Wally

Today is the third aniversary of Wally Pontiff's death. Most people know Wally from LSU and many New Orleans natives remember him from the playgrounds and Jesuit high school. Wally was a apart of the 2000 LSU tigers baseball team that won the College World Series. He was a freshman and expected the same result every year. But in 2001, LSU lost to it's bitter rival Tulane in New Orleans super regional. In 2002, Rice took out LSU in super regional, but this time things were different. The team was young and Rice ended up winning the College World Series. Wally being the only remaining memeber from 2000 championship team knew he was the leader now but the pros came calling. On deciding day after being drafted by A's and a chance the play in the pros (his dream), Wally turned it down and dedicated himself to the team and bringing back LSU to the College World Series. The team was still young and no real leader except Wally. A few weeks later as LSU fans dreamed of a great season and possibly a National Championship, the news came that Wally Pontiff died in his sleep. One of the sadiest days in LSU history, and no one thought of the team but only of the parents and the family. People talked for days about how the know Wally and remembered playes they saw him make. Nobody wanted to believe he was gone and nobody wanted to forget it either. That season was lead by a senior but not in person but by spirit. The team struggled with no go to guy in the lineup and bullpen struggling after Lane the friday night starter was declaired out for the season. On some friday and saturday nights the ball did treaky things in the ballpark. As the season came to a close LSU was set to host not just regional but super regional. The first since 2000 and everyone was hoping for the impossible. Their record was good but struggled throughout the season and won a lot of close games. As the tigers rolled through regionals, they got set up against Baylor for super regional at Alex Box. Everyone knew it was a special season and the team for every game paid tribute to Wally by touching his number in center field. His was their leader and as the weekend game to a close their was no doubt he lead them the CWS. That weekend the baseball did funny things such as carry out when it looked like an easy out in the outfield. Yet Baylors couldn't find the fence. Many of the players felt like he was right there helping them out. Many on the team said they never seen the baseball carry out of the park as the did that weekend. Wally did lead them back to CWS and the team with little talent, and no leader, and a beat up bullpen become one of the top eight teams in the country. Everyone knew it couldn't have been done without Wally's help. Thanks Wally for coming back and thanks for memories. Number 31 always!