Jan. 30, 2009

Nine Innings with Pittsburgh's Joe Jordano

Nine Innings with Arizona's Andy Lopez

Nine Innings with Mike Wilson

By Phil Stanton

CollegeBaseballInsider.com Co-Founder

This week, we are going to have head coaches from Arizona and the Pittsburgh area give us their thoughts on Sunday's Super Bowl between the Cardinals and the Steelers.

Today we continue with Mike Wilson, who is in his 16th season as head coach at Duquesne University. He was an assistant at Pitt, LSU and Mt. Lebanon High prior to joining the Dukes. Several Duquesne players have advanced to professional baseball in recent years, including current Los Angeles Dodger Joe Beimel, the Dukes’ first player in the majors since 1970.

Wilson gives his perspective on the AFC Champions, the Pittsburgh Steelers.

First Inning – What was the defining play of the season for the Steelers?

Troy Polamalu's interception against the Ravens

Second Inning – Which player from the Steelers would you most like to have on your baseball team, and what position would he play?

Troy Polamalu, Center Field

Third Inning – Who on your team would make the best Steeler, and what position would he play?

Mark Tracy, son of Jim Tracy. He has football mentality. (Tracy is a 6’5, 225-lb. junior catcher/first baseman from Claremont, Calif.)

Fourth Inning – What do you admire about Mike Tomlin?

Everything   Always has his team prepared.  Gets his team to buy into his system and has the leadership from his players to make sure it gets carried out.

Fifth Inning – Which previous Super Bowl did you enjoy the most?

Superbowl IX  The First win one for the Steelers

Sixth Inning – Does the success of the Steelers help all sports in the city of Pittsburgh?

Yes. Athletes in Pittsburgh are inspired and motivated to accomplish what the Steelers have done

Seventh Inning – Who is the biggest Steelers fan on the team/staff?

Anthony Manley (a senior infielder from Greensburg, Pa.)

Eighth Inning – Why will the Steelers win?

They have the talent and much more experience with Super Bowls. I would like to extend a friendly wager to fellow Coach Pat Murphy (Arizona State), assuming he is an Arizona fan, that if the Steelers win he has to wear a Steelers baseball hat the first day the ABCA convention next year. If the Steelers lose then I will wear an Arizona hat.

Ninth Inning – What will the final score will be?

Pittsburgh 24-10 

(photo courtesy of Duquesne Media Relations Office)