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Baseball Nathanial Barbee, VMI Athletic Communications

Former Keydets coach reaches World Series with New York Yankees

LEXINGTON, Va. – Baseball fans across the world will see a familiar face to VMI Baseball in this year’s Fall Classic. Casey Dykes will represent the Keydets in the dugout, serving as the New York Yankees assistant hitting coach.

Dykes, a former VMI Baseball assistant coach, works day in and day out with the players in the cages, game planning, and everything hitting. Dykes can be seen inside the Yankees’ dugout wearing the classic pinstripes, working with top players and former MVPs like Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton. This week, a dream is soon to become a reality for Dykes as the Yankees face the National League Champion Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series.

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Dykes seen with current Yankees stars, Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton. (Photo Courtesy of the New York Yankees)
I don’t know if it’s really hit me yet. When we’re standing on the line in Dodger Stadium, getting ready for Game 1, I’m sure it’ll hit me then. Right now, I am excited for the opportunity and the challenge and pumped for our guys. Just really happy for all the people involved to get this opportunity. It’s well deserved and earned...we’ve been challenged along the way, so I’m excited for the opportunity to go do this.
Casey Dykes

Dykes started his coaching career at his alma mater, Western Kentucky, as a graduate assistant before moving up to Lexington, Virginia for his first full-time coaching gig as VMI’s assistant coach and recruiting coordinator from 2015-18 under former head coach Jonathan Hadra, a connection that grew during his days at WKU.

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Casey Dykes as a VMI coach during an umpires meeting against South Carolina.

After his four-season stint with the Keydets, Dykes took a job as an assistant with the 2019 Big Ten Champion Indiana Hoosiers. From there, Dykes answered the phone from the New York Yankees, asking to become their next minor league coach. It was not something Dykes had on his mind at the time, but after speaking with his family, he could not pass up the opportunity.

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Casey Dykes celebrating the ALCS win in Cleveland with his family.

After accepting the job with the Yankees' organization, Dykes would move up the farm system where in 2021 he would get the call up to the majors, earning a role as a hitting coach for one of America’s most coveted sports franchises.

Before the big leagues, VMI was Dykes' temporary home where he helped the Keydets earn four straight 20-win seasons and coach a plethora of talent including six MLB draftees. Even after his departure, he still believes that there is a true reason to come to VMI and pursue a collegiate baseball career.

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Casey Dykes (right) with current VMI Baseball Assistant Coach and former player Ryan Smoot (left).
I think VMI is unique, it sets you apart because of the type of school it is and the type of education you get there. I think it challenges you from a baseball standpoint because you have to love it and be committed to it. I think it challenges you in a way that is different and if you love the game and love to work and you want to be a part of something special, VMI can do that.
Casey Dykes
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New York Yankees team photo after clinching the AL East. (Photo Courtesy of the New York Yankees)
You get to really find out ‘How bad do I want this?’. If you are in it to work, be a better ball player, and become the best version of yourself as an athlete, as a person, as a student, and as a professional, VMI can do that for you. It allows people to go and excel, not only on the baseball field but in life once baseball is finished.
Casey Dykes

Even during his days in a major league clubhouse, Dykes continues to look back at his time in the 504.

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Casey Dykes (right) with current VMI Baseball Head Coach Sam Roberts (left).
I’ve been a part of a lot of different clubhouses and different teams at pretty much every level. The closeness, the comradery, and the unity that I felt while being at VMI is unmatched. I think it’s because of the structure and culture of the school. I saw the impact it had on our teams and the individuals and I still to this day keep up with more people at VMI than I do anywhere else.
Casey Dykes

One year before Dykes began his VMI journey, Reed Garrett tossed the Keydets latest no-hitter. Garrett, who was drafted in 2014, has made a name for himself this season with the New York Mets. Garrett would go on to pitch in this year’s NLCS and was inches away from facing Dykes in the World Series. In his outing against the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLDS, Garrett became the first VMI athlete to appear in a postseason baseball game.

Dodgers and Yankees will begin a seven-game series Friday to crown a new world champion. Dykes will soon be ready to coach his squad to a World Series title, a feat New York has been begging for since 2009.

For more information, visit VMIKeydets.com or follow us on social media at VMI Athletics.