Stetson University has some major bragging rights: its first alumnus to step on the field in the World Series.
Jacob deGrom's picture is plastered in just about every part of the baseball stadium the Stetson Hatters play in, Melching Field. That’s where deGrom made his collegiate baseball debut.
The hometown boy is playing in the Big Apple for the New York Mets, playing for the most coveted prize in the game.
“To say proud, that’s probably an understatement,” said Hatters Coach Pete Dunn.
Dunn was deGrom’s coach before his player went from Stetson University to Citi Field where the 27-year-old propelled the New York Mets to the World Series, becoming the first Stetson Hatter to play in the game’s biggest stage.
Dunn says the fame and glory has not fazed this hometown baseball hero.
“He’s just a good ‘ole country boy from DeLeon Springs, loves to hunt, loves to fish,” said Dunn.
DeGrom returned to sign his name over his old locker and met with the Hatters’ current pitcher.
“Ours was kind of a short conversation but it was ‘throw hard and down.’ So, that’s probably the best advice he gave me,” said Walker Sheller, one of the Hatter's pitchers.
Coach Dunn says even though current players were rooting for different teams during the regular season, they’ll be rooting for deGrom during the World Series.
"I’m looking forward to, after the Mets win the World Championship and he wins the games in the World Series, he comes back and we’ll sit down and chat,” said Dunn.
DeGrom is expected to return to DeLand after the World Series. He’ll be inducted into the Hatters Athletic Hall of Fame on Nov. 13.
Coach Dunn says deGrom’s appearance in the World Series will help a great deal when coaches are recruiting players.