Graphic: Kelly Streeter/UAA Communications
Alex Faedo is LSU "Mr. Two Bits"
Tuesday, October 3, 2017 | Baseball, Football, Chris Harry
UF ace and College World Series hero will take his turn with the iconic pregame cheer.
For his utter domination, Faedo was named Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Tournament after leading the Gators to their first baseball national championship. And for the same reason, he was invited back to do the honorary "Mr. Two Bits" chant before No. 21 UF (3-1, 3-0) faces LSU (3-2, 0-1) in their Southeastern Conference game Saturday at Spurrier/Florida Field.
Not exactly Omaha, and yet …
"I'm a little nervous, actually," Faedo said.
It will pass. Faedo confirmed as much.
This is a guy the Gators leaned on during the most pressure-packed time of the season and all he did was deliver. His final digits from NCAA play showed 27 1/3 innings, one earned run and 44 strikeouts. He became one of just five pitchers over the last 30 years (and the first since 2010) to fan more than 10 in two games at the CWS.
So a little "Two Bits! Four Bits!" isn't going to get to rattle him. Even in front of what's anticipated to be sellout homecoming crowd of 90,000.
Faedo will spend some time this week Googling and studying the routines of past celebrities asked to do the George Edmondson thing.
"I have to get comfortable with my technique," Faedo said. "Obviously, playing baseball all my life, I'm confident in my technique and confident in myself and my pitching because of my preparation. I just have make sure I prepare for this situation."
His preparations on the diamond led to a 9-2 record last season, a 2.26 ERA, 157 strikeouts, and just 42 walks, Gator glory in Omaha and a fat contract with the Tigers, who opted not to have Faedo participate in their minor-league seasons this summer because he threw so many innings for the Gators. Instead, he spent the time commuting Interstate-4 from his hometown of Tampa to the Tigers' minor-league headquarters in Lakeland to train, with an eye toward being rested and full-go come spring.
Faedo also spent some time driving up I-75. He was at both the Tennessee and Vanderbilt football games. Now, he'll be the pre-game centerpiece for the next one.
Worth noting: UF beat LSU in the CWS title series.
"Whenever I go back to Gainesville, it's just awesome seeing all the people who know who you are and are so excited and appreciate what we were able to accomplish as a team," said Faedo, whose entire 2017 championship squad will be honored during the Oct. 14 home football game against Texas A&M. "It's just cool knowing you can bring that kind of satisfaction to the University of Florida."
Come Saturday, he'll bring a different kind.
Players Mentioned
RHP
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