(06-03-2018 03:21 PM)justahooter Wrote:  Reading all of the discussions regarding he said, she said, it said, I don't like (insert how he/she/it identifies) is a little weak for a decision of this magnitude.

Let's get real. This is a business deal...you are hiring someone to promote a sport at Rice and achieve results, results to satisfy members of this board, results to satisfy the parents of the kids Rice and its Alumni have a direct financial investment in, and......don't miss this, to provide direction and leadership to an ever evolving group of talented young men during their 3-4 year stay at this elite University. And don't be naive, it's a business thing. Media time means $$.

So what are the choices? 1) A pitching coach at TCU 2). Reportedly a high school coach 3). A 15 season MLB Player that is an Alumni and may be, if not, the best player to ever come out of Rice University.

So what is there to talk about? 1). Berkman means instant credibility to a sliding baseball program 2). Recruiting?....instantaneous success in recruiting...but let me add something you all, as loyal fans need to address. The Administration needs to give Berkman an initial 5 year contract. Why? There are a lot of choices of programs out there and the parents of those players are more savvy than you give them credit for. If they sniff that he's on a short leash while little Johnny is at Rice they will take commit to a lesser institution for stability. 3). Instant Press.....the press will lose their minds over following the program. 4). Coaching staff. What assistant coach out there would not want to be an assistant to Berkman? 5). Baseball knowledge and game experience. Berkman's record speaks for itself.

Maybe you don't like his public comments...I had to look them up just to see how offensive they were....Looked up the counter to his comments by parties that expressed an interest in his comments.

Strikes me that his comments are/were no more offensive than comments from either side.

You are hiring a coach...to coach baseball... Contracts have terms, operate outside of those terms and you are gone.

Pretty easy choice, Berkman.

That's total B.S. How does Berkman provide the program "instant credibility"? A Saarloos or Riser hiring would be viewed much, much more positively within the college baseball community. Again, Lance is a shiny object with no proven experience. And you're crazy if you think he'll be a better recruiter than Saarloos. As others have already mentioned, the kids we are recruiting now only know Lance as a name in the history books; not someone they followed or hero worshipped growing up. I got news for you-- as someone who talks to the current crop of baseball parents, they want nothing to do with Berkman. In fact, a Berkman hire may see an exodus of some of our returning talent, especially among our pitching staff.

Bottom line, I think you're wrong on all 5 counts you layed out above.