The NOLA 100: #95 The shot heard around Uptown
A look back at Jake Rogers' home run in the 2016 Oxford Regional
Almost five years before the moment that was 97th on the list of the 100 moments, people, and things that shaped my first ten years in the Crescent City, current Detroit Tiger Jake Rogers hit one of the most clutch home runs in recent Tulane memory.
After winning the program’s first American Athletic Conference championship, the Green Wave was placed in the Oxford Regional with former conference rival Ole Miss, Utah, and Boston College.
In the first game, the Green Wave took one on the short end of the ledger, losing to Boston College 7-2, meaning that they needed to win their next game to avoid going two-and-out.
That Saturday afternoon, I was scheduled for work at the ice cream company, but because of weather, I ended up having the day off.
At the place I was renting on Washington Avenue, my landlord had one of those 80’s clock radios. Because I couldn’t pick up WRBH on my iPhone radio app, I decided to fidget with the radio and listen to the Tulane baseball game.
The thing about broadcasting is that you don’t script what you’re about to say, you let the moment dictate your voice. You don’t overdo your voice unless it’s warranted.
With the Rebels looking primed to advance in the regional and eliminate the Green Wave, Jake Rogers stepped up to the plate.
By the time Rogers was at the plate, I was half asleep.
“BREAKING BALL DRILLED TO DEEP LEFT WAY WAY BACK GET OUT OF HERE ITS GONE………ITS GONE…….ITS GONE”.
After almost falling asleep on a sunny Saturday afternoon, Todd Graffagnini’s call of Rogers’ home run woke me up.
The Green Wave would then eliminate Utah before bowing out to Boston College, going 2-2 in the process.
Over three weeks later, David Pierce would be hired as the new coach at Texas, where he’s taken the Longhorns to three College World Series.
Jake Rogers would then be drafted by the Houston Astros in the third round before being traded to the Tigers for Justin Verlander.
And Graff?
He’s now the radio voice of the New Orleans Pelicans.