whitney. The midweek started has gotten better with each start, and has the confidence of the players and the coaches.

Middle relief is the land of the giant. Big John Lalor has turned it up in the postseason. At 6-7, he is an imposing figure on the mound. Won't overpower you, but has some pop. Greg Houston (pronounced HOWston) is a true freshman who can go long relief as needed. Jesse Carver provides reilef from the left side.

The setup man is Ricky Bowen. The hard throwing RH is a touch cookie when coming in after Piggot and Johnson. He has a good fastball, but just when folks think they have him timed, in comes RH closer Aaron Weatherford. Weatherford began the season as the number 1 starter. After some arm problems, he took over the closer role vacated by Chad Crosswhite, and the rest is history. Big fastball in the mid to upper 90's that looks even faster after he drop a low 80's curveball on the batter. He is complemented on the left side by Mitch Moreland. Moreland is a hard thrower in the mold of Goose Gossage. If State has the lead and these guys come in, you could be in trouble.

Ron Polk and his staff of Tommy Raffo, Russ McNickle, Wade Hedges, Greg Drye, and Brett Cleveland have kept this team active all year. Look for them to have their homework done, and a game plan that will have the Dogs in the thick of the game.

All in all, this is not your Mississippi State team of the 80's. There is no group of superstars on the team like Clark and Palmiero and Brantley and Thigpen. But there is a group of players that believe in themselves and their coaches and their ability to play baseball. And they have fun. And that is what makes them a dangerous team in Omaha.