MORGANTOWN — This week, West Virginia’s baseball team finds itself at a crucial juncture under the leadership of first-year manager Steve Sabins. Reflecting on sports history, one might recall the legendary Sparky Anderson managing the Big Red Machine in 1970, a time when insightful conversations among sportswriters and managers could have significant implications.
Sabins’ season began spectacularly, with his team winning its first 14 games and topping the Big 12 standings. However, as the regular season draws to a close, the Mountaineers have struggled, losing three of their last four games and five of the last eight. The bullpen’s difficulties have become glaring, particularly during the recent series against Kansas State, where key relievers Reese Bassinger and Carson Estridge surrendered a staggering 13 runs in just 4.1 innings of play.
The question looms: has the team’s relatively weak schedule—ranked around 170—ultimately caught up with them? Is this a typical rough patch in a long season? Regardless of the answers, Sabins has shown resilience and resourcefulness in guiding his team, effectively managing injuries and strategically utilizing his pitchers.
As the season reaches its climax, all eyes will be on how Sabins navigates his players through this adversity. Turning the tides now and restoring their confidence will be critical not just for clinching the regular season title but also for the challenges ahead, including potential Regional and Super Regional playoffs that could lead to the ultimate goal—the World Series in Omaha.
The parallels drawn with veteran managers like Jim Leyland, who transitioned from winning divisional championships to claiming a World Series title, highlight the pressure Sabins faces. Fortunately, his leadership style suggests he has the tools to mend his team’s mindset and spark the same fire they exhibited earlier in the season.
In this pivotal moment, there remains a sense of hope that Sabins can guide the Mountaineers back on track as they seek to make history for their program. This journey, though daunting for a rookie manager, is still alive and achievable.