SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Carson Fulmer was one of the many former Commodores to come visit with the Vanderbilt baseball program this weekend in Arizona.
Why?
“It’s a family,” he said Saturday before Vandy faced UConn in the MLB4 Tournament at Salt River Fields. “It’s something that means a lot to us. This is where I grew as a baseball player. Even the guys here now, guys in the past, we’re one big family. We’re always here for each other.
“Having the leadership with Corbs (Vanderbilt head coach Tim Corbin) being here and with all the people that run this. It’s just a special place. It’s definitely a place that’s really special to all of us.”
Fulmer helped lead Vanderbilt to its first national championship in 2014. Now starting his fifth season with the Chicago White Sox (who have a spring training home 45 minutes away in Glendale, Arizona), Fulmer watched with tremendous pride in June when the Commodores beat Michigan for the 2019 national championship in Omaha, Nebraska, at the College World Series.
In many ways his 2014 teammates set the standard for which the 2019 squad reached once again.
“Oh it was amazing,” Fulmer said. “Obviously brought back some memories. When you see your school and a place you’ve had so many good memories and experiences at do it, it’s pretty special.”
While Fulmer was at Saturday’s game (along with Cincinnati pitcher Sonny Gray) and planning to watch the Dores play UConn for at least a few innings, a large group of former Vanderbilt student-athletes were scheduled to be in attendance during Friday’s season-opener between Vandy and Michigan.
Among that group were Tyler Beede, Curt Casali, Ryan Flaherty, Tony Kemp, Jeren Kendall, David Price and Walker Buehler. Buehler also stopped by the Commodores last preseason practice Thursday.
Corbin jokingly shouted at Buehler during one hard-hitting batting practice that his team was hitting the ball all over the yard the way opponents used to hit Buehler during his time in Nashville.
“It’s just a cool part of our lives,” Buehler said of his career as a Commodore and still representing Vanderbilt. “All of us who have moved through it and been a part of that program have a lot of pride of it.”
Beginning his fourth season with the Los Angeles Dodgers (who also hold spring training in Glendale), Buehler was also on the ’14 national title team. He’s coming off his first National League All-Star appearance and will be joined on the Dodgers’ 2020 roster by Price.
Having two former Commodores on one MLB roster is no longer rare. And for those that have matriculated through West End and into professional baseball it’s becoming increasingly common to look across the field and see a familiar face in the opposing dugout.
That’s all because of the success of the Vanderbilt baseball family.
“When you got to a city that has a former alum, it’s always a good time to get together. We always try to say hello to each other regardless of the situation,” Fulmer said. “It’s a bond that we never really let go of. The Star V will always be close to my heart especially and I’m just very thankful that I had the opportunity to play here – and win.”
Chad Bishop covers Vanderbilt for VUCommodores.com. Follow him @MrChadBishop.
