Hometown Rankin - June & July 2017

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The Best Day Camille Anding 84 • June 2017
It certainly felt like Matt Withrow’s best day when he was drafted by the Atlanta Braves as a pitcher in the 6th round in 2015. Since baseball had become a major part of his life while growing up in Odessa, Texas, it was like waking up from a dream and seeing it was reality. In the oil field town of Odessa, there wasn’t much extra-curricular to enjoy – other than sports. Matt, with his two older brothers, spent free time in athletics along with seasonal hunting and fishing. Matt played his first baseball in the 9th grade, but in a short time the pitching mound became his favorite spot on the field. He credits his dad, who played with the Chicago White Sox, and older brothers with part of his baseball success. Some really good coaches, one that played with the Yankees, are others that taught him basic skills and command on the pitching mound. One brother presently plays with the Kansas City Royals. Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, was where he pursued his college education and baseball dream. He also renewed his friendship with Kristin, a young lady he had known since elementary school. “She didn’t like me then,” he says with a laugh, but times change and so did their relationship. They were married in November of 2016 and live with their host family, the Wilsons, in Clinton, Mississippi. The 6’5” pitcher starts every fifth day of the Braves’ schedule. The conditioning, practices and weight room fill Matt’s days before and after all ballgames. It’s a demanding schedule with only two off-days a month. One baseball report said of Matt: “Withrow’s attitude on the mound is notable and a definite positive.” A scouting report describes Matt this way: “Withrow’s listed at 6’5” and 235 pounds, and he looks that, for sure. He strikes an imposing pose on the mound, pulling his cap over his brow to give the hitter no real view of his eyes as he focuses on the plate.” Matt says that he’s learned to block out fan noise when he’s pitching. It’s a key part of focus that his dad taught him. For Rankin fans of the Mississippi Braves, here’s a bit of trivia about Withrow, #40. Roger Clemens is his favorite, all-time baseball player, and if you consider wearing the same shirt for every game a superstition, Matt has at least one game superstition. Matt continues to play hard and perfect his pitching skills. All the workouts, pre-game and practice drills are the hard parts to playing professional baseball, according to this pitcher. He chooses not to focus on the “what ifs” associated with his future in baseball but enjoy the dream of being on the pitching roster. Matt says, “When you’re on the mound, that’s your best day!” Hometown Rankin • 85
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volume 4 number 3 June 2017 message
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Hometown Rankin • 3
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publisher & Editor Tahya A. Dobbs C
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Jason Herrington It means patriotis
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dine-in . take-out catering Pit Smo
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“When you say, ‘I’m from Bran
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After the family invested the twent
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Urgent Ortho-Care is expanding to M
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Home of the Free Because of the Bra
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William Simmie Honea, Jr. Hometown:
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April 6 - Pelahatchie Baptist Churc
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Anh Giang Edwards, OD Melissa R asm
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Vihaan Mahajan I love that he plays
Page 33 and 34: Serving our county Phillip Sandifer
Page 35 and 36: Hometown Rankin • 35
Page 37 and 38: : architects : engineers : interior
Page 41 and 42: Mississippi Blood Services offers a
Page 45 and 46: “Every single person on staff is
Page 47 and 48: Anyone that has ever lost a loved o
Page 49 and 50: So a few weeks ago, I was in our ba
Page 53 and 54: ankin Recipes Drunk & Dirty Beef Te
Page 55 and 56: Annual Luncheon march 30 • Richla
Page 57 and 58: From nose to toes we’ve got you c
Page 59 and 60: Love is an incredible & powerful fo
Page 61 and 62: Knowing that being placed on a tran
Page 69 and 70: Updates to the park over the years
Page 77 and 78: Moving to Rankin County was a wonde
Page 83: Call us to schedule your next visit
Page 89 and 90: From a very young age, Becca’s fa
Page 91 and 92: her neighbors to recycle as much as
Page 97 and 98: Highland Bluff Elementary Each year
Page 99 and 100: Pisgah High Before we complete fina
Page 101 and 102: Pelahatchie High Partnered with Get
Page 103 and 104: C M Y CM MY CY CMY K Hometown Ranki
Page 105 and 106: Retirement, Assisted Living, Memory
Page 107 and 108: KD’s Furniture Great Selection of
Page 115 and 116: NEW YEAR NEW LOCATION NEW EQUIPMENT
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Hometown Rankin - June & July 2017

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