Dear 2024 Tennessee baseball team,

Thank you. From the deepest depths of my heart, thank you. 

This team made me believe in magic again. From all the ups and downs, comebacks and run-rules alike, everyone knew this team was special.

I’d like to formally apologize for the behaviors of some of Vol Nation, but despite the foul mouths and quickly triggered Tennessee fans, everyone felt their pain and understood why they felt the way they did. We’ve been through every way to lose you can imagine in every damn sport.

This year’s Vols made me believe that anything is possible and this is only the beginning. Getting to experience this championship during the peak of social media and the internet has magnified its meaning in so many different ways. Sleep was an afterthought — endlessly scrolling Twitter (yes, I still call it that), Instagram, and Facebook seeing nothing but an elated fanbase and videos of the BaseVols expressing their raw emotions — It made me emotional myself.

Tony Vitello, you embody everything that we are as Tennessee fans. The fiery, passionate, confident attitude is everything we could ask for as a coach, and we will ride this wagon with you until the wheels fall off. You said you wanted to build a program like your dad, and with as much as you’ve talked about him during your tenure, it was an incredible moment watching the two of you embrace after the game. 

I will never forget the big moments this season that shine even brighter now with the end result. Dismantling Florida in Gainesville, taking 2-out-of-3 in Lexington, and sweeping LSU. Zander having absolute STONES every Sunday, Causey taking over the Friday night role after AJ’s injury, Cal throwing guys out at first, Christian’s Cycle, Dylan Dreiling’s 3 College World Series bombs and the walk off against Florida State, Beam making the Tar Heels look silly, Kavares tracking down everything within the galaxy, Ensley running through a wall, and we can’t forget the slide at home in Game 3. The bullpen can’t be thanked enough. So many holds, saves, big-time strikeouts — Kirby, Nate, Combs, Marcus, Dylan, Stamos, and Behnke — your importance will never be overlooked. 

While the Vols always find a way to make it interesting, I wouldn’t change a single thing about the way the tournaments shook out. The losses made the wins that much sweeter, and the whole world watched the National Title become clad in BIG ORANGE.

This year meant more to us, Vol Nation, than y’all will ever know. 

Thank you, and here’s to more to come. 

Cheers,

Volunteers everywhere