Former Ole Miss Captain Tim Elko enjoying his pro career; gives some advice to current Diamond Rebels
PENSACOLA, Fla. — Earlier this week, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos hosted an “Education Day,” where school kids were able to ditch school for the day and go watch a minor league baseball game. Don’t worry, it was a sanctioned field trip for students from Bonifay, Fla., which is about 100 miles away from the ballpark, to Bay Minette, Ala., which sits on Mobile Bay.
The kids got admission to the game, snacks and even the Blue Angels, the Navy’s flight demonstration team, held their practice over the stadium prior to the game. It is safe to say the students had a great time, but they were not the only ones who were enjoying Pensacola.
Former Ole Miss captain Tim Elko is a member of the visiting Birmingham Barons, the AA-affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, the Blue Wahoo’s opponents this week.
The former Ole Miss first baseman and Captain is having a bit of fun in the Southern League series.
Tim Elko has a multi-hit game with this 107mph single to CF. The Captain is about due for a hot streak. #Barons #WhiteSox pic.twitter.com/m6jzU1SDEp
— FutureSox (@FutureSox) May 8, 2024
Elko got a hit and scored Birmingham’s only run Wednesday in a 5-1 loss to the Blue Wahoos, but Tuesday night, he belted a homer to lead the Barons to a 2-0 win. His home run was not just a regular one, it reached the waters of Pensacola Bay beyond the left field fence. Birmingham, the AA affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, is currently in first place in its division by five games.
ELKO SENDS ONE TO THE BAY!! 🌊#bhambarons pic.twitter.com/fdKnh198N1
— Birmingham Barons (@BhamBarons) May 8, 2024
Before the game, seeing the school kids file into the stadium, it reminded Elko of another time he played before a large crowd — the finals of the 2022 College World Series where he helped the Rebels win their first national title in program history.
To date, the crowds in Omaha are the biggest in front of which Elko has ever performed.
“Playing over there (in Omaha) we had 24, 25,000, it’s pretty crazy,” Elko said. “That’s the biggest crowd I’ve played in front of but I think the kids here (for Education Day) may give them a run for their money at least noise wise. But down in Omaha it is just a little bit different,” he added.
Elko has been making noise of his own in his short professional career having jumped two levels in a single season. Currently, he is hitting .264 with three homers, six doubles and 11 runs batted in. While he is enjoying his time in the minors, Elko says his main goal is to learn and get better everyday.
“It’s been a lot of fun (playing pro ball),” Elko said.
“I started last year down in low-A (classification) and I’ve got to play on all the teams up there so far, it’s been great. I’ve loved all the coaches and all the players, everybody that has been in our draft class and the players that have been here, it’s been awesome.“
Tim Elko on his career thus far
If he keeps up this pace, his career could get even better. He is one rung away from AAA Charlotte, N.C., and two away from playing in the major leagues.
At the moment, he is content in Birmingham where he is simply learning and having fun. The series will get a little more fun in Pensacola this week. Elko’s parents will make the drive to Pensacola to see their son play this weekend.
We asked Tim about his Rebels, currently 9-15 in SEC play and battling for their postseason lives, and if he has any advice for the players.
His response is just what one would expect from The Captain.
“I would just say go out and play every game like it’s your last. Make sure you believe in one another and believe in yourself and know that whatever situation each person is put into, know that they can do it. Know that they can succeed. Just keep believing, one game at a time. Go out there and give it 110 percent every time you get on the field.”
Tim Elko on advice he would give Ole Miss players
Here’s what else Tim had to say:
Hotty Toddy and best of luck to the Captain!
Steve Barnes
Steve Barnes joins The Rebel Walk staff as a senior writer and brings a trifecta of journalistic experience. As a writer, he has covered college sports for Rivals.com, Football.com and SaturdayDownSouth.com as well as served as a beat writer for various traditional newspapers.
He has been a broadcaster for arena football and several national tournament events for the National Junior College Athletic Association as well as hosting various shows on radio.
A former sports information director at Albany (Ga.) State University and an assistant at Troy and West Florida, he has helped host many NCAA conference, regional and national events, including serving five years on the media committee of the NCAA Division II World Series.
Barnes, a native of Pensacola, Fla., attended Ole Miss in 1983-84, where his first journalism teacher was David Kellum. The duo has come a long way since that time.
He will bring a proven journalistic track record, along with a knack for finding the out-of-the-ordinary story angles to The Rebel Walk.
Barnes continues to reside in Pensacola a mere ten minutes from the beach because he does have taste and a brain.
