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Rainey WS

#6 Baseball

From Dandy Don’s to Major League World Series

LIVINGSTON, Ala. –On October 21, 2014 Tanner Rainey and his University of West Alabama teammates took a break from the Annual Dandy Don's World Series to compete in the home run derby that accompanies the rite of fall in Livingston, a town of roughly 3,000 people if there isn't a sale in Tuscaloosa.
 
Rainey, the closer/first baseman for the West Alabama Tigers at the time, won the derby by hitting 10 homers in the final round at Tartt Field. He edged out outfielders Parker Madden and Jake Bush.
 
On May 5, 2015 Raney and his Tiger teammates were suiting up for the 2015 Gulf South Conference Baseball Championship, also at Tartt Field. The Folsom, Louisiana, native would go 4-for-4 that day, hitting three home runs and driving in five runs to hand UWA is first conference title in 10 seasons.
 
On Tuesday, Oct. 22, Rainey will be suiting up for the Washington Nationals as Game 1 of the 2019 Major League Baseball World Series begins at Minute Maid Park against the Houston Astros.
 
"It's an unbelievable feeling to be a part of something like this," Rainey said. "It is a dream that's coming true to be part of the best team at the highest level."
 
As a senior at West Alabama, Rainey was all-conference, all-region and all-America. He excelled as a hitter, blasting a school-record 19 home runs while batting .386  with 15 doubles and 68 RBI as the Tigers' everyday first baseman and closer as a senior.
 
As the West Alabama closer in 2015, Rainey made 26 appearances, going 4-1 with nine saves and a 1.59 earned run average.
 
"Tanner has worked very hard throughout his career and we are excited that he now has the opportunity to play in the World Series," West Alabama head coach Gary Rundles said. "We are very proud of Tanner and wish he and his teammates the very best during the Series."
 
Drafted as a second-round compensatory pick by the Cincinnati Reds in the 2015 MLB Amateur Draft, Rainey was not a full-time pitcher until he was a drawing a paycheck for playing baseball.
 
After starting for two years in the Reds' organization, Rainey returned to a relief role and thrived. His fastball has topped 100 mph now and again over the last two seasons, but he normally throws it in the 97-98 mph range. His slider sits at 87-88 mph unless it turns into a cutter at 91-92 mph.
 
In 52 appearances this season for the Nationals, Rainey threw 48.1 innings with a 2-3 record, nine holds and a 3.91 ERA. In the 2019  postseason he has pitched four innings in relief with an 0.75 WHIP and a 4.50 ERA.
 
The stakes are slightly different from October 2015 to October 2019.
 
By winning the Dandy Don's World Series Homerun Derby in 2015, Rainey may have earned the right to avoid dressing up to serve his teammates at a dinner as fall practice came to an end.
 
When the MLB World Series begins Tuesday in Houston, hitting home runs won't be on Rainey's mind at all. An Astros ball club with seven players who hit at least 20 home runs this season will.
 
A full postseason share for the 2018 World Series Champion Boston Red Sox was worth $416,837.72. A cheeseburger at Dandy Don's sells for slightly over $2.  
 
Rainey may be looking to buy the house a round of the best cheeseburger in Alabama. A World Series save might even add a large fry to the deal.
 
 
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