TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Delmonicos Enjoying Storybook Season

ADVERTISEMENT

By SCOTT CARTER | The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 14, 2008

TALLAHASSEE - Rod Delmonico and his oldest son, Tony, Florida State's starting shortstop, often meet up after games for dinner and conversation. Their favorite postgame ritual took on new life Sunday night as the Delmonicos basked in the afterglow of FSU's first berth in the College World Series in eight years.

The Delmonicos were going back to Omaha's Rosenblatt Stadium together, but this time, not only as father-son, but also as coach-player, a dream scenario that seemed unlikely at the end of the 2007 season when Rod was fired after 18 seasons as Tennessee's head coach. Tony, Tennessee's starting second baseman for two seasons, opted to leave as well and play his junior season somewhere else.

As soon as he made his decision to leave Tennessee, Tony suspected he might land in the town he was born.

"Something told me I was going to end up here," Tony said. "Everything just kind of led to FSU. I knew they were going to lose their second baseman and possibly their shortstop, so there was going to be room for me. I made my decision and I haven't looked back since."

Tony plans to be back in FSU's starting lineup at shortstop today when the Noles face Stanford in the opening game of the CWS, his first trip back to Omaha since serving as Tennessee's batboy at the CWS in 2001. After starting FSU's first 64 games, Delmonico missed the final two games of the Noles' win over Wichita State in the Super Regional after suffering a severe left lower-ankle sprain when Wichita State's Ryan Jones slid hard into second base - a play that upset FSU and created a tension-filled series - opening a cut on Delmonico's ankle that required four stitches.

"I'm eager to get back as a player," said Tony, 21. "Around this time last year, I didn't really know where I was going to go. I'm going to cherish every moment."

Once Tony transferred to FSU - current NCAA rules permit baseball players to transfer and play without sitting out a season - Rod, who spent six years as a FSU assistant in the 1980s, soon returned to Tallahassee as a volunteer assistant coach. Rod works with FSU's outfielders and coaches first base during games.

With Tony planning to turn pro after the season - he was drafted in the sixth round (187th overall) by the Dodgers last week and is expected to receive a six-figure signing bonus - Rod is thankful of the opportunity FSU coach Mike Martin offered last offseason.

"It's been incredible year," said Rod, who hopes to get another head-coaching job and has an interview at Florida Atlantic next week. "I love Florida State. I can't say anything but great things. It's been an unbelievable ride this year, getting to see my son play. It was an easy move for us."

The transition didn't come without sacrifices. Tony's younger brothers, Joey and Nicky, remained in Tennessee with their mom, leading Farragut High to the Class AAA state championship. Meanwhile, Tony enjoyed the best season of his career at FSU, hitting .380 with eight home runs and 69 RBIs entering today's game. Delmonico has been at his best in the postseason, hitting .462 since in nine games since the start of the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament.

"He's played a big role," FSU outfielder Jack Rye said. "He is so excited. He's done such a great job for us. He had never even been in a playoff game until he got here, and now he's going to Omaha. He's on cloud nine."

Martin can relate to the once-in-a-lifetime ride the Delmonicos are enjoying. He coached his son Mike Jr. in the CWS in 1994.

"It's one of the only times in my career where I literally stopped what I was doing and watched that one at-bat," Martin said. "I was determined I was going to do that."

Rod left Tennessee as the school's all-time wins leader (699-396), including three trips to the College World Series. He also made it to Omaha three times during his first stint at FSU, giving him plenty of perspective to share with Tony.

At least once during their trip to Omaha, the Delmonicos' postmeal dinner will probably be at Johnny's Steakhouse, a favorite place of Rod's in previous visits. They'll talk about baseball, cars and the future, all while firmly entrenched in the present.

"Omaha is like heaven," Rod said. "That's how good it is. I cherish every day, every hour that you're out there. Now he's got a chance to continue playing and finish his dream in Omaha. I mean, that's where you want to end. All this stuff that you do is to get to Omaha."

Reporter Scott Carter can be reached at (850) 294-3088 or scarter@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT