The Grambling State University baseball team will be losing a valuable member in May, when senior Anthony Clifton will cross the stage at graduation. The 5’8”, 175 pound outfielder from Alexandria has been an integral part of the team throughout his collegiate career.
Clifton remained among the team leaders in both hits and stolen bases. This season the team hit a rough patch, but Clifton is confident that they are turning the corner, after dealing Jarvis Christian College two crushing defeats in Saturday’s doubleheader.
The Gramblinite caught up with Clifton to discuss his interests away from the field, plans for the future, and love of the game.
Q: How long have you been playing baseball?
A: I’ve been playing since I was 6 years old.
Q: What drew you to the game?
A: I like playing sports. I started out playing football, basketball and baseball, and I just grew to love baseball more than any other sports.
Q: What has been your biggest accomplishment so far?
A: I would have to say my biggest accomplishment is being able to pledge and play baseball. I crossed Omega in ’08. It was hard to become part of a prestigious fraternity and play at the same time.
Q: What has been your biggest challenge?
A: Overcoming adversity, because people don’t believe that we can do it. All we have is each other and our coaches.
Q: What has been your most memorable game to date?
A: Last year, we played Texas Southern at home, and I hit a walk-off home run.
Q: What are you majoring in?
A: Criminal Justice.
Q: What are your plans for the future?
A: To go to grad school and get my master’s in criminal justice as well. I want to be a special agent or federal agent. I wouldn’t mind giving back my knowledge of the game of baseball to children in the community.
You know, I wouldn’t mind coaching a Little League team. I don’t want to coach high school or junior high or anything like that. I just want to coach a recreational league or something.
Q: What activities do you enjoy away from the field?
A: Playing the game (system), watching Law and Order, just relaxing and chilling with my frat brothers.
Q: What will you miss about Grambling?
A: Playing baseball (laughs). Playing baseball. Really.
Q: Who is your favorite Major League Baseball player and why?
A: Ken Griffey Jr., because he plays the same position that I play and he was just a Black male that I looked up to. He was so young when he made it to the major leagues and he had a successful career. So I really look up to him. He’s still my role model.
See if Anthony Clifton and the rest of the Grambling Tigers can continue their hot streak on March 13, when they take on Alabama State University at the GSU Baseball Complex at 1 p.m.