May 16, 2002

Entering his final collegiate series, Missouri first baseman Mick Weiss needs one home run to rank among the program's all-time career leaders. Weiss, who has hit a career-high 10 round-trippers this season, has 23 in his career, just one shy of Mark Thiel's 24 in 10th place.

"I wasn't aware of that but it definitely would be an accomplishment, something I can look back on and show people I did something when I was here."

Weiss has done more than just something during his time with the Tigers. He split time between second and third base as a freshman in 1999. He appeared in 37 games in 2000 before becoming the full-time starter at first base in 2001. Weiss responded by hitting a career-best .302 last season with 12 doubles and nine home runs. He has improved upon those totals this season, hitting .306 with 15 doubles, 10 home runs and driven in 50 runs.

"I don't know if I ever expected to be over at first but I was always confident in my ability to hit," said Weiss, commenting on his moves around the infield. "I always think I can do better but I think I have improved over the years. I've moved around a lot in the infield. It's been a good learning experience."

Weiss' bat has given him and the Tigers several good experiences, such as last season in the series finale against Iowa State at Taylor Stadium/Simmons Field.

Missouri was trailing by three runs going into the ninth inning when Weiss led off the frame with a homer. Former teammate Jon Williams followed with another home run before Luke Cassis drove in Lee Laskowski with the tying run. Weiss eventually hit a game-winning home run in the 10th inning to give the Tigers a 7-6 victory. Weiss' shot went through a gap in the gate in the Tigers' bullpen but was called a home run.

"At that point (the ninth), we were back by quite a few runs and I was trying to do something to keep us alive," he said. "When I got up in the 10th, I was surprised that that one got out because I didn't expect it."

In the 2002 season, Weiss has been a thorn in the side of many pitchers but particularly against Missouri natives, Baylor's Jared Theodorakos and Nebraska's Jamie Rodrigue. Weiss hit a total of three home runs against them.

"I think I was a little more competitive since I had played against them in high school but it was more of getting the right pitch at the right time, said Weiss who hails from St. Peters, Mo., and played at Francis Howell North High School. "I knew I wanted to do well against those hometown folks, too."

Weiss is not sure if his nickname, Griz, comes from his look after not shaving for a day or two or being compared to a teddy bear. "It's kind of an interesting nickname that has stuck around a while. When I hear them call me 'Griz' or say something like 'C'mon Griz, get the honey' on my way to the plate makes me smirk a little. Just knowing your teammates are behind in you in any aspect makes you feel good.

"I'm just a laid-back guy who went out there and did what he could to get the job done," Weiss continued. "The memories we'll come away with are more the interactions with our teammates rather than the games themselves."