TORRANCE TRIBUNE July 18, 2013 Page 5 Puig is the Reason Up and Adam and how to bang them By Adam Serrao answered concisely, “Puig.” His ability to hit by Under-the-Radar SportsChef Shafer Dodgers all season long. What was supposed an intense energy has turned empty seats Recognize All-Starsthe ball, run the bases and play defense withInjuries have been plaguing the Los Angeles to be a dynamic lineup has been whittled at Dodger Stadium into ones with warm down to a shell of itself, leaving the “Boys bodies, waiting for their last chance to see By Adam Serrao of 16 as a singles player for the Tartars--a in Blue” looking more black and blue than the right-fielder step to the plate. Though most major high school sports lofty achievement for one year of play, let anything. Then along came Yasiel Puig. The All of the praise doesn’t come without have taken a break for the summer, certain alone two. Lee, whose overall record now 22-year-old Cuban defector who completed at least some criticism, though. Recently, athletes from around the city have left their stands at 48-30, will certainly be back again a treacherous trek across the ocean on a life Arizona Diamondbacks’ catcher Miguel legacy behind to give us all the chance to to compete next season on his way to making raft to eventually wind up in Mexico has now Montero criticized Puig’s on-field demeanor, look back on the year in sports that was and a clean sweep as Pioneer League singles wound up as a household name in virtually saying that he does “stupid things.” Monteiro appreciate a job well-done. Not much noise champion in all four years at Torrance. every home in Los Angeles. A mere six noted, “If he’s my teammate, I’m probably is made on a yearly basis in sports such as Jake Ly, a senior from South High, also weeks into his professional baseball career, trying to help him not be hated in the major tennis, track and field, and golf, yet there are played extraordinarily well this past season the breakout Dodgers’ star has not only set leagues. That’s where he’s going right now- still athletes who excel at their games and to earn himself All-Area second team honors. hitting records, showed off speed, displayed -creating a bad reputation throughout the do their part to make a name for themselves. Ly was a Pioneer League singles finalist and an amazing arm and created hysteria amongst league.” Whether it’s leading their team to the playoffs, went on to compete in singles play at the CIF a desperate fan market in L.A., but he has Montero’s criticism came on the heels of earning a new personal record, or breaking Southern Section Individuals. In his second helped turn around an organization. Down in a night when Puig blew off a sign from a previously existing record, these athletes year with the tennis club at South, Jake was the basement of the National League West to third base coach Tim Wallach and came have excelled at their craft enough to earn a major reason why the Spartans won the now within just games of first place, Yasiel barreling into the Arizona catcher without All-Star accreditation. This week, we’ll Pioneer League title this year in tennis. With Puig is the reason that the Dodgers are off a slide, knocking his face mask off and take a look at some of those sports and the Lee and Ly both being sophomores, it looks and running. sending him stumbling towards the field. athletes who have broken barriers to make like Torrance is set up to see a good rivalry He may have not been voted into the All- Nicknamed the “Wild Horse” by Dodgers’ names for themselves. between the two young, budding stars for Star game, but Puig’s numbers in just a short broadcaster Vin Scully, that’s just how Puig This year like many that have passed, boys’ many years to come. amount of time in the big leagues certainly plays. Other teams may not like it, but it’s track and field was dominated by the guys Lastly, the sport of golf is becoming more resemble those of any All-Star who will be what works for him and the Dodgers. “That’s from Serra High School. Not only was the and more popular in Torrance, evidenced by playing in the game this year. In just 37 games my game,” Puig said in response to Montero. top athlete in track and field from Serra, but the number of players from the city’s schools dating back to last Sunday, Puig is batting .392 “I’m going to play my baseball the way I the Coach of the Year came from the school who are standing out as top performers. One with eight home runs and 19 RBIs. Perhaps play. We don’t like the way Gerardo Parra too. In addition to the accolades that those of those players is William Chae of West High. more than that, though, his energy is what has plays or the way Montero plays, but we two collected, six other Serra boys’ athletes Chae took home the Bay League Finals title turned the club around. “He kind of reminds don’t go to the press or anybody and talk garnered acknowledgment as All-Area first or at Griffith Park by accumulating a score of me of myself,” said Dodgers centerfielder, about how we don’t like it because we’re second team members this year while South, four-under-par 140 in his two-day tournament Matt Kemp. “Sometimes he plays too hard more reserved.” North, West and Torrance high schools were play. Chae was then able to advance to the and sometimes you have to tell him, ‘Man, The Dodgers’ rivalry with the Diamondbacks all held mysteriously off of the list. CIF Southern Section Individual Finals. calm down. You can’t make every play.’ But was enlivened five weeks ago when Puig was One athlete on the girls’ side of the track Sophomore Josh Molchan from Torrance he’s done an amazing job in his first month drilled in the face by a pitch from Arizona did her part to get on the list and gain High also had a strong season by recording in the big leagues. He’s gotten big hits and pitcher Ian Kennedy. Perhaps the on-field All-Area second-team acknowledgement. a 37.9 league scoring average en route to made big plays on defense. He’s doing a lot demeanor was to blame then and may get Sophomore Kimberly Coscia from South second place in the league standings. Molchan and I think we’re just feeding off the kid.” the young rookie into more trouble in the High is a young, yet growing star who has qualified for the CIF Northern Individual Feeding off of him is right. Since that dreary future. No matter what side of the fence you the potential to be one of the state’s best Final on his way to being named a first-team day when the Dodgers trailed every other sit on, however, it’s clear that Puig’s attitude someday. This year, Coscia placed in seventh All-Ocean league pick. National League West opponent by at least is certainly bringing the game of baseball at the CIF State Finals in the 3,200 meters The South High Spartans were the real three games in the standings, the Dodgers much more attention. with a time of 10:28.95. That wasn’t her only winners of this year’s golf season, placing have turned things around and won 17 of For Puig, as long as he remains healthy, the rewarding experience as a runner, though. She three different golfers on the All-Area their last 22 games heading into the All-Star accolades will continue to roll in. In addition also took over at the CIF Southern Section list. Gordon Hundley, Robin Kang and Tai break to emerge as not only the class of the to his outstanding hitting, Puig has already Division II Finals and won the title in the Kuida all helped the Spartans earn a share National League West, but perhaps of the been honored with the Rookie of the Month 3,200 meters with a time of 10:39.36. Still of the Bay League title for the third time entire National League. When asked what and Player of the Month awards for June. improving as a runner, Coscia also takes part in just four seasons. Hundley advanced to the difference in the Dodgers’ early and late When asked how he feels about re-energizing in the mile and 1,600 meters. With another the CIF Individual Regionals and posted a season standings has been, even Kemp himself See Sports, page 6 year of experience under her belt, she should scoring average of 37.311. Kang’s scoring find herself right back on the list once again average was a bit lower with a 35.956 to gain OPEN YOUR HEART, next year. first-team all-league honors and he nearly OPEN YOUR HOME Tennis is yet another sport that doesn’t qualified for the CIF State Finals, missing the Alliance Human Services provides foster homes for get much attention in Torrance, but Anthony cut by only two strokes. Kuida advanced toLic. # 197806287 children ages 0-22, who are in need of a stable, nurturing home in order to thrive. Lee of Torrance High has been putting on the CIF Southern Section Individual Finals, Alliance offers: quite a show as of late and deserves a little posting a scoring average of 37.978 to round • Knowledgeable & supportive staff • Free background checks, skills development, & CPR/1st aid bit of credit for it. Lee, only a sophomore out the group of players from South who • Networking with other dedicated foster parents • Competitive reimbursement at Torrance High, repeated as the Pioneer made their year successful. Unless you’re • Paid respite League’s singles champion for the second year Tiger Woods, golf doesn’t get very much • 24 hr. on-call support in a row to make the All-Area first team list recognition--but these players have all done Be the change in a child’s life. Call us now this year. With a record of 36-2, he reached their part to deserve a nod as some of the 310-792-8920 the CIF Southern Section Individuals Round city’s finest. • Harry’s & HAS A LACK OF CUSTOMERS McCoy’s Moving GOT YOUR GOAT? Advertise! 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Torrance 07_18_13
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