AP) — OMAHA, Neb. - The College World Series has a scheduled off day Sunday, which will allow players to spend time or call their dads on Father's Day. LSU's Mikie Mahtook hasn't had that chance in 16 years.
Mahtook's father, Michael, died of a heart attack at age 32 when Mikie was just 4 years old, but he's old enough to have cherished memories.
"Believe it or not, I remember more than I probably should remember of him," Mahtook said. "I remember things like playing with Army men and setting them up on the coffee table before dinner.
It's good to get that kind of stuff in my mind, even though I was so young when it happened."
Mahtook's dad and an uncle, Robbie Mahtook, played football for LSU.
Mikie Mahtook, drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 39th round last year, has played in 59 of LSU's 69 games. His .328 average is fourth-best on the team, and he's gone 4 for 8 in two CWS games with a homer and three singles.
Though he lost his dad 16 years ago, Mahtook keeps his dad close to the heart.
"I got new cleats and put his initials and his football number, 54, on the side of my cleats," Mahtook said. "He's definitely there with me, and this is a big experience for me. I know he'll be there with me every minute."
LSU coach Paul Mainieri said Mahtook "plays baseball like a football player at full speed, with a hard-nosed attitude. He's pretty fearless out there.
"He doesn't back down from challenges. He gets after it. In a couple of years, people will be talking about him as one of the best kids in the country."
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