| Current Poll |
Who do you think should manage Ferriday water?
View Results
|
|
Story Archives: Dean assisting Hinsons
- 2013 - 340 articles
- 2012 - 856 articles
- 2011 - 635 articles
- 2010 - 1276 articles
- 2009 - 1591 articles
- 2008 - 1763 articles
|
Dean assisting Hinsons
Former LSU standout baseball player Blake Dean is lending a helping hand for Tucker Cross Hinson.
Tucker the son of Brett and Kayce Hinson, was born July 1 with Pallister-Killian Mosaic Syndrome, a rare chromosome disorder.
The family is still at Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children in Jackson, Ms.
Brett said Dean called him after talking with Kassi Randall of Vidalia.
Dean is donating a number of items for raffles and an auction to help the Hinsons.
"I actually learned about it through Facebook," Dean said.
Kassi Randall of Vidalia, a friend of the Hinsons, messaged Dean and told him of their situation.
"I've done a few things charity-wise," Dean said. "I was in the Red, Rock & Blue Softball Tournament and was a waiter at a celebrity fund-raiser at Walk-ons.. I enjoy doing things for people, and it's a way of giving back. But once Kassi messaged me I asked her what I could do."
The Red, Rock & Blue Softball Tournament was held in March in Baton Rouge where all proceeds were split in half to Support Our War Heroes and The Blue Star Mothers of Louisiana.
Dean called the 25-year-old Brett after messaging Kassi.
"I had no idea he was my age, I assumed he was older," Dean said. "That made it hit home even more. I had never heard of that and Brett told me this was only the 61st known case ever. I honestly had no idea about it. I talked with Coach (Paul) Mainieri for about an hour and he donated a signed jersey, some bats and hats."
Hinson said he is planning on raffling off some items and having an auction leading up to a benefit softball tournament on August 4.
"I'm going to try and make it," Dean said. "But even if I don't I will have some items there."
Dean was a decorated member of their 2009 College World Series squad. He finished No. 2 in school history in hits (332), RBIs (260), total bases (575) and No. 4 in home runs (56).
Dean retired from professional baseball this spring and will join LSU coach Paul Mainieri's staff as an undergraduate assistant coach this fall.
Dean, who the Dodgers drafted in the eighth round of the 2010 MLB draft, informed his club this spring that he was not planning on continuing his career.
Though he was a four-year letterman at LSU, Dean didn't finish his degree requirement before leaving Baton Rouge to start his professional career.
With 18 hours to finish before he graduates, Dean is eligible to join Mainieri's staff next fall as a student assistant, the same role former Tiger Buzzy Haydel filled last season.
"There were a lot of people shocked when I hung it up," Dean said. "But I just did not enjoy the pro aspect But I'm glad to be staying in it and being a part of it still excites me."
Dean said he was shocked at the way LSU's offense went into the hole at the end of the season.
"I was really surprised," he said. "That's tough to describe why that happened."
But he was not shocked to see Raph Rhymes not keep up his blistering numbers at the end.
"When you hit close to .500 the whole year, you are due for a slump, that's part of the equation," Dean said. "It just came at the most inopportune time."
Dean said he is excited to be back at LSU.
"I'm looking forward to getting in there and passing on what I have learned," he said. "Even if I can teach someone one thing, that's a plus. There are some good guys coming back. We do need to get some lefties in the lineup."
Dean's younger brother, who will be a senior at Crestview High in Fort Walton Beach, Fl., committed to LSU.
"I'm excited about that," Blake said.
After a standout career at Vidalia High in baseball and football, Hinson went on to Mississippi College, earning 3Third Team All-American by D3baseball.com as a pitcher. He also pitched for the Alexandria Aces.
Hinson posted a 10-2 record with an earned run average of 3.63 at MC, striking out 105 batters in 91 innings of work.
Hinson's 10 wins were the second most in Mississippi College's history and the most in the country through the conference tournaments.
His 105 strikeouts were a new school record and the third most in the nation through the conference tournaments.
Hinson allowed one run in 14 innings over three days as the Choctaws came up one game short of the American Southwest Conference Championship. |
|
| Frank Morris Murder Series |
|
|
E-mail Story
Print Story
