Au Revoir Rosenblatt

Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium, in Omaha, Nebraska, is a fixture to College Baseball much like Wrigley Field is to the Chicago Cubs & Fenway Park is to the Boston Red Sox. It is the epicenter of college baseball where teams like Arizona State, Cal State Fullerton, Texas would have trips penciled in to play in the collegiate showcase. Opening its doors in 1948 it has hosted the College World Series since 1950 crowning 60 National Champions while displaying a cast of thousands while etching memories that will stand for generations. Images like Minnesota’s Dave Winfield and the one hit gem that wasn’t enough to beat mighty Southern California in 1973. Or the famous phantom pick off play by Miami to knock off Wichita State in 1982. How about 1996 where a two-run bottom of the ninth home run by LSU’s Warren Morris that gave the Tigers the National Championship, number three of six. Will Clark (Mississippi State) hit here, Mike Mussina (Stanford) pitched here, and Jacob Ellsbury (Oregon State) rose to stardom here. It was not only a place for the best college baseball teams to showcase their talents but a gathering point for fans across the country to meet up and trade stories over some shaved ice & a hot dogs with the works. Whether the team you followed made the trip or not it was one place that you had to see and experience for yourself. Now the hallowed grounds on top of the hill next to the zoo will close its doors forever. One more champion to be crowned, a closing ceremony will ensue, and a flood of tears bidding farewell to a place where baseball and ice cream from the Zesto Hut go hand in hand. The girders and aluminum bleachers may be moving but your time Rosenblatt will be in the hearts of baseball fans forever.