Polk’s longest spring keeps getting longer
I am writing this from a plush, spacious press box at USM’s Pete Taylor Park. My seat is leather and there are high-def TVs to my left and right.
We’re on the third floor here, and we rode up on an elevator that serves 12 luxury suites that are sold out with a waiting list.
We are overlooking a beautifully manicured field, and nearly 4,500 fans are here for a mid-week game between Mississippi State and USM.
College baseball has come a long way in this neck of the Piney Woods. Corky Palmer, the coach here, knows a major reason why. One of the biggest wears No. 1 in the maroon uniform.
Before Wednesday night’s game, Palmer walked to home plate signalled across the field for Ron Polk to join him. There, in a pre-game ceremony, Palmer presented the retiring Polk with a plaque to honor his amazing career and, more than that, his contributions to Mississippi baseball. USM fans, to their credit, stood and gave Polk a prolonged ovation that nearly drowned out the public address announcement. Polk waved his thanks to the crowd.
clarionledger.com
4/24/08
