By Dan Ryan/Bethune-Cookman Athletic Communications
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The memories are still fresh for Demetrius Sims, but, oh, are they vivid.
Feb. 17, 2017, the season opener against Boston College. Bottom of the ninth, two out. Sims jacks the 2-2 pitch deep into right center that scores Danny Rodriguez from first. Nate Sterijevski follows with the walk-off single and the 2-1 victory.
Not exactly ancient history – we still checked the box score for accuracy – but it does goes to show how much the former B-CU baseball star appreciates being back at Jackie Robinson Ballpark with his Jupiter Hammerheads – the Miami Marlins' Class A affiliate in the Florida State League – for a three-game series with the Daytona Tortugas this week.
"It's surreal coming back," Sims said prior to Tuesday's game, in which he went 1-for-3. "I always envisioned this. When I was at B-CU, we'd be practicing and as we finished, we'd see the Tortugas players hitting. It's a good feeling to be back, a star struck moment."
The place has changed somewhat, primarily the new playing surface ("Much needed. Jackie had tough hops when I played," Sims noted) and for some reason, the ball travels better to left center, but that's what makes baseball what it is – the subtleties.
Sims is in a good place, too – his status in the Marlins organization.
Yeah, it's cool to have Sims back in town, but this isn't a full circle thing. If your parent team is one of the 14 with a farm club in the Class A advanced affiliate league, you're going to make a stop or two in Daytona Beach as you make your way to the show.
And when you're a 14th-round pick hitting a team best .338 with four homers and 19 RBIs playing advanced A ball in year two – that's a really good place as well.
"I started a little slower than I wanted," Sims said. "But I've learned it's about controlling the things I can control, go with the flow and playing hard every day.
"I'm working on improving everything [about his game]," Sims added. "All aspects. Including mentally. I've gotten better mentally preparing for a game."
Sims remembers that Boston College victory setting the tone for a remarkable 2017 B-CU baseball season. His first day in Jupiter is also up there in the tone-setting department.
He was in Appleton, Wisc. with the Clinton (Iowa) Lumber Kings for a road game against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, when he got the call: Head to the airport the next morning and be on a plane at 4 a.m. for a game with Jupiter that night.
With a travel bag that included just three pair of underwear, and maybe a couple of pairs of shirts and shorts, Sims arrived in Jupiter. He stopped at TJ Maxx – Clinton was shipping the rest of his of stuff and Jupiter would be going on a road trip the next day – before heading to the ballpark all weary-eyed.
Sims launched a three-run homer that night. Finished 2-3 with four RBI.
"Good little debut," Sims laughed.
"They say the looser you are, the better you play," Sims said. "All I was thinking about was getting into a bed."
That reflects on one of his current mantras – take advantage of the opportunity.
"It isn't how you start, it's how you finish," Sims. "Coming from a small school that may not have the resources, but making the most of what you have."
Sims was a part of what is perhaps the greatest day of Bethune-Cookman baseball – that 2017 regional Sunday when the Wildcats beat nationally-ranked South Florida and Florida to force a seventh game against the eventual national champion Gators. Combined with a victory over Marist the day before, BCU won more post-season games in 36 hours than in the previous 36 years.
That day still provides inspiration.
"It's still a story I'm completing now – being the underdog." Sims said. "David and Goliath all over again. Being a 14th round pick, people don't expect much and being able to produce. "Beating Florida for the first time ever … it's a very fitting story."
OTHER BCU BASEBALL ALUMNI
MONTANA DURAPU became the fifth Wildcat to make the majors, appearing in ten games with the Pittsburg Pirates. He started two games. He's now back with the AAA team in Indianapolis.
PETE O'BRIEN was on the Miami Marlins' Opening Day roster, but is now with the AAA affiliate in New Orleans. He played 22 games for the Marlins last season, hitting four home runs.
ANTHONY MALDONADO is off to a strong start, posting a 2-1 record in six relief appearances with 10 strikeouts and a 2.25 ERA for the Gulf Coast Marlins in the Rookie League. The GCL Marlins share the Marlins' spring training facility with the Hammerheads. "I see Maldy every day," Sims said.
MICHAEL AUSTIN is with the Washington Wild Things of the Frontier League, an independent team. He's 4-6 on the mound with a 5.25 ERA.
MICHAEL CRUZ is with the Inland Empire 66ers, the Los Angeles Angels' Advanced A affiliate in the California league. He was hitting .290 before going on the injury list.
RAYAN GONZALES has a 3-1 record with a 2.31 ERA with the Hartford Yard Goats, the Colorado Rockies' AA affiliate in the Eastern League.
CLAY MIDDLETON is with the Down East Wood Ducks, a Texas Rangers Class A affiliate in the Carolina League. He's appeared in 17 games with a .130 average.