June 16 2022. The first night of this year's CWS tournament. And what a night it was! The game to talk about that night : Auburn Tigers vs Ole Miss Rebels. This would be the first trip to the CWS for Ole Miss since 2014. Before that was in the 70's! And they definitely were not going to take the opportunity for granted. Taking a clean win over the Tigers 5 - 1.
Ole Miss went on to win over Arkansas the day after loosing to them! And from that day for the rest of the tournament did not take another loss!
I want to jump ahead to final night of the tournament and talk about something a little different. Yes this is a review of our beautiful Downtown attraction Charles Schwab Field. But also the experience of this year's CWS (from my perspective of course).
I was lucky enough this year to be working at 2 of the major hotel chains in the vacinity of the stadium, as well as one bar. So needless to say I spent most of the 10 day tournament amongst the thousands of fans that came from miles away like every other year, to be a part of the house excitement that is the College World Series! There were literally people everywhere! Hotels booked in advance and sold out the entire time. The few days prior up to the last weekend, Epply Airfield reported 18 flights packed with people flying in from Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Florida, the list goes on. But of all the fans , and the families of players one team had the support and love of what seemed like an entire state! Never have I witnessed so many people that together represented 3 generations. Son, Dad, Granddad in families all traveling to Omaha to support thier beloved Rebels. And this was common! Hundreds of not thousands of families with 1st 2nd and 3rd generations represented. A few even 4th generation! The people of Mississippi, fans, alumni, and long time supporters of the Ole Miss Rebels came out to Omaha in massive numbers! One hotel reported some 5500 Ole Miss fans in booked. Another reported close to 3000 people in town to cheer on Ole Miss in their hotel! The sea of people was breath taking!
The night that would end up being the last night of games, when Ole Miss would savagely slaughter the Oklahoma Sooners 4 runs to 2- the turn out was more than evident! The masses of people all shouting the Ole Miss chant "Hotty Toddy" and loving on their team would have staggered you! Never in all my years have I been amongst so many genuinely kind hearted loving people all at one time. People that I may have met earlier in the week, people I have never seen before a day in life running up to me with smiles, greeting with hugs as if we were old friends. The term "Southern Hospitality" has never rang so true to me than rubbing elbows with so many Southern US natives for this 10 days. I would not trade this experience for anything, and I am overly grateful that I was able to be there.
In the end, after so many have waited for so many long years, the Ole Miss Rebels take home the very first College World Series Championship, and did so with such grace, being the only undefeated team until the finals.
I only wish I had been able to get more pictures, but I was working (most of the time) So only able to get a few. I will add them later. In closing, to all my new friends from Ole Miss and those I met from all over the country. May you all be blessed beyond your dreams. Hotty Toddy! read more