Jason Michaels receives 'tremendous honor'

After spending eight-plus seasons as a major-league outfielder, Jason Michaels has plenty of memorable moments. But few can compare to the one at UM's Mark Light Field that still gives him goose bumps 12 years later.

Michaels, who lives in Tampa and plays with the Houston Astros, learned last week that he will be inducted next year into the UM Sports Hall of Fame.

During the 1997 NCAA Regional, the Hurricanes -- two outs from elimination -- trailed Arizona State 6-3 with one out in the bottom of the ninth and the bases loaded. Michaels crushed a 3-1 fastball beyond the left-center-field fence for the walk-off victory. Later that night, his three-RBI performance catapulted the Hurricanes to the College World Series.

``I don't even remember running the bases,'' Michaels said by phone. ``Once I got to first it was almost like a blackout -- `What just happened?!' It was euphoria.''

UM baseball coach Jim Morris said every time he thinks of Michaels, he thinks of the grand slam. ``The place absolutely went bonkers.''

Michaels, 33, and his wife, Pamela, are expecting their first child in December, a girl to be named Payton Lynn. He hopes to drive with his wife to the UM home football game Saturday against Virginia. Michaels and the other UM inductees, who have not yet been announced, will be introduced to the crowd at halftime.

``I'm ecstatic,'' Michaels said. ``It's a tremendous honor.''



(miamiherald.com)