Most Tennessee fans spent last week reveling in their baseball national championship.
Thousands showed up for Knoxville’s downtown parade honoring the team. And any apparel with “Tennessee baseball” on it was flying off the shelves almost as fast as a Christian Moore home run leaves the park.
My wife, Melinda, is a nurse at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital. She was working when the announcement came: new Vols gear available in the gift shop.
The updated merchandise was sold out in 30 minutes, but not before Melinda had purchased two shirts and an orange baseball cap. She rarely wears baseball caps, but that's not the point.
The cap already has been assigned to one of her closets that are so crammed with clothing there’s not room for a moth. She now has a Vols baseball cap, several Vols shirts, a Vols pullover, a Vols sweatshirt, a Vols jacket, orange and white shoes, and checkerboard overalls,
New attire was her way of celebrating the national championship. Some literary contributors were more selective in their fashion choices.
Blake writes: There was a picture on the front page of the News Sentinel during the College World Series. It’s Tennessee baseball, and it's recognizable...not black...not blue...not smoke gray...but Big Orange.
My response: Uniforms aren’t the only way to let you know Tennessee baseball is involved.
If you see a Tennessee state flag waving after a home run, it’s Tennessee baseball.
If you see someone in the UT dugout – or maybe even in the stands − wearing a fur coat, it’s Tennessee baseball.
If you see home runs clearing the fence often – and by a large margin – it’s probably Tennessee baseball.
And if you see an entire city celebrating a national championships, it’s Tennessee baseball.
Lynda writes: I’m in 100% agreement in doing away with those depressing gray uniforms. The first time I saw them on the field, I had no idea who was playing. Who would’ve ever thought it would be the Volunteers?
It’s hard to stray away from a traditional school color. It confuses some of the fans ( myself included) and is certainly not an impressive look. Stay with something classy and sharp. Not a uniform that’s reminiscent of playing in the mud before a game.
My response: I understand why some fans prefer the traditional colors. But the Vols look good in any color when they’re raising a championship trophy.
Mike writes: I hope Tennessee fans won't ever forget who the AD was who brought Tony Vitello to Knoxville. Vitello was hired by none other than John Currie.
My response: I don’t think most UT fans will forget that. Currie, who is now the AD at Wake Forest, was only at Tennessee a short time but was there long enough to have a long-lasting impact on Tennessee baseball.
Robert writes: Out there somewhere is a young pitcher that has a sad and hurting heart. He went off to Wake Forrest last year hoping that he could be part of a national champion.
Loyalty is rewarded for those who hang in there and continue to contribute. Sorry, Chase Burns. When you left TN, my heart ached. Now it is your turn. May the Lord help you to get through this heartache and have a brilliant future.
My response: Burns might not have won a national championship but soon will be celebrating. He could be the first pitcher taken in the MLB Draft.
As good as Burns is, who’s to say the Vols would have won the national championship with him in the rotation? Tennessee did just fine without him. Wake Forest was eliminated in a regional.
UT fans shouldn’t be bitter that Burns left the Vols after two seasons. UT probably wouldn’t have reached the 2023 College World Series if he hadn’t anchored their bullpen.
Vols Mark writes: The most incredible feeling ever. Legends were born Monday night.
My response: The Vols weren’t just national champions in baseball. They were a team for the ages.
They won a school-record 60 games. They hit 184 home runs, only four short of LSU’s total in 1997 when the Tigers were swinging those super-charged aluminum bats.
Steven writes: Over 40 years ago, Maryville College became my school of choice. Coming from Miami, Fla., it’s where I earned my degree, played football for the Scots and made lifelong memories and friends.
I gotta tell you Tennessee’s national championship made me smile. Happy for the school, the program. It conjured up great memories from a grateful student/athlete from many years gone by.
ADAMS:Tennessee baseball has right coach, great fans to sustain success
My response: You weren’t the only one smiling. Most of Knoxville was smiling after the Vols won their first national title in baseball.
This team was popular even before it won a championship. Now, it qualifies as one of the school's all-time most popular teams in any sport.
John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 orjohn.adams@knoxnews.com. Follow him at: twitter.com/johnadamskns.
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