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Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Mr. Consistency
Eastern Oklahoma, OK
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By: Byron Beers
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Photo(s) By: Brett Rojo
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Associate Editor Byron Beers took a few moments to talk with Owasso baseball head coach Larry Turner. Turner guided the Rams to their 10th state title in school history, following a 5-2 victory over Moore in the 6A finals in May. It was Owasso’s fifth state championships in the last eight years under Turner.
Byron Beers: What made the 2008 season and state championship so special and how would you rank this year’s team up against some of the other great teams that you’ve coached at Owasso?
Larry Turner: This year’s team was no more or less special than past teams. Each year there are different players that play and contribute, and to them, THEIRS is the most special team. We derive a lot of satisfaction and pride in their elation when they see the many months of hard work pay off in a state championship.
Byron Beers: What does it mean to you to be selected as the Bob Hurley Coach of the Month?
Larry Turner: Being selected the Bob Hurley Coach of the Month is a great honor. There was an outstanding group of coaches for the selection to come from, and this honor is really a reflection of the success and accomplishments our entire club achieved this year.
Byron Beers: Another year, another state championship. Talk about the success of the baseball program at Owasso and how you have been able to maintain the consistency you have year after year.
Larry Turner: “Tradition Never Graduates”—that says it all. We established a winning legacy many years ago, and our kids have bought into the philosophy that we generally never have the best players, but we DO have the best team.
Byron Beers: How has high school baseball changed over the years since you’ve been coaching?
Larry Turner: Teams now are better coached and better prepared. More kids specialize in only one sport, and that includes baseball. Therefore, their skill level is probably more advanced now than it was 25 years ago with weight rooms, teaching aids, and off-season work-outs.
Byron Beers: What are your thoughts on Brian Flynn being drafter by the Boston Red Sox in the 18th round and how do you see him as a player on the collegiate or pro level?
Larry Turner: Brian has reached is first dream by being drafter. Regardless of who he is drafted by, it is a plus for it to be an organization that has won two of the last four World Series. He has traveled light years from where he was two years ago, as a player and as a young man. I see Brian having no trouble going to the next level in baseball once he enters the pro, whether that be now or later after he’s played some college ball. This is because of more advanced coaching and more practice time, as opposed to having to spend time studying in addition to playing baseball.
Byron Beers: What’s the No. 1 thing you want to get across to your players as a head coach both on and off the field?
Larry Turner: Character. We insist on our players maintaining a level of character that is above average. Our expectation is that our players show consistently good character on and off the field. Losing isn’t an excuse for being poor sports.
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