Mets Ties in the College World Series

By Jay Horwitz

There are two great reasons why I am rooting for Vanderbilt when the Commodores open play in the SEC baseball tournament Wednesday at Metropolitan Stadium in Hoover, AL.

One is Mike Baxter, Vandy’s batting coach and chief recruiter and whose diving catch nine years ago in leftfield helped preserve Johan Santana’s no-hitter, still the only no-hitter in Mets history.

Two is Jack Leiter, Vanderbilt’s star sophomore righthander and three is Jack’s dad Al, who will be in Alabama cheering for his son.

Arkansas, Mississippi State, Tennessee and Vandy all drew first round byes in the tourney.

“I let Jack do his thing,” said Al with a smile.” I don’t bud in. I sit in the stands and root like crazy.”