Sports
Former Rebel Pitcher Mike Mayers to Make MLB Debut Tonight
Picture from Twitter @mike_mayers28
Former Rebel pitcher Mike Mayers will make his major league debut tonight at 7 p.m. EDT/6 p.m. CDT on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball as the Dodgers visit the Cardinals at St. Louis.
Mayers pitched for the Rebels during the 2011-2013 seasons. Mayers was the Saturday starter in 2012 and 2013 and led the Rebels to a regional championship berth in 2012 as he pitched a gem in knocking off host Texas A&M and counterpart big leaguer Ross Stripling.
Ole Miss vs Kentucky on April 25th, 2013 at Swayze Field in Oxford, MS. (courtesy Ole Miss Sports)
Mayers was extremely good during his time at Ole Miss in the starting rotation as the Ohio native had a 3.50 ERA in 2012 and a 2.83 ERA in 2013. Mayers led the Rebels to a SEC tournament win in 2013 in an elimination game against Kentucky on four days rest.
Mayers has had a very good year this year in the minor leagues, pitching for both the AA Springfield (Texas) Cardinals and the AAA Memphis Redbirds (see stats here). The right-hander had 3-3 record with Memphis and a 2.94 ERA.
Mayers return to play is extremely impressive considering he had surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome just over a year ago, sidelining him for most of the 2015 season.
He was drafted in the third round of the 2013 MLB draft, and while his play at Ole Miss was extremely good, Mayers was also known for the entertaining ritual that became a crowd favorite when he pitched at home games. After a fan donned a white mask reminiscent of the other Mike Myers from the movie Halloween, it became a routine. Mayers would warm up to the signature ominous song from the movie, and the fan would stand motionless while Mayers pitched at home games.
Mike Mayers mask day at Ole Miss baseball. The Alabama Crimson Tide could be very afraid. #rebsbsb pic.twitter.com/dVaTqCrKxI
— Jeff Roberson (@JeffRoberson_OW) April 13, 2013
Sources close to the family say there will be at least 50 family and close friends arriving in St. Louis today to experience the big moment.
Collin Brister is a staff writer for HottyToddy.com. He can be reached at collin.brister@hottytoddy.com.
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