Oklahoma State University Athletics
SPECIAL FEATURE: OSU Freshman Has Found A Spot Amongst Upperclassmen
May 18, 2004 | Cowboy Baseball
Keanon Simon has started in center for the Cowboys in 42 of the 50 games so far this season, which he said is something more than he expected.
"I thought I would play a little bit, but I'm glad I'm getting the chance to play every game," Simon said. "I get to show people what I am capable of doing."
On either side of Simon are seniors Scott Kirby and Rod Allen helping patrol the outfield grass, which is something Simon said he has enjoyed.
"It makes you feel pretty comfortable," Simon said. "I don't have too much experience out there, but those two guys are veterans out there and they help me a lot. If I mess up, they kinda tell me what I need to do to help me to correct my mistakes."
Going into the Texas Tech series, Simon had hit one home run and had knocked in 21 runners.
In the first game of the series, Simon hit a grand slam and a two-run double in the same inning, which helped the Cowboys cruise in the 14-2 victory.
"I felt good," Simon said. "I just try to see the ball and hit it, and that is what happened. I was just doing what I was supposed to be doing; hit the ball out of the infield and drive some runs in."
Every time Simon has stepped into the batter's box, a Metallica song has accompanied him, which is a song he had never heard before the season started.
"My roommate Kyle likes Metallica a lot and I really didn't have a song, so he was like, 'I got a sweet one for you,'" Simon said. "He played it and I liked it, so that's what I used."
Simon was recruited by former OSU coach Tom Holliday, but entered fall practice with Frank Anderson filling the role as the new Cowboys' coach.
Simon said from day one, he has had a good time playing for the former Texas pitching coach.
"It's been good," Simon said. "He's a good coach. He just wants you to go out there and give it all you've got. He expects you to play the game the way it is supposed to be played, which is good."
In 154 at-bats, Simon has built a .305 batting average while knocking in 27 runners. He has also walked 15 times.
With the college baseball season stretching longer than the high school schedule that he has been accustomed to, Simon said he is trying to make sure he keeps producing for the Cowboys.
"I'm just trying to stay out of those big slumps and be a consistent ball player," Simon said. "I come out here every day and give what I've got to help the team."
Since the school year has ended, Simon has more time to find things to do after spending a lot of time in Allie P. Reynolds Stadium.
"I just do whatever's fun," Simon said. "I go with the flow. I like fishing, hunting, playing a little volleyball every now and then. I also hang out with the guys, take it easy and relax."
When it comes to being a fan, Simon said he has to turn back the clock for highlights of his favorite player, Mickey Mantle.
"I like the way he played the game," Simon said. "He was real fast, had power and he could do a little bit of everything. I like that. My grandpa always liked him a whole lot, so it kinda rubbed off on me I guess."
Simon not only looks up to Mantle, but also said he has also been able to look up to the upperclassmen on the OSU roster.
"Mostly all the older guys have been good about helping me keep my head up," Simon said. "All of the upperclassmen are great to be on a team with, and I have learned a lot from them."
The Cowboys have spent time in first in the Big 12 and are currently sitting in third place. After dropping two out of three to the Red Raiders, OSU is one game ahead of the Red Raiders with one conference series remaining on the schedule.
Before the Cowboys can travel to Missouri, they will host Western Illinois for a two-game series beginning Tuesday at 7 p.m.
"We've got to take it one game at a time," Simon said. "We have to go out there and play ball. We don't look that far ahead. We've got Western Illinois for two games, so we have to start with that and go from there."
With his freshman year coming closer to an end, Simon said there is still enough baseball remaining on the schedule to keep him occupied enough to not worry about the future of the program.
"We're gonna lose some seniors and probably some guys to the draft," Simon said. "We're gonna have to get some new guys and move on. I really haven't thought about next year yet. We've gotta finish this year out.
"That seems like a long way away."
