 "Photo: Paul Chouy/The Daily Texan")
A hot dog at UFCU Disch-Falk Field might cost $3.50, but goodwill was free and bountiful on Thursday as fans clad in burnt orange welcomed home the Texas baseball team from its trip to the College World Series in Omaha, Neb.
While the Longhorns were somber and toned-down after their 11-4 loss to LSU on Wednesday night, their return to Austin was a different story as the Texas players responded to their raucous ovation with bright smiles, plenty of autographs and pictures.
But, due to a scheduling mishap, the players actually arrived early and missed most of their fans. When the event’s scheduled start time of 1:30 p.m. rolled around, only head coach Augie Garrido was still at Disch-Falk, signing autographs and chatting with supporters.
Garrido got on the phone, made a quick call, and soon most of the team returned on a pair of white charter buses to the delight of those gathered. Cameras and fans quickly surrounded designated hitter Russell Moldenhauer when he stepped off the bus. When Chance Ruffin and Kevin Keyes showed their faces, the crowd exploded in applause.
“Up in Omaha, everyone was impressed as hell with this team,” said Jerry Sullivan, a longtime fan. “They represented us extremely well.”
Sullivan, 60, made his first trip to Omaha this year but got back in time to welcome the team home.
“People might be disappointed with a second-place finish at the national championship, but it’s just terrific,” he said. “If only football or basketball could do that.”
Those gathered to celebrate the team’s magical run this season ranged from longtime fans to high school players, from those following the game for more than 30 years to some who had been watching for just 10.
“Yeah, it was fun,” said Currie Larrimer, 10, who was there with her father and younger sister.
Larrimer even stayed up to watch the entire 25-inning marathon against Boston College with her dad at Disch-Falk on May 31.
“I was kind of tired, but all the crowd being really loud kept me awake,” she said.
The smallest fan in attendance received almost as much attention as the players. Dagwood, an 18-month-old dachshund, was there with his owner Lisa Reifsnider and her two daughters.
“He’s burnt orange, so he didn’t really have a choice about being a fan,” Reifsnider said.
Reifsnider, who graduated from the University in 1990, met her husband while part of the color guard at Disch-Falk. She was able to watch most of the regular season games or listen to the them on the radio this year, and said she followed the Longhorns through the entire CWS.
“It was just so much fun. We went, we competed, we did our best,” Reifsnider said as the players got back on the buses or into their cars.
As they left, Garrido stood reserved in the shadows of Disch-Falk, still there after all.
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