June 11 , 2007

This isn't a Titanic mismatch

By Robyn Norwood

One of the charming things about college baseball is the little guys sometimes beat the big boys, the way UC Irvine knocked off Texas in Texas.

Now UCLA must go to Cal State Fullerton for a best-of-three NCAA super regional that begins today.

A quick compare-and-contrast:

Most famous thoroughfare — UCLA, Westwood; Fullerton, Nutwood.

Nobel laureates on faculty — UCLA 5; Fullerton 0.

NCAA Division I championships — UCLA 100 (none in baseball); Fullerton 5 (four in baseball).

Most-famous baseball alum — UCLA, Jackie Robinson; Fullerton, Kevin Costner (though the Titans alum played baseball only on the silver screen).

Coaching sage — UCLA, John Wooden; Fullerton, former (and now Texas) baseball coach Augie Garrido.

Current major leaguers — UCLA 8, including Chase Utley and Garrett Atkins; Fullerton 11, including Chad Cordero and Mark Kotsay.

All-time major leaguers — UCLA 55; Fullerton 44.

Men's basketball series — UCLA leads, 9-0.

Baseball series — Fullerton leads, 48-22-2.

College World Series appearances — Fullerton 14; UCLA 2.

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Trivia time

What former UCLA baseball second baseman revived UC Irvine's defunct baseball program in 2002?

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One wild longshot

If you're looking for a horse for today's Belmont Stakes and don't want to bet the girl, bet the gelding.

Imawildandcrazyguy started out as a colt named Cupcake Melee, but the dappled gray had a wild streak.