LSU's Marucci Has Eye on Tigers, Series

Jack Marucci's focus this week has been the health of his LSU Tigers as they prepare for Saturday's SEC showdown at third-ranked Alabama. But Marucci can't help but sneak a peek at the World Series between the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies.

Especially after Marucci prior to the start of the Series received a message from Philadelphia's Chase Utley that indicated he wanted a special bat to swing against New York reliever Mariano Rivera.

"It's the same wood but a different style, a little thicker and shorter," Marucci told FanHouse Wednesday.

In his 14th year as director of athletic training at LSU, Marucci also makes wooden bats that some of the best players in professional baseball are primarily swinging, including Utley.

In fact, 17 players from the Yankees and Phillies are customers of the Marucci Bat Company in Baton Rouge, La. That list includes Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard and Pedro Feliz of the Phillies and Johnny Damon, Mark Teixeira and Robinson Cano of the Yankees.

The group ordered 82 Marucci bats for the Series.

Utley, of course, has smacked five home runs in the Series to tie Reggie Jackson's record set in 1977 with the Yankees.

And Damon is 8-for-21 for a .381 average. New York leads the best-of-seven series 3-2 and looks to win its 27th championship Wednesday night at home.

Marucci plans to watch the game after he finishes in LSU's training room.

The Tigers have devoted plenty of their attention this week to the Crimson Tide's No. 2 rushing defense and No. 4 total defense in the country. Alabama can win the SEC West and earn a berth into the SEC Championship against top-ranked Florida with a victory.

"You can see the passion in the kids' eyes and you really feel they are prepared," Marucci said. "It's exciting to see everything coming together."

Marucci feels the same excitement when watching the Series.

What began as a labor of love seven years ago in his backyard shed, six feet by nine feet, has turned into a fledgling business headquartered in a warehouse district in Baton Rouge.

Nearly 30 companies are licensed by MLB to sell bats.

Hillerich & Bradsby, which makes the Louisville Slugger brand, has put bats in the hands of players since 1884, leads the hit parade with more than 60-percent of the market. Marucci has sold 8,000 bats to professional baseball players (minor league and big league) this year and 20,000 overall, one-third more than in 2008.

A Marucci bat, from start to finish, can take up to 24 hours to make.

Marucci has avoided selling his wooden bats through large, chain retailers, instead relying on recommendations from players.

Also, the Marucci Bat company will soon launch a brand of aluminum bats under their label, featuring the Albin anti-vibration device. It will be the only bat of its kind on the market, according to Marucci.

That label means Marucci is committed to his craft.

It's no different each day when he puts on his LSU shirt.

"You feel like you are watching your own kids and you want them all to do well," Marucci said.