Tim Elko proposes counter idea to putting up statue in his honor

The College World Series has concluded with the Ole Miss Rebels standing atop the NCAA Baseball world – and their Game 2 victory wouldn’t have been possible without the stellar slugging performance from veteran infielder Tim Elko.

Following the victory, Rebels faithful gathered together on social media to build momentum for a potential life-sized statue of Elko outside of Vaught Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi – an idea the man himself isn’t too fond of.

“I don’t really want one,” Elko revealed. “I kind of just want one of all of us holding the National Championship trophy. That’s all I want.”

Based on his Game 2 performance against Oklahoma, though, it’s no surprise the die-hard Ole Miss fanbase rallied around the fifth-year star.

In the Rebels’ 10-3 victory over the Sooners on Saturday, Elko went an astounding 4-for-5 at the plate with two RBI’s. He couldn’t find that same magic at the plate in Game 2, going 0-4 while striking out twice.

Elko couldn’t care less about a bad day in the box, though – he’s used to overcoming adversity, just as his team has had to all season long.

Ole Miss was the final team to get the call for the 2022 NCAA Tournament on Selection Sunday – now, they’re the final team standing at the College World Series, claiming college baseball’s most coveted prize for the first time in program history.

Somehow, the Elko from this postseason isn’t even the sharpest he’s ever looked. In 2021, Elko proved his worth, batting .325 with 16 home runs and 55 RBI’s. In the middle of that season, he suffered a torn ACL, though returned just a month later, and continued mashing at the plate while clearly battling through pain in his knee. Rested up and healthier as a senior, Elko still batted .300, hitting 24 home runs and 75 RBIs en route to finishing his collegiate career as a national champion.

Elko isn’t just a fan-favorite, he’s also popular in the locker room, posing as a team captain and a leader to many of his peers. Rebels star pitcher Dylan DeLucia is not different. He addressed how much he’s taken away from playing alongside Elko since arriving in Oxford and how much it’s elevated him on and off the field.

“I’ve grown up so much just in that aspect of being a teammate, being a better teammate, just looking up to Tim [Elko] really,” DeLucia said. “He’s like a mentor to me, the way he’s just picked me up, kept me going, put my head on straight. I’ve never seen someone like that.”

Now, Elko must look turn toward the professional route and the MLB Draft, where he is considered one of the top 500 prospects entering this summer’s draft.