‘I just kind of black out’ —Former Tennessee slugger Andrew Fischer goes viral for home run and celebration in Italy’s WBC win
The VFL played a key role in Italy’s win on Sunday.
Tennessee has had some wild players on their rosters in recent season, and the player who’s received the most attention is Drew Gilbert. Given his wild antics on and off the field during his time in Knoxville and his unforgettable energetic celebrations on the field, he’s a player no Vol fan will soon forget.
However, last year Andrew Fischer proved he’s cut from that exact same cloth. The Ole Miss transfer came to Tennessee and had an incredible season, earning first-team All-American honors from a number of major outlets. He led the SEC in home runs with 25 and tied the program record for walks with 63.
Fischer was drafted in the first round of the 2025 MLB Draft by the Milwaukee Brewers, and while spring training is going on, so is the World Baseball Classic, and Fischer just so happens to be on Team Italy by virtue of Italian lineage on his mother’s side of the family.
And Fischer put the world on notice of his bat — and his wild celebrations — on Sunday against Great Britain. He clubbed a solo home run, and the ensuing dugout celebration with an espresso ended up going viral.
Andrew Fischer went 2-4 with a home run in Italy’s 7-4 win over Great Britain in World Baseball Classic
“I don’t even know, to be honest,” Fischer said. “When I’m out there, I just kind of black out. I do whatever feels natural, feels right. Like you said, I’m super energetic. This group, they’ve mad me feel so comfortable just from the first day. So, that’s what’s special about this team is the bond we have, and I feel like I could be myself.”
As far as the espresso shot in the dugout, Fischer admitted that was a new thing for me.
“No, that’s definitely new. Hey, but I dig it, right? Whatever makes the wheels turn for this team.”
Fischer’s energy was most memorably on display against Wake Forest in the Knoxville regional last season when he fired up the Tennessee crowd and irked Demon Deacons manager Tom Walter in the process. Fischer would go on to club a home run that at bat and joyously run around the bases.
We can only imagine the celebrations that will ensue from Fischer if Team Italy makes a deep run in the WBC.
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