Pedro Returns

Vanderbilt's All-American third baseman Pedro Alvarez made his first appearance since the team's Feb. 22 season opener against Oregon State. Alvarez broke a bone in his hand during his first at-bat of the season, but finished the game. He missed the team's next 23 games before returning last night against Southeast Missouri. Pedro went 1-4, with a double and two runs scored. Unfortunately, Vanderbilt gave up 4 runs in the top of the 8th, allowing the visiting Redhawks to spoil Pedro's return, 12-8.

Obviously, it's fantastic to have Pedro back on the field, especially for his offensive production, but I think it was important for this team to find out how to win games without him. Just as I feel the basketball team was too content letting Shan try and win every game for them, you got the feeling from the pre-season talk that this team's chances were sitting squarely on the Alvarez's shoulders. While the 'Dores did drop the series at Alabama, ending their series winning streak that had gone back to the 2005-2006 season, they have for the most part played solid baseball. As always, the search for starting pitching other than the Friday night starter Mike Minor continues. I've certainly never claimed to be a baseball expert, but this team will go as far as their pitching will take them. As solid as we look offensively, we won't be able to simply outscore teams every night. The team will make the short trip to Murfreesboro to take on MTSU today at 6 PM CT, and then travel to Oxford for a weekend series with Ole Miss.

In football news, Coach Bobby Johnson named the Captains for the 2008 season. Reshard Langford, a three-year starter at safety, will be joined by redshirt Junior offensive lineman Bradley Vierling and Senior wide receiver George Smith. Coach Johnson seemed very enthusiastic about his three new captains, who were elected by the team.

"I couldn't be more pleased with the players' decision," Johnson said. "We're talking about three players that are excellent leaders for our team, great representatives for the university, and key guys to our eventual success as a football team. Since the 2007 season ended, Reshard, Bradley and George have demonstrated the traits you want to see in your captains."

And finally, with the departure of Keegan Bell, Coach Kevin Stallings is left with only one point guard on the roster. Now, I have a lot of faith in this man, and I really don't think he would let Keegan go as easily as it sounds like he did if he wasn't fairly sure we were brining in someone just as good if not better next year. Yes folks, I'm talking about Brad Tinsley. I think K-Stall must really feel confident Tinsley is going to make his decision soon, and he must be pretty sure the kid will be on West End next year. Tinsley would be joining fellow Rival's 4-star recruits Lance Goulbourne a shooting forward from Princeton, NJ and Steve Tchiengang, a power forward from Montverde, FL.

This whole Keegan Bell thing is probably getting blown way out of proportion. In my humble opinion, I think Keegan's dad wasn't happy with his playing time, and accepted the reality that Keegan would never start over Jermaine (why would he, Dolla Beal led the SEC in assist to turnover ratio this past season). Vanderbilt's system is not designed for shot happy point guards like Keegan, and I hope he finds success with another team, as long as they don't play Vandy.


It's a beautiful day in Nashville,

Go 'Dores!