Southern Exposure: SEC Baseball in the News

♦ Tanner wraps fall practice (southcarolina.rivals.com)

Of course the question had to be asked.

"Do you see a national championship team from what you saw in fall practice?"

"I don't know about all that, but I never felt like in the other two years, it was that case either," South Carolina coach Ray Tanner said on Tuesday. "College baseball is very, very good. The SEC is the best. There are so many teams that could be national champions at the end.

"I know how difficult it is. You have to be very special as a team to have a chance, and that's all we're trying to do."

♦ No. 1 LSU receiver Randle likely a difference maker in matchup at No. 2 Alabama (sportsnola.com)

Following a stellar prep career at Bastrop High School that included three years as a starter, the Rams posted a 41-2 overall record while Rueben earned first-team Parade All-American accolades. Rueben had some tough decisions to make concerning his future. That future could have meant a college career in Tuscaloosa.

Randle excelled in both football and baseball and modeled his diamond skills after New York Yankees captain Derek Jeter. The Rockies, Angels and Phillies all showed interest in selecting him in the Major League Baseball Draft. He was also rated as the number two prep receiver in the nation, drawing attention from every major football power in the land.

♦ Ryan Theriot Adds to LSU World Series Legacy (sportsnola.com)

Former LSU star Ryan Theriot earned a World Series ring Friday night when the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Texas Rangers, 6-2, in Game 7 at Busch Stadium.

Theriot, a second baseman with the World Champions who played at LSU from 1999-2001, batted .271 in 132 games for the Cardinals during the regular season with 26 doubles, one triple, one homer, 47 RBI and 46 runs scored.

The Baton Rouge native appeared in 12 postseason games, including five in the World Series. He delivered a crucial RBI Thursday night during the Cardinals’ dramatic 10th-inning rally in Game 6.

LSU has had former players win World Series titles in each of the past two seasons. Relief ace Brian Wilson and infielder Mike Fontenot helped lead the San Francisco Giants to the 2010 championship in five games over the Rangers.

Seven other former LSU Tigers have played for World Series championship teams, beginning in 1954 when infielder Alvin Dark helped lead the New York Giants to the title. Twenty years later, Dark managed the Oakland Athletics to the ’74 World Series championship. . .