Rob Merkle walks off a winner at Oakland University
by Lee Thompson | The Bay City Times
Monday May 18, 2009, 9:06AM
The mob scene, the gang pile, the mass celebration.
Rob Merkle knew it was all coming.
With his Oakland University teammates awaiting him at home plate to raucously celebrate the first walk-off home run of his life, Merkle's time had come. Born and raised on baseball, Merkle had officially become a full-grown slugger. "I didn't hit a home run until high school," he said. "I hit the fence once in Pony League and I thought that was the closest I was ever going to get."
The skinny little, sweet-swinging contact hitter who helped Bay City Central to the 2004 district crown now stands 6-foot-1, 195 pounds - and packs a punch. He wrapped up his collegiate career with Oakland this weekend, stroking his seventh home run of the year and 13th in the past three seasons. Included among his round-trippers was every slugger's dream, the walk-off home run he blasted in the bottom of the ninth to give Oakland a 1-0 victory over Eastern Michigan University.
"We had the whole mob thing at home," Merkle said. "I've seen it happen on TV, but I never thought it would happen for me. You get the chills running around the bases knowing the whole team is ready to jump on you."
Merkle, a two-year everyday starter at the Division I level for the Grizzlies, didn't surprise local baseball fans with his success. The son of Kelly and Tom Merkle, the former professional ballplayer and longtime local coach, Rob grew up around the game and seemed destined to shine.
"Baseball has been part of my life since I was born," Rob said. "My dad was coaching and I was always the bat boy, wearing the little jersey and running around the bases."
Merkle was a tough out as a gap hitter from his days at Northwest Little League to Bay County Pony and Colt League to Bay City Central, where he helped the Wolves to a Saginaw Valley League title in 2003.
But the left-handed hitter was never known for his power - until he bulked up with 30 extra pounds since his three-sport days at Central. "I was always a little skinny guy in high school, but I guess I got some big-guy gene from my dad after all," he said. "Once I started lifting (in college), the size came quick. I just wish I had some of that bulk for hockey in high school." The combination of size and skill has treated him - and the Oakland lineup - quite well.
A part-time starter his first two seasons at Oakland, he started 42 games a year ago and batted .325 with 13 doubles, three home runs and 25 RBIs. As a senior, he more than doubled his home run numbers while hitting .265 with 36 RBIs while making the move from second to third base.
Along the way, Merkle helped Oakland to a rare victory over Oral Roberts University, the school's first win ever over Notre Dame and the program's second-most victories with a 22-win season. He also added his second academic all-district honor, sporting a 3.7 GPA while completing his degree in mechanical engineering in April.
"He's the ideal Division I student-athlete," OU coach John Musachio said. "He's had a tremendous career on the field, he's been tremendous academically and he's been very involved in our community service. "He strives for excellence in everything he does. And if Oakland University can continue to recruit players with the character of Rob Merkle, we'll be in good shape."