Page 4 March 14, 2013 Joe’s Sports Exit Sandman Animo Rolls to Southern By Adam Serrao pitchers who have thrown 1,000 or more California Soccer Crown player who has been the absolute best at his known as one of the most feared pitchersinnings in their careers. Rivera has becomeIt’s not often that one gets to witness a position play a specific sport in one’s own in baseball. With his dominant and distinct Jonathan Cervantes scored off an assist by lifetime. Babe Ruth, Wilt Chamberlain and cutter, he has learned to effortlessly strike Victor Banuelos in the 88th minute as the Aztec even Jack Nicholson for some (to name a out even the fiercest of opposing hitters. Eagles pulled off a 2-1 win over Mater Dei few) have all gained accolades as some of “A lot of people over the years have asked, Catholic High from Chula Vista on March the best to play their respective sports, but especially when I go back to Japan, ‘Who is 5. In the 28th minute, Gutierrez scored off a have all done so in generations past. Last the guy that you don’t want to face, or the pass by Martin, but Maurico Rodriguez tied Saturday, New York Yankees’ closer Mariano toughest guy to face?’” said Ichiro Suzuki, the game for the Crusaders in the 48th minute. Rivera announced that he will retire from the formerly of the Seattle Mariners. “He was LEUZINGER HOOPSTERS game of baseball after the 2013 season at the probably the guy who would come up at the FALL IN SOUTHERN age of 43, marking 19 years that the bullpen top of my list.” Other closers have had their CALIFORNIA QUARTERS pitcher will have spent in the league. Some successes too--Trevor Hoffman, Brad Lidge After beginning the CIF-Southern California argue that as a closer, Rivera hasn’t spent and Dennis Eckersley, to name a few. In fact, Regional Division III playoffs with an enough time on the field to be considered in both the ‘89 and ‘90 seasons, Eckersley impressive 75-58 win at CIF-Los Angeles City one of the game’s all-time greatest. But with had more saves than base runners allowed- Division III champion Hamilton on March 608 total saves going into this season (making -a remarkable stat, to say the least. Rivera, 6, Leuzinger High’s boys’ basketball team Rivera baseball’s all-time saves leader), 42 however, has been at the top of his game for found top seed St. Augustine too much in a postseason saves and five World Series rings a longer, more extended period of time than 65-45 loss last Saturday in San Diego. Against all with one team, it is clear that he belongs in any of the other all-time great closers and Animo Leadership’s David Esparza gets past Mater Dei Catholic Hamilton, the Olympians, who ended their elite company. Rivera announced his decision has done so on a bigger stage by dominating defender Ferdinand Estrada in last week’s Southern California season at 23-9, surged out to leads of 44-20 at to retire before the season started, allowing in the playoffs and in the World Series. His Regional Division III quarterfinal, won by the Aztec-Eagles 2-1. Animo went on to rout Sun Valley 6-1 for its first Southern halftime and 69-38 after three quarters before baseball fans everywhere an opportunity overall career body of work makes Rivera California crown last Saturday. clearing their bench and coasting to an easy to look on and appreciate greatness as the the best player at his position ever. victory. Eric Childress led Leuzinger’s balanced “Sandman” travels around the league putting Mariano Rivera’s retirement from the game By Joe Snyder scoring with 17 points. Justin Delgado added opposing batters to sleep for the last time of baseball and from the New York Yankees Animo Leadership High’s boys’ soccer team 17 points and Treyvion Anderson chipped in of his career. may just symbolize the end of an era for from Inglewood was tested by an unbeaten nine as 10 different Olympians scored. There has been a widespread feeling around the club. He brought them to championship CIF-Los Angeles City Small Schools Champion Leuzinger, which placed second behind the league that Rivera would call it quits success just one year after joining the team Sun Valley, which entered the match with a champion Redondo (also CIF-Southern Section sooner rather than later following the mishap in ‘96 and his departure from the game may perfect 25-0 record. The Aztec Eagles and Division IIA champion) in the Bay League, in Kansas City less than a year ago when just signify the passing of the torch in the the Wildcats were tied at one entering the started the CIF-Southern Section Division the closer tore his ACL shagging fly balls AL East as well. With the passing of George second half before Anthony Martin got things IIIAA playoffs as the top seed, but lost in the in the outfield before the game. Instead of Steinbrenner, the downfall of Alex Rodriguez started with a goal in the 50th minute. Then semifinals at Santa Margarita. The Eagles lost letting the injury retire him, however, Rivera and the seeming brittleness of Derek Jeter Animo was on a roll. That was the first of the championship game to Pomona Damien was intent on rehab so he could leave the nowadays, the Yankees as we used to know five second half goals for the Aztec Eagles on February 28 at the Anaheim Convention game he loves in the right way. “It’s not them seem to be all but gone. Rivera’s as they went on to rout Sun Valley 6-1 for Center Arena. too easy when you come to a decision like appearance in the back of the bullpen may their first Southern California Division III Redondo is still in the Southern California this,” Rivera said. “After this year, I will be give the Yankees a spark of hope for this championship last Saturday at Warren High Regional playoffs after home wins over retired…Now you’re hearing it from me. It’s upcoming season, but his retirement at the in Downey. Bakersfield Garces Memorial and Thousand official now.” Rivera stated that he made up end of the year will surely mark the end of The win finished Animo’s season at 27-2- Oaks last week. The Sea Hawks were seeded his mind to retire once camp opened for the a championship period. Without Mariano 1. A week earlier at Corona High, the Aztec second behind Riverside J.W. North. spring, but the 12-time all-star wanted time Rivera, there would not have been an “Evil Eagles won the CIF-Southern Section Division INGLEWOOD FALLS IN to tell the people most important to him the Empire” that ruled the American League for VI title over Rialto Carter 3-1. That was their DIVISION I QUARTERFINALS news before making anything public through a years. Without Mariano Rivera, the league second Southern Section crown and their first Inglewood High’s boys’ basketball team formal announcement. Now the time has come would have never known the look of an since 2007. saw its 2012-13 come to an end by losing in and gone for that formal announcement, but exceptional and irreplaceable pitcher who Once Animo took the lead, it pulled away the Southern California Regional Division I instead of being sad that the game is losing helped to build a kingdom right in the middle fast. It took just three minutes afterward that quarterfinals to host Mission Hills from San a legend, it is important to be grateful that of New York City. • Jesus Gutierrez scored off an assist from Diego County San Marcos 49-47 last Saturday. fans everywhere have another 162 games to Alfredo Lugo Perez for a 3-1 lead. In the 61st The Sentinels were leading by one point (38- watch him play. minute, the Aztec Eagles made it 4-1 when 37) after three periods before Mission Hills Rivera first stepped foot on a Major League Lugo Perez scored off an assist by Victor outscored them 12-9 in the fourth quarter. mound in 1995 when he was actually a starter Banuelos. Less than three minutes later, Martin In the first round on March 6, host and not a bullpen guy. In that year for the scored his second goal on a head in and then Inglewood, the playoffs’ sixth seed, downed Yankees, Rivera started 10 games, going 5-3 Arrellano completed the Aztec Eagles’ scoring Fresno Central 61-46. The Sentinels placed with a 5.94 ERA. Clearly, starting wasn’t with his second goal off of Martin’s pass in second behind Santa Monica, which is top his thing. Not many people can make the the 66th minute. seed in the Division I playoffs, in the Ocean transition from pitching to start the game “It was definitely a great season for us,” League and lost to powerful Santa Ana Mater to pitching to close the game, but Rivera Drawing Winners Animo head coach Sergio Medrano said. Dei 65-48 in the Southern Section Division did just that and did so miraculously. In “We knew they would never go down. Once IAA semifinals on February 26 at Mater Dei. just the next year, Rivera was tremendously we went ahead, they Sun Valley fell apart. The Monarchs are seeded second in the influential as the Yankees’ setup man in the Congratulations to the This was a special season for our squad. I am prestigious Open Division behind top-ranked team’s 1996 championship run--tallying a 2.09 following prize winners for the proud the way our team played.” Etiwanda, which defeated them 54-51 in ERA with 130 strikeouts in 107.2 innings of D-Fenders vs. Tulsa game on March 13: The start of the game appeared to be their IAA final on March 2 at the Anaheim relief while allowing only one home run all Grand Prize Winner dominated by the Wildcats, who had the first Convention Center Arena. Both Mater Dei season long. Rivera allowed only one run in (VIP table and seats for four, halftime four shots on goals. They failed to score, and the Vikings moved on to their regional 14.1 postseason innings that year, setting up meal and four D-Fenders fan packs) thanks to some saves by sophomore goalkeeper finals from last Tuesday. for John Wetteland to assist the Yankees in Keisha Davis Celestino Cruz. COUGARS END UP TIED winning their first championship in nearly 20 On Animo’s very first shot on goal from WITH MONROE years at the time. In 1997, he finally became First Prize (Two courtside seats to Arrellano, the ball flew into the net from Hawthorne High’s baseball team had to the team’s closer and his career was written in the game and two fan packs) about 25 yards out to give the Aztec Eagles settle for a scoreless tie with host Monroe in stone from then on. “He is the greatest closer Garry Buzzarte a 1-0 lead in the eighth minute. In the 16th nine innings in a game that ended because of of all time,” manager and former teammate Second Prize (Pair of General minute, Sun Valley tied the match on Angel darkness on March 6 in Sepulveda. Pitcher Joe Girardi said. “There is no question in Admissions tickets to the game) Flores’ goal. Mark Laffoon pitched eight scoreless innings my mind. I have had the thrill of catching Sue Shriver In the end, Animo outshot the Wildcats for the Cougars. On the same day at the him. I was really there when he burst onto 18-12 and had 27 scoring chances to 19 for Henderson Sports Complex in San Pedro, the scene and he was a dominant setup man, Sun Valley. Cruz made six saves for the Aztec Leuzinger lost to Port of Los Angeles 12-2. and then to see what he did as a closer was Enter the second drawing for three Eagles. Arrellano also had two assists. Hawthorne and the Olympians will square a thrill for me.” It was not only a thrill for chances to win prizes for D-Fenders In the semifinals at Los Angeles Harbor off at Leuzinger next Tuesday at 3:15 p.m., a Girardi, but also for Yankee fans alike as the vs. Idaho game on March 20. Entry College last Thursday, Animo defeated Pacific week after they met at Hawthorne last Tuesday. team went on to win five championships in deadline is Monday, March 18. To enter, Ridge High from Carlsbad 5-2. Jesus Gutierrez The Cougars visit North Torrance today at 13 years with Rivera bringing up the rear. please send your contact information scored two goals and added two assists for 3:15 p.m. Leuzinger hosts Lawndale today at Rivera now boasts a career ERA of 2.21, to pressrelease@heraldpublications.com the Aztec Eagles. 3:15 p.m. and Compton Dominguez Saturday giving him the second best average in history or call 310-322-1830. In the quarterfinals at Harbor College, at 11 a.m. • behind only Eddie Cicotte (2.20) amongst
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