Gators vs. Buthune Cookman Friday

[Mr2Bits]

The Gators (39-20) will face fourth-seeded Bethune-Cookman (32-26) at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, May 29.

Anyone going?

 

[MahxFahn]

Brandon McArthur is Florida Gators baseball's survivor

The only people that spent more time at the operating the table than Brandon McArthur the past six years are the surgeons at Gainseville Shands Hospital.
Since McArthur came to Gainesville in 2003 amid much fanfare, he's had elbow and knee surgeries and even three brain surgeries. But six years later, he's the starting third baseman in an NCAA regional baseball tournament at McKethan Stadium.

McArthur's 6-foot-1, 200-pound body has been so ravaged that it won't let him become the Major League prospect he was supposed to be coming out of Seffner-Armwood High six years ago.
"It's been rough," he said. "But no regrets at all. I can look back and regret some things, but then I'll beat myself up over it."
McArthur, 24, describes his Florida career as a "rollercoaster," which may be the understatement of the year.
He was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the fifth round of the 2003 draft, but turned down the offer to play for the Gators.
His life changed before he saw his first pitch in a Florida uniform. In October of his freshman year, a stranger randomly punched him in the head as McArthur exited a Gainesville bar. (Former Florida student Jonathan Head pleaded guilty to felony battery in March 2004 and was sentenced to one year in jail and two years' probation).
McArthur was rushed to the hospital after his head cracked on the pavement and he underwent two brain surgeries within 24 hours (he had a third brain surgery in May 2004).
McArthur was in a drug-induced coma for five days, and his survival was not certain. He spent two weeks in intensive care, and the 10-inch long zipper scar running across his head today serves as a daily reminder of the attack.
McArthur missed the 2004 season, and had to re-learn basic motor functions - let alone how to hit a baseball - but came back to bat .268 in 64 games in 2005, helping the Gators reach the championship game of the College World Series.
But McArthur's woes weren't over. In 2007, he missed all but one game after tearing an elbow ligament and undergoing Tommy John Surgery. In 2008, he was batting .337 before he tore his ACL in April.
His Florida career was supposed to be over, but the NCAA granted McArthur a sixth and final year of eligibility for 2009, because of his elbow injury two years ago. He hit .321 as the Gators' fifth batter this season in 54 games.
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More HEAR......