The Final 9

By Charles Odum, AP Sports Writer

GRIFFIN, Ga. — Tim Beckham had his head down as commissioner Bud Selig announced the top pick of the Major League Baseball draft, and then the Griffin High School shortstop was engulfed in a circle of bear hugs from his family.
Thursday's televised announcement was only a formality. Beckham already had a Tampa Bay Rays No. 1 jersey, complete with his name, on the back of his chair. He put on the jersey and a Rays cap as a room full of friends and relatives continued to cheer.

"I found out this morning when they gave me a call," Beckham said. "It was crazy. I was about to do a back flip in my room."

Beckham became the first player from a Georgia school to be selected No. 1 since Mike Ivie was picked from Atlanta's old Walker High School in 1970.

With the status of being the No. 1 pick comes high expectations, which Beckham eagerly embraced.

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