Crestview proclaims July 2, 2009 as Blake Dean Day (with VIDEO, PHOTOS)
By ADAM PRUIETT
Northwest Florida Daily News
315-4421 | adamp@nwfdailynews.com
CRESTVIEW - Thunder rumbled beyond the right-field fence as Blake Dean stepped into the batter's box. And when he was finished, lightning bolts flashed through the skies.
It was a scene reminiscent of "The Natural," only no Hollywood magic was needed. Dean launched one majestic homer after another like a modern-day Roy Hobbs. Those watching at Crestview High sat in awe.
PHOTOS: Click to view photos of Dean hitting and other alumni photos
"Big, big idol. Hometown hero," the Bulldogs' Nick Brown said of Dean. "I just wish I was left handed so I could hit like him."
He's not alone. Nearly every young boy who picks up a bat in Crestview aspires to be like Dean, the former Bulldog slugger who just recently won a College World Series with LSU and was drafted by the Minnesota Twins.
On Thursday evening, the hometown hero returned to the field where he first entranced Bulldog fans and became idolized by so many baseball-loving youngsters. In a ceremony prior to the Bulldogs' alumni game, Crestview Mayor David Cadle proudly proclaimed July 2, 2009 as "Blake Dean Day."
Cadle recalled staying up until midnight watching LSU defeat Texas 7-6 in 11 innings in Game 1 of the CWS.
"But coming from a household that's full of LSU fanatics, it was worth the wait," Cadle said. "And every other game was worth the wait too."
Dean bashfully declined to address the adoring crowd, but he'd already given them what they wanted to see. Wearing a CWS national championship shirt and hat along with purple LSU shorts, Dean strolled up to the plate to take several cuts after the home run derby contest between the Bulldog varsity and the alumni.
Crestview coach Tim Gillis tossed 26 pitches to Dean, who promptly deposited 13 of them over the fence. The first didn't come until his fifth swing, but later he cranked five in a row and nine of 11. Some were line drives, others were moon shots.
"You got me loosened up," Dean said, grinning at Gillis.
On his last blast, a frozen rope that zoomed past the right-field wall, Dean flipped his bat and began unstrapping his batting gloves before the ball even landed.
"It's fun to be back out here with all my old teammates and people I've grown up around my whole life," Dean said. "To come back and see most of them is fun. It's a good time to catch up with them."
Dean arrived in town over the weekend and has been taking things easy after a thrilling month. Right now, he's in the process of deciding his future on the diamond, which could lead him to LSU for his senior season or into the minor leagues with the Twins. While he's talked with Minnesota a few times, salary figures haven't yet been discussed.
Whatever he chooses to do, Dean will have the city's support behind him.
Said Gillis: "I think he's made everybody in Crestview proud."
