Counting down the finish of Rosenblatt Stadium





By DAVID THOMAS
dthomas@star-telegram.com
TCU enters the College World Series -- which begins today in Omaha, Neb. -- as the only team in the eight-team field making its first trip to the CWS. Other than UCLA, which has been twice before, all of the other teams have played in Omaha at least five times previously. Here are 10 things to know about the history-packed College World Series:
1This is the final College World Series to be played at Rosenblatt Stadium, which has hosted the CWS since 1950. Next year's series will be played at TD Ameritrade Park in downtown Omaha. Rosenblatt Stadium will be torn down to allow for the expansion of Henry Doorly Zoo, which will preserve elements of the stadium for a planned "The Infield at the Zoo."
2Rosenblatt Stadium is named for Johnny Rosenblatt, a former semipro and pro baseball player who helped bring the College World Series to Omaha. He was elected the city's mayor in 1954, and his name was added to the stadium in 1964. Rosenblatt died in 1979.
3Before the tournament moved to Omaha, it was held for two years in Kalamazoo, Mich., (1947-48) and for one year in Wichita, Kan. (1949).
4Creighton University is the host school for the CWS, and the host stadium is the home of the Triple A Omaha Royals of the Pacific Coast League.
5Southern California has won the most College World Series championships with 12, including a record five in a row (1970-74). Texas holds the record for most CWS appearances (33) and games won (82).
6California schools have won 22 College World Series titles.
7Two no-hitters have been thrown in CWS history. Jim Ehrler of Texas threw the first in 1950 against Tufts.
Oklahoma State's Jim Wixson no-hit North Carolina in 1960.
8George H.W. Bush played first base for Yale in the first two College World Series. Yale finished second both years and has not returned to the CWS since.
9Texas Rangers reliever Darren O'Day appeared in the 2005 CWS for Florida. Among notable Rangers minor-leaguers to play in Omaha are outfielder Brandon Boggs (Georgia Tech) and catcher Taylor Teagarden (Texas).
10Seventy-three CWS games have been won in the last at-bat: 34 in extra innings, 39 in the bottom of the ninth.