Nine Reasons To Watch The Huskies In The CWS
June 16, 2018 | Baseball
The Washington baseball team has made it to Omaha for its first College World Series in program history. Below are nine reasons why Husky fans everywhere need to tune in:
1. The Huskies are in Omaha.
Let this sink in. The Huskies are in Omaha to play in the Men's College World Series. Husky Nation has never been able to say this before. Not once. And it sounds pretty dang good rolling off the tongue. OMAHA. Just ask Peyton Manning.
2. The "Joog" chant.
Wait, what? What is joog?
Joog is good. Anything positive that happens on the field for the Huskies is joog. The Huskies have adopted and lived up to celebrating all moments that are joog. If a Husky reaches base via an error, it's joog. If a UW player hits a home run, it's really, really joog.
Anything joog deserves a celebration. And a chant. Look for the joog bat to be paraded through the dugout plenty in Omaha. Keep an eye out for it. You won't be disappointed.
What does "Joog" mean and why has it become a rallying cry for Husky Baseball?
— Washington Baseball (@UW_Baseball) June 15, 2018
Allow Joe DeMers, Willie MacIver and KJ Brady to explain.#DaWgStrong // #CWS pic.twitter.com/79dDY2sNrz
3. The Dawgs are loose.
If your Dawg at home gets loose, it's not necessarily a good thing. But when the Diamond Dawgs get loose, you'll likely enjoy watching the process. During warmups, no team has more fun than the Huskies. And the looseness carries over to the games. Whether it's the Joog bat (see above) or dancing in the dugout like they're at home in front of the mirror, Washington knows how to keep it fun. The ESPN cameras are going to love the joy in which the Huskies play the game of baseball. We're guessing the fans at the ballpark will love it, too.
4. Everybody loves the Cinderella team.
The Huskies have never been to Omaha. We've said that earlier. Heck, the Huskies had never been to a Super Regional until just over a week ago. Washington was the lowest RPI team to make the NCAA field as an at-large bid. They're the lowest-seeded team left in the bracket. Clearly, no one expected the Huskies to be in Omaha. Except the Diamond Dawgs. Time to jump on the bandwagon, America. We're friendly Dawgs, more than willing to embrace your newly found Husky spirit. And hopefully the slipper fits.
5. Joe Wainhouse is a BEAST.
On April 14, Joe Wainhouse had four home runs on the season and the Huskies were 17-17. Fast forward 25 games, a stretch that saw the Huskies go 18-7, and Wainhouse has added 15 more home runs for 19 on the season. When he steps to the plate, Husky fans stop what they are doing and pay attention like they're watching Sasquatch run through the forest. He has hit a home run in each of the last 10 weekend series and has five in six postseason games. Fans in Omaha will gawk at him like he's Babe Ruth this week. And Husky fans: he's wearing the Purple and Gold. Enjoy it.
6. Support the local guys.
The rest of the world thinks it only rains in Seattle. Of course, us that live in the Northwest all know that's not true (shhhhhh!). But, the weather can be tricky. And it breeds a certain type of ballplayer. You have to be TOUGH to play baseball in Seattle year round. And the Huskies' roster is full of 19 tough guys that are from the state (plus an Oregonian and two from British Columbia). We love our non-Northwest players too, but just like it's great to support local businesses, it's great to rally around the local guys and the local team.
7. Levi Jordan is the Isaiah Thomas of baseball.
Seattle loves them some Isaiah Thomas, as they should. The former Husky plays basketball with heart and a chip on his shoulder. He has been underestimated his whole life and has exceeded all expectations from outsiders. The Diamond Dawgs have an Isaiah Thomas of their own in Levi Jordan.
The senior stands 5-8, just like Thomas, and doesn't exactly scare the opposition when he walks up to bat. But, all that the four-year starter has done during his career is appear in the fifth most games in Husky history and tally the fourth most at bats by any Husky. He is second on the team in home runs and runs batted in. He was All-Pac-12 this year after being honorable mention as a sophomore and junior. He was picked in the 29th round of the MLB Draft by the Chicago Cubs. And he is a magician with the glove. Oh, and did we mention he has been a walk-on during his entire career? Baller.
8. Alex Hardy is armed and dangerous.
Joe DeMers may be the ace of the Huskies pitching staff, but Alex Hardy is the soul. The fifth-year senior is finally healthy after having to overcome two arm surgeries that almost forced him to retire. He struggled to find a definitive role for most of his career, but his perseverance has paid off in the form of a made-for-TV final year. Hardy leads the Pac-12 in earned run average and has appeared in a UW record 35 games this season. His play in 2018 earned him All-Pac-12 honors. The craziest thing about Hardy? He earned his undergraduate degree TWO YEARS AGO in Communications. Impressive.
9. UW Baseball is a brotherhood.
All teams will say they are close. But this Husky squad is REALLY close. They have overcome a slow start to the season, numerous injuries and even tragedy. They are brothers. They are family. They truly believe it. And this family is looking to spend more time with each other over the next couple of weeks. And you as a Husky fan, are welcome to join the family for their journey in Omaha.
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