Mississippi State in the World Series best-of-three

No Mississippi State baseball team will ever be remembered like the 1985 bunch, but despite the mountain of accolades, talent and wins, the Southeastern Conference team was the talk of the town and favored to win the college baseball Division I World Series.

But with a lineup of power hitters in All Americas Will Clark and Rafael Palmiero, an All-America starting pitcher in Jeff Brantley, another feared starter in Gene Morgan, and Bobby Thigpen, who would run in from his position in right field to take the mound in a relief role, these Bulldogs had to settle for a disappointing third place.

They arrived in Omaha, Neb., with a 50-15 record and the conference championship. But in back-to-back losses in double-elimination play, they flew back to Starkville. First they lost to Texas, 12-7, and then, 6-5 to eventual champion Miami of Florida.

Now, not only are they making their 12th appearance on the big stage, they have never hoisted the championship trophy. Not only that, but the school has yet to win a national title in any sport.

This team is good, it has a super starting pitcher in right-hander Will Bednar and a super righty reliever in fastballer Landon Sims. The problem is that both worked the deciding game of the series against Texas Saturday, a 5-4 win in nine innings, while its opponent, SEC rival Vanderbilt, the defending champion, got a huge break when North Carolina State’s bid tumbled after the NCAA declared its re-match versus the Commodores was ruled “no contest,” and the Wolf Pack was out of the tournament because of COVID-19 issues that had six of its players testing position.

And so N.C. State was left with nine position players and four hurlers, was angry to be scratched before flying home.

Thus, Vandy (47-16), instead of worrying about who would pitch in game two against the Wolf Pack Saturday, now can start sophomore right-hander Jack Leiter in game one of the World Series Monday night, and then have righty Kumar Rockers taking the hill in one of the other games. Both are All-Americas and top picks in the college draft.

So after Vanderbilt head coach Tim Corbin hugged the N.C. State head coach after the announcement, the Commodoes were automatically in the best-of-3 series, and in quest of their third national title.

Meanwhile, the big problem now is who will be the starting pitcher for Mississippi State in game one, and it could also have question marks for game two, and by then, perhaps in the deciding game three with Bednar on the mound. That would be advantage Bulldogs after crafty Bednar struck out 15 against Texas.

But game one would no doubt be advantage Vanderbilt. Leiter is the son of former Major League southpaw Al Leiter, who toiled 18 years in the Major Leagues. He will again be in the stands with family members.

Now the question is, will Clark, Palmieri, Brantley, and other members of the 1985 team that is still considered legendary in the school’s baseball history, attend the World Series. Until recent years, Clark and Palmieri did not associate with each other, but have now patched it up.

That year, first baseman Clark won the Golden Spike Award, batted .420 and clouted 25 home runs. Outfielder Palmieri hit .367 and belted 20 home runs. Brantley won 18 times in 23 starts, Morgan added 14 wins, and Thigpen would get the call and switch positions as the home fans cheered.

It was the team by which all others in MSU history have been judged. It remains a dream team with fondness and a sense of legend. It’s a program with outstanding fan support. It is ranked among the best in filling up Dudy Mobile Field, with average attendance of 14,737, and a high of 15,586 in 2014.

Now the question is, is Vanderbilt going to win another championship or will the Maroon and White of Mississippi State finally leave with the trophy.

Turnout crowds are again expected to fill TD Ameritrade Park. Weather conditions have resulted in several delays, with Texas and Mississippi State having its game on Friday delayed eight hours and 37 minutes, and ending around 2 o’clock in the morning. So hopefully the rain will stop along with lightning reports in the area.