Mike Garner - 2000 

Mike Garner, son of Kathy Teal and Chuck Garner, was born October 18, 1973.  He attended high school in Stockbridge, Georgia, where he established new school records for most home runs, most RBI, and most doubles in a season. He was selected Georgia High School “Player of the Year” for baseball during his senior season. He was also named “Most Valuable player” in both basketball and baseball for two consecutive years. 

After high school, Mike signed to play baseball at Southern Union State Community College.  After completing a successful freshman year and being named to the All Conference Team, Mike moved into what would become an outstanding sophomore year.  He became one of the nation’s leaders in home runs (18) and RBI (68) and earned his second All Conference honor.  Mike helped lead his team to the Region Championship.  He posted a .800 slugging percentage during his sophomore year and struck out only five times in 179 at bats.  He was also named to the All American First Team. 

From Southern Union, Mike signed with Jacksonville State University to further his education and his baseball career.  In 1996, he earned second team All Trans America Athletic Conference honors. He led the team in at bats (188), run (53), hits (67), doubles (22), home runs (12), slugging percentage (.686), and total bases (129).  He struck out only eleven times in 188 plate appearances and started all 51 games for Jacksonville State.  In 1997, Mike posted a .396 batting average while accomplishing team highs in hits (84), home runs (19), RBI (82), and total bases (170).  He again earned All Trans America Athletic Conference honors, this time making first team. 

Since finishing at Jacksonville State, Mike has spent several seasons in the Cape Cod league.  He is married to the former Amy Gunter of Munford and they have one son.