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Abby's takes split; knocks off Forest Grove,
falls to St. Helens
Scott Anderson: One more reason why Open
Bible just doesn't get it
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Buck, Casey help OSU to title |
The star pitcher and the head coach were driving
forces in Oregon State's national championship team |
By B. Scott Anderson, Newberg
Graphic sports editor
E-mail Scott at banderson@eaglenewspapers.com
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CORVALLIS — Even though the Oregon State
University baseball team played eight games in 16 days in a city
nearly 1,700 miles away, two members of the team grew up locally.
Pitcher Dallas Buck and head coach Pat Casey started their baseball
careers in Newberg, playing hundreds of innings on local diamonds.
The two eventually grew up and found their way to Oregon State were
both integral parts in the Beavers winning the College World Series.
At a rally on the campus of Oregon State Tuesday to celebrate the
team’s national title, Casey, who graduated from Newberg High in the
same class as Buck’s mother, Tina, said it was odd how the pair
ended up together.
“It’s kind of weird that we ended up on the same team — him playing
and me coaching,” Casey said. “You figure that might not have ever
been done before and the odds would be pretty stacked against that
happening. But it’s kind of neat for me and really great for
everybody involved.”
Casey, named the national coach of the year Thursday by Collegiate
Baseball, is a 1977 Newberg High School graduate. After his career
as a Tiger, he went on to play at Portland State University from
1978-80 before he was drafted in the 10th round by the San Diego
Padres in 1980. Casey played seven professional seasons, reaching
the Triple A level with the Calgary Cannons in 1985-86 and with the
Portland Beavers in 1987.
While Casey earned his bachelor’s degree at George Fox University
in 1990, he was busy also coaching the Bruins. In seven seasons,
Casey guided the Bruins to a 117-113-1 overall record; 155-54-1
against NAIA schools before he was hired by Oregon State in 1994.
Buck took a different approach to Oregon State. He was the key
ingredient in Newberg reaching back-to-back state title games in
2002 and 2003. The Tigers won it all his senior year as Buck earned
the pitching victory in a lopsided win over Jesuit in the
championship game. Buck was later named the state’s player of the
year and was rated the No. 46 best prospect by Baseball America.
Buck was drafted in the 19th round by the Pittsburgh Pirates, but
opted to attend Oregon State where he went 12-1 last season and 13-3
this season.
At Tuesday’s ceremony, the emcee of the event, Beavers radio
announcer Mike Parker, interviewed Buck in front of the ecstatic
crowd. Buck, who came in for relief in the eighth inning of the
title game against North Carolina a night before and earned the win,
was asked about his performance, particularly after his start a few
nights earlier.
“Good enough to get a couple of strikeouts,” he slyly said as the
crowd laughed.
Parker went on to laud Buck, saying Buck’s decision to attend OSU
was a key in the team’s national title.
“I think that’s one of the most important decisions that’s happened
in this whole run to the national championship — his decision to
come here out of Newberg High,” he told the crowd.
After the rally concluded, Buck, a third-round pick by the Arizona
Diamondbacks, said he wasn’t nervous going into the title game in
such a tense situation.
“I don’t know,” he said. “It was just another game.”
Buck said he doesn’t feel any different now that his team won the
title game.
“I don’t think it’s really set in yet,” he said.
But the year wasn’t so rosy for Buck. His velocity went from low to
mid 90 mph to 87-89 mph. Elbow problems surfaced, but an MRI didn’t
reveal anything abnormal, Casey said.
“I think he feels like his velocity has gone down, but his movement
is better, his curveball his better, his changeup is better — all of
his pitches are better,” he said. “But he just feels like his
velocity is down and I don’t think he’s sure why. I think that
concerns him a little bit.”
Still, Buck was dominant throughout the regular season. He was the
starter for the Beavers when they opened the College World Series
and got shelled by Miami, 11-1. Buck gave up seven runs (all earned)
and seven hits in five innings. He also walked four batters and
struck out two. In the first game of the finals against North
Carolina, Buck pitched 6 1/3 innings and gave up nine hits, three
earned runs and struck out four.
“He’s just been an unbelievable competitor for us and it’s really
gratifying to see him win a national championship, two Pac-10
championships and go out on top,” Casey said.
Buck will now head to Arizona, where he said he is to report to the
Diamondbacks organization July 5. He expects to have another MRI on
his elbow to see if the Diamondbacks doctors can determine if there
is a problem. If all is fine, Buck would likely start out in one of
Arizona’s Class A teams.
Casey doesn’t expect him to stay there long, though.
“I just don’t think he’ll be there very long because he’s a very
talented guy,” he said. “And I think once he gets to what he feels
is normal, he’s going to take off.” |
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From July
1,
2006, Newberg Graphic
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