Gamecock Baseball National Championship Day July 1 2010

OH SAY CAN YOU SEE

We are the CHAMPIONS

WE are the Champions

Of course we had to go to the Colonial Life Center to welcome our gamecocks home. Little did we know that there would be 15,000 other fans there- it was so amazing to be one person that made up the thousands of screaming fans. We have been glued to our television at night watching the College World Series and all I can say is GO COCKS!!

It is a great day to be a gamecock fan!!

The baseball team was treated like rock stars- they were bused in with state troopers. All of the crowd were on our feet and as the players entered with trophy in hand they walked a lap around the arena to the tune of 2001---CHILLS!

The players were so funny because we were filming and photographing them and they were filming and photographing us- we were all united as our blood runneth Garnet and Black.

CWS: MVP Jackie Bradley Jr.

Did I mention that there was no parking to be found so we parked in a warehouse parking lot- walked, slid or fell down a hill across two RailRoad tracks and up another hill but it was all worth it

Did I mention we are the champions?!?

Coach Ray Tanner in picture above, bottom right

Flags and fans

and miniature Cocky- (Zach)

his dad is a friend of ours and a huge gamecock fan and MADE this costume for Zach-

and guess what he MADE one for himself too for Halloween one year

The team as they made their lap around the arena

We hail thee Carolina and sing thy high praise..

As much as I love baseball I love the story behind the series even more and I wanted to share with you in case you did not watch the gamecocks in Nebraska-

The Carolina team had befriended a little boy named Bayler Teal who was diagnosed with neuroblastoma - this boy loved USC and loved baseball. Bayler passed away on Thursday night of the college world series- and I like to think that he was our angel in the outfield. Given our own battle of cancer my heart aches for the Teal family and the loss of a beautiful child. I am comforted to know that Bayler is with Jesus and has only passed this life to live the one promised to the those who believe in Christ. The family set up a caring bridge site that you can visit with the entry name of BaylerTeal- please keep the Teal family in your prayers!!

We heart baseball and Bayler

xoxo