In all honesty, I wasn't expecting much enthusiasm at Saturday's season opener, but as I sat at J.I. Clements Field for the first time, I saw how much excitement there was and how much student support Eagle baseball has. And it is that kind of support that contributes to winning seasons. I baseball, compiling an outstanding record of 1,127 wins and 697 losses. The man knows the game. Anyone who knows him would tell you, all of the success that he has enjoyed over the years has not spoiled his great character.
Stallings has one of the greatest personalities in all of baseball.
And his philosophy of the game reflects the way his players perform on the field. When I asked him on opening day if the first game of the season is the most important, he told me it was. But then, to my surprise, he said that tomorrow's game would be the most important, and then the game after that. Stallings believes the most important game is the one they are playing that day, because that is the only one they can do anything about. And when it is all over, there is nothing more that can be done.