Two familiar faces in Oxford have been called up to compete at the highest level in professional baseball.
Former Ole Miss baseball captain Tim Elko, after showing out offensively in the minor leagues, earned an opportunity to showcase his talents for the Chicago White Sox. Though the Rebel national champion was hitless in his major league debut on Saturday, it did not take long for Elko to punish a baseball.
On Sunday, Elko recorded his first MLB hit, and it was one for the books. The author of the moniker, “Don’t let the Rebs get hot,” ahead of Ole Miss’s title run in 2022, could not resist showing fans in the Windy City what he was known for in college. In the bottom of the sixth inning, Elko knocked a no-doubter over the left field wall to break a 1-1 tie and ultimately lead Chicago to a 4-2 win over the Miami Marlins.
After the contest, the former Rebel delivered the perfect Mother’s Day gift to his mom. Elko was able to retrieve his home run ball and present it, along with his bat, to his mother.
First career hit ✅
First career home run ✅
Welcome to The Show, Tim Elko! pic.twitter.com/I9w0M7bRPv
— MLB (@MLB) May 11, 2025
Joining Elko in being called up to The Show is left-handed hurler Ryan Rolison. The Colorado Rockies on Sunday, just before firing head manager Bud Black amid a league-worst 7-33 record, brought Rolison up from the club’s farm system. The southpaw has led a strong showing with the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes this season, where he has amassed a 3-1 record, 3.72 ERA, and 23 strikeouts in 12 appearances.
Rolison, one of Mike Bianco’s most prolific pitchers at Ole Miss, did not appear in the Rockies’ 9-3 win over the San Diego Padres on Sunday. However, interim frontman Warren Schaeffer could very well send the former SEC champion out to the hill in the near future.
Another Reb has been called up to The Show! Best of luck to @RyanRolison24 as he joins the @Rockies! pic.twitter.com/pwBendpGlj
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) May 11, 2025
Other former Rebels who have made MLB debuts in recent weeks are pitchers Doug Nikhazy (Cleveland Guardians) and Gunnar Hoglund (Athletics). Former Mississippi State standout Jake Mangum (Tampa Bay Rays) also got his first cup of coffee in the major leagues this year.
