Former Rebs to Play in MLB Post Season

(UMAA)OXFORD, Miss. – With the game tied in the sixth inning on Monday night and a playoff berth on the line, Seth Smith stepped to the plate for the Colorado Rockies and tripled to the wall in center field for the biggest hit of his professional career to date. A batter later, Smith crossed home plate on a sacrifice fly to give his team a 6-5 lead.

While Smith’s run didn’t prove to be the game winning run – the Rockies would lose the lead before coming up with three runs in the 13th inning to win – it was a big step for the outfielder as he helped Colorado earn a playoff appearance for the first time since 1995. The Rockies are hoping Smith can continue to have an impact as they challenge Philadelphia in the first round of the play-offs at 2 p.m. CST on Wednesday.

Smith, a three-year letterwinner with the Rebels was named Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Year in 2002.

Another former Rebel and current Major League outfielder will also take the field on Wednesday hoping to help his team to the World Series. Bobby Kielty hits the diamond with the Boston Red Sox against the Anaheim Angels.

Kielty hit .218 for Boston in the regular season and was picked up by the Red Sox after being designated for assignment by the Oakland Athletics in July. Kielty played for the Rebels in the 1998 season, earning a letter before being drafted by the Minnesota Twins. The Red Sox will take on the Anaheim Angels at 5:30 p.m. CST on Wednesday.

David Dellucci could see the field in the postseason as well, giving the Rebels three former outfielders in the playoffs. Dellucci spent most of the summer on the disabled list for the Indians, but returned to action late as Cleveland claimed the American League Central Division. He hit .230 for the season with 11 doubles, two triples, four home runs and 20 RBI. He also scored 25 runs for the Indians.

Cleveland will take on the New York Yankees at 5:30 p.m. CST on Thursday and does not have to name their playoff roster until Thursday morning.