Millennium for Moose

When Rutgers third baseman D.J. Anderson threw across his body to complete a 5-4 fielder's choice to end Saturday's RU-USF baseball game, Fred Hill became the 46th Division I head coach to win 1,000 games.

Before diving into the exciting yet awkward aspects of being a part of the moment, let me first say that having the game-ending call is something I'll never forget. "A Millennium for Moose" was my (slightly) preconceived call for the event that was more a hurdle for Rutgers (21-13, 10-2 in the BIG EAST) to clear than anything else.

Moose (Hill's nickname) is a New Jersey baseball legend. His entire 2010 roster is from the Garden State and his players all relate to his intensity.

It has been a tough few weeks for Hill. He has watched his son go through one of nastiest coaching divorces college basketball has seen recently. The fairy tale arrangement of a father-son duo leading programs at the same University is going to have a less than storybook ending.

But, for one day, everyone's attention was on the baseball diamond at Bainton Field for a good reason. The younger Hill, Bob Mulcahy and Tim Pernetti were all on hand to watch the amazing feat. While it wasn't exactly the most comfortable situation, everyone was finally "happy."

Thinking back to some of Hill's best teams, names such as Todd Frazier, Jason Bergmann, David DeJesus and Darren Fenster come to mind. RU was the class of Northeast baseball, while Atlantic 10, BIG EAST championships, NCAA appearances were the norm.

Whether or not the 75-year-old Hill has lost touch with the recruiting scene is irrelevant. He has coaches to deal with that and has earned the respect of a lineup lined with MLB talent. Hopefully, before Hill is gone, RU has a new facility to help him out.

With monstrous series coming up against Connecticut and Louisville, RU has an outside shot at the BIG EAST title. But, for the next few weeks, it'll be all about relishing the moment that Moose got No. 1,000.