Unwritten rules: Staying on the commode during 41-minute commotion

An unwritten Texas A&M rule is when the Aggies are rallying, “Don’t change anything.”

Don’t turn the channel.

Don’t change the volume.

Don’t get snacks.

And definitely — under any circumstances — do not change seats.

Rob Escobar, a 65-year-old retired oil field worker from Bryan, dutifully obeyed that unwritten rule on Sunday night. In doing so, he gave a new definition to the term “taking one for the team.”

Rob explained that he and his son, Eric, a high school math teacher in Brandon, MS, were in constant communication while watching Game 2 of A&M’s super regional baseball series against Oregon.

“We were texting throughout the game,” Rob said. “We were just talking about the game. We were concerned.”

Aggies everywhere were concerned. Oregon held a 7-3 lead after three innings. The Ducks maintained an 8-4 advantage through six.

Katie Smith, TexAgs

Texas A&M trailed 8-4 heading into the seventh inning. 

Rob, a lifelong Aggie fan, wasn’t about to give up, though. He’d overcome too much in life to surrender.

He’d suffered from an inherent kidney disease. He was on dialysis for five years. He badly needed a new kidney.

In 2020, a match was found, and he underwent successful transplant surgery.

“The Lord gave me another chance,” Rob said. “I’m trying to take advantage of it.”

Of course, he wasn’t giving up despite A&M facing a four-run deficit in the seventh inning. He wasn’t going to miss a single pitch.

But then, the unwritten rule thing came up.

After the sixth inning, Rob got up from his seat in the living room and — with help from his walker — made his way for what was intended to be a quick trip to the bathroom.

“Then all that drama started in the seventh inning,” Rob said.

He received a text message from Eric.

“Where are you?”

“In the bathroom. About to leave.”

“No, no, no. Don’t leave.”

The Aggies were rallying. Ali Camarillo led off with a walk, and Kaeden Kent followed with a single.

“He told me we can’t change anything. We’ve got to keep our seats,” Rob said.

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

As not to jinx the rally, Rob kept his seat. Eric texted play-by-play updates.

Zoe Kelton, TexAgs

Texas A&M’s furious nine-run rally lasted 41 minutes and saw the Aggies record just two hits to go along with seven walks and a hit-by-pitch.

“Appel walk. Bases loaded.”

“LaViolette walk. Camarillo scores.”

“Schott walk. Kent scores.”

“Burton HBP. Appel scores.”

“Sorrell walk. LaViolette scores.”

“Camarillo walk. Schott scores.”

“Kent GRAND SLAM!!!!!”

After the grand slam, Eric said the inning was over.

“You can leave.”

Rob said he sat in the bathroom for 41 minutes. But if it somehow helped the Aggies get to Omaha…

A man’s got to do what a man’s got to do.

Of course, Rob and Eric will be watching and texting the Aggies throughout the Men’s College World Series.

And if the Aggies start a rally…?

“I know what my son’s gonna tell me,” Rob said. “He’ll say, ‘You need to go back to the bathroom and sit down, whether you need to or not.’

“I will do it, too.”

There’s no doubt. Rob will do whatever he can to help the Aggies be No. 1.

Even if it involves No. 2.