North Carolina State University Athletics
Alex Rodriguez Visits NC State
2/20/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Most college athletes were the best athlete in their high school and maybe in their entire hometown. As good as he is (All-ACC a year ago) sophomore second baseman Ramon Corona isn't even the best infielder in his neighborhood.
Corona's neighborhood in Coral Gables, Fla., is the home of some pretty darned good infielders, it seems, the most prominent being New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, the reigning American League MVP. Rodriguez lives across the street and one house down from the Coronas, and it says something very good about Ramon Corona that before the 2006 college season began, Rodriguez decided to surprise his neighbor by showing up at Doak Field unannounced to watch Corona play for the first time.
Corona responded by going 3-for-4 with a double and three RBIs in NC State's 21-3 season-opening victory over Delaware State as A-Rod watched along with Corona's parents from the front row above the Wolfpack dugout. Corona added another double and an RBI the next day in a 12-2 victory for the Pack.
Before flying back to Miami, Rodriguez toured Doak Field, spent an inning on the radio with Wolfpack broadcaster Dave Slade, filmed a TV promo touting Wolfpack baseball, and addressed the Wolfpack team in the NC State locker room following the second game of the Delaware State series. He also purchased a brick for the Doak Field entryway.
