Andover’s Yastrzemski chooses Vanderbilt

Shoot, back in ‘67...Yaz could have chosen Wrangler Jane if he wanted to.

“It’s down south, which is what I wanted, so I could play ball almost all year,” the 18-year-old outfield prospect from St. John’s Prep said.

The grandson of Red Sox Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski didn’t waste much time in joining the baseball ranks of the Southeast Conference by choosing the Commodores. He gave Vanderbilt baseball coach Tim Corbin a verbal commitment on his Sept. 4-6 visit and signed with the school last week.

...Yes, his famed grandfather Carl Yastrzemski was involved in the choice. He’s back working with his grandson most every Sunday as he recovers from triple bypass surgery.

“He had a lot of contacts and made calls for me, looking for the best academic-athletic situation,” said Mike Yastrzemski. “My mom (Ann-Marie) was a big part of it, too. We had an advisor, Jack Toffey of Boston. He was a friend of my dad.”