Polk is off his rocker

This past weekend, John Cohen was named the new head baseball coach at Mississippi State University by newly appointed Director of Athletics Greg Byrne. Cohen, former head skipper at Kentucky and Northwestern State (La.), helped lead the MSU Bulldogs to the 1990 College World Series as the Bulldog left fielder. The Tuscaloosa, AL. native compiled an overall record of 321-197-1 as head coach while at both schools.

You would think, a member of the MSU family being given the reigns to a historically successful program would call for Bulldog supporters to bask in the glory of the new hire. While the supporters my indeed be basking, former head coach Ron Polk is blasting. From the administration to the media, Polk is on a rampage. To be honest, it’s quite a shame.

Taking the high road is not an option for the veteran. High atop Foley Field this past Saturday, the site of the Super Regional hosted by the Georgia Bulldogs, Polk uttered the phrases heard around the southeast. “A shot to the stomach, Mr. Byrne knows little about baseball at MSU and remove my name from the stadium as long as he (Byrne) is the AD,” are but a few of the comments. Mind you, Cohen lettered three seasons in Starkville and called the former coach, “a father figure” and continues to echo the sentiments.

I cannot imagine patriarch’s of the coaching world ie: Skip Bertman of LSU or Vince Dooley of Georgia, spewing this type of venom. If Polk felt the MSU fan base would encompass his opinions, he is sorely mistaken. Most have stated high praise for the young Greg Byrne in his decision to hire Cohen. Unfortunately, much of the positive accomplishments by Polk will be overshadowed by the recent comments. An apology is warranted and expected to the parties involved. To borrow a phrase in Calhoun County vernacular, it “ain’t gonna happen.”

Lost in the shuffle is the coach in the middle of the controversy, Tommy Raffo. The Orange Park, FL native concluded his 19^th season in a Bulldog uniform as both a coach and a player. Raffo, a former 1^st baseman and teammate of Cohen, was at the center of Polk’s argument. Polk has stated numerous times how he felt Raffo deserved the head coaching nod. It was Saturday, he chose to begin the tirade. Raffo stayed quiet. Polk didn’t. Herein lies the problem. The rest is history.

All is not lost for Raffo. Not at all, actually. He is a quality coach and will certainly land on his feet, as I’m sure suitors are lined up for his services if he is not retained by Cohen.

While the red carpet was rolled out for Cohen, the only detractor was Ron Polk. The same man, whom I never dreamed, would possibly ostracize himself from a historic 29-year run as a man known by many as “Mississippi State Baseball.”

Many say in sports, expect the unexpected. In this case, I agree. Rather than sit back and watch a wonderful product that he helped create at Dudy Noble Field, Polk has elected to destroy it with one swipe. While his wish for Raffo to be selected as the new head coach is no longer a possibility, the removal of his namesake from the hallowed grounds of Dudy Noble Field at Polk-DeMent Stadium is a wish that very well could come true.