Countdown to First Pitch: 9 Days (Matt Simonds Blog)

Feb. 10, 2010

The Georgia Tech baseball team begins the 2010 season Friday, Feb. 19 when it opens a three-game series with Missouri State. With preseason practice underway, fans can check out RamblinWreck.com to find blogs, video interviews and Q&A’s by members of the 2010 squad about their lives as college students, what’s going on in practice, and their excitement about the upcoming season in the countdown to first pitch series.

Today’s blog is with redshirt sophomore outfielder/infielder Matt Simonds.

Hey everybody!

As we gear up for the season, there is a different edge to the clubhouse because everyone is so focused, so determined, so hungry. The longevity of that edge might be the difference that gets us over the hump this year. We were extremely fortunate to have Mark Teixeira come by a few days ago and fuel that appetite and offer us some words of wisdom.

Going off of one of his pieces of advice, to always remember to have fun, I present to you my best attempt, Yellow Jacket fans. I hope you enjoy a collage that I have spent way too many hours Google image searching (on your behalf) in order to find the celebrity look-a-like for some of the members of the Jackets. Enjoy!

Junior Derek Dietrich | Actor Mike “The Situation”

Sophomore Jake Davies | Actor/Comedian Kevin James

Sophomore Connor Winn | Snowboard/Skateboarder Shaun White

Junior Brandon Cumpton | Actor Colin Farrell

Junior Jeff Ussery | Anchorman Ron Burgundy

Senior Jay Dantzler | Olympic Swimmer Michael Phelps

Freshman Sam Dove | Singer Aaron Carter

Senior Tony Plagman | Football legend Rudy Reuttiger as portrayed by Actor Sean Astin

Assistant Coach Tom Kinkelaar | ESPN NFL Analyst Mel Kiper Jr.