Sikeston closely following native's career with L.A. Dodgers

SIKESTON, Mo. — As local fans joined Sikeston native Blake DeWitt's journey through his rookie year of major league baseball, many found themselves swapping Cardinals red for Dodgers blue by season's end.

Sikeston High School principal Tom Williams said students have been donning Dodgers apparel and discussing DeWitt's playing time, especially since postseason play began earlier this month.

"Kids are always talking about it, as well as the adults," Williams said.

Williams said he's also noticed more computer screensavers switching from displaying the St. Louis Cardinals logo to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

On Oct. 1, the same night that Neal E. Boyd won "America's Got Talent," DeWitt played in the National League Division Series. "That was exciting for Sikeston, and everybody was proud," Williams said.

Since DeWitt, a 2004 Sikeston High School graduate, made his big league debut as No. 33 for the Dodgers on the season's opening day last spring, fans have rallied behind him. He began the season playing third base for the Dodgers after the top three projected third basemen were injured in spring training.

In late July, DeWitt was optioned down to the Dodgers AAA minor league team in Las Vegas after the team acquired a third baseman from the Cleveland Indians. About a month later, DeWitt was recalled to Los Angeles to start at second base after the regular starter was sidelined.

DeWitt finished the regular season with a batting average of .264, nine home runs, 52 runs batted in and three stolen bases. For the past two weeks of the postseason, DeWitt has started at second base.

On Wednesday, Los Angeles lost 5-1 to the Philadelphia Phillies and was eliminated from the NL championship series.

The demand to keep up with DeWitt and the Dodgers was so big, Sikeston's 1520 KRHW-AM radio station became part of the Dodgers Radio Network.

"The people in the community have rallied behind him, and many people have called the station saying they're thankful we're broadcasting the games," said C.J. Cruze, program director for 1520 KRHW-AM. "It's been well received, and as long as Blake is with the Dodgers, then we will broadcast the games."

Bonnie Adams, men's and boys' clothing department manager at the Sikeston Wal-Mart, said the store has been selling DeWitt No. 33 Dodgers T-shirts since July.

Marquee signs bearing messages of congratulations and wishing luck to DeWitt are also displayed throughout Sikeston.

"We, the city council, and the whole town is just ecstatic," Sikeston Mayor Mike Marshall said. "All the businesses that you go in, all they talk about is Blake DeWitt or Neal Boyd."

The two "have had a great year, but both have many great years ahead of them," Marshall said. "What's also neat is neither have forgotten where they came from and are proud of it."

Wanda Throop taught DeWitt when he was a senior in her biology class at Sikeston High School.

"He was the epitome of an all-around student and athlete," Throop said. "He was very respectful, hardworking and very focused. It could not have happened to a nicer kid."

Despite all of his success, DeWitt never showed any arrogance, Throop said, adding he was well-liked by other students.

"Blake is a very good role model," Throop said. "He always had the athletic ability, but Blake was one of those who took what he had and kept working on it and making it better and better."