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February 19, 2013

Western Front

San Diego High School Baseball at the Turn of the Millennium

The local SABR chapter held a garage sale on Saturday, and I couldn't resist. I bought an old-school Padres cap and an Oklahoma City RedHawks cap for myself. (I'd stopped to see a RedHawks game while driving from San Diego to Cooperstown for Tony Gwynn's Hall of Fame induction in 2007.) I bought a Fresno Grizzlies cap for my wife. She likes bears.

I reminded her that the Grizzlies are a Giants affiliate. She still likes bears.

I also picked up two books. One was John Thorn and Pete Palmer's The Hidden Game of Baseball, which I'm embarrassed to say I've never read.

The other was the San Diego County Baseball High School Guide 2000, which I'm less embarrassed at not having read on account of never having heard of it before the garage sale. (My wife found it, which makes her wearing Giants-affiliated paraphernalia more, uh, bearable.) It's a fascinating read, featuring players to watch, team rosters for the upcoming season, and seasonal and career records.

Plus the cover could be a Godzilla movie poster.

Among the players to watch were several 2000 first-round draft picks: RHP Matt Wheatland, taken eighth overall by the Tigers; second baseman Shaun Boyd (13^th, Cardinals); catcher Scott Heard (25^th, Rangers).

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15 comments have been left for this article.

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ttt

You drove from San Diego to Cooperstown? #80want

Feb 19, 2013 06:31 AM

rating: 3

Geoff Young

BP staff

I wouldn't have missed it for anything... one of the coolest experiences I've ever had in life.

Feb 19, 2013 12:12 PM

wonkothesane1

I think Hamels missed that season with a broken arm. I know he missed one season that way. I went to Rancho Bernardo High and didn't even know who he was until he burst onto the scene following the injury. Saw him pitch a few times in high school. Unhittable.

Feb 19, 2013 11:08 AM

rating: 0

wonkothesane1

I know that the "HRs, season" record has been beat a few times. Most memorable for me was Danny Putnam, who also went to Rancho Bernardo High School before playing the OF at Stanford with Carlos Quentin and becoming a supplemental 1st round pick by the Athletics.

I remember it getting beat again the next year. Although, I can't recall the name. He was a big first baseman.

Feb 19, 2013 11:12 AM

rating: 0

Geoff Young

BP staff

Thanks for all the additional information. I don't have the book handy right now, but I believe Putnam is at least listed on the Rancho Bernardo roster.

Feb 19, 2013 12:14 PM

wonkothesane1

To give another idea about how much the Home Run records have changed. I don't know who the current record holder for career Home Runs is, but Rancho Bernardo's John Drennen became the San Diego and California record holder in 2005 with 47. A lot more than Graham Koonce's 31.

Feb 19, 2013 11:18 AM

rating: 0

AvengingJM

And I believe Jaime Jones (also from RB 92-95)is up near the top as well. I was at the game where Putnam set the record at the time. I believe he hit 2 that day, 1 to tie, and 1 to break the record.

Time does play tricks, though.

Feb 19, 2013 12:13 PM

rating: 0

wonkothesane1

That sounds correct about Putnam. I honestly can't recall if I was there or not. I've probably read about it a few times since his dad is my GP and there are articles about Danny on the walls of the rooms.

I was still in Junior High when Jaime Jones was playing.

Feb 19, 2013 12:50 PM

rating: 0

Bryant

Great stuff, Geoff. I'm curious, though - any mention of Santa Fe Christian's Chad Corona?

Feb 19, 2013 11:20 AM

rating: 0

Geoff Young

BP staff

Thanks, Bryant. I'll double-check when I have a chance, but I'm pretty sure Corona is in the book. I recognized the name from watching him at SDSU.

Feb 19, 2013 12:16 PM

Geoff Young

BP staff

Corona is in there: Hit .492 with 9 HR, named Coastal League Player of the Year, second team CIF, U-T all-county, etc.

Feb 20, 2013 05:21 AM

Schlom

I thought Tony Clark from Valhalla/Calvin Christian had one of the HR records?

Feb 19, 2013 13:30 PM

rating: 0

Geoff Young

BP staff

I'd expected to see Clark's name in the book, Schlom, but it is nowhere to be found.

Feb 20, 2013 05:22 AM

Travis Leleu

Ha, this gave me a laugh. I played HS ball in SD during the 2000 season against a bunch of these guys. (While we didn't have any future MLB players, we did have a lefty phenom who played MiLB ball for a number of years. And we did win the CIF championship despite not having any elite talent.)

FWIW, I played with Adrian Gonzalez on a traveling team that summer. Even though he had been taken as the #1 pick in the draft, he was one of the nicer guys I've played ball with.

Feb 19, 2013 14:22 PM

rating: 2

Geoff Young

BP staff

Travis, that's awesome; thanks for the info. And I found you in the book!

Feb 20, 2013 05:27 AM

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<< Previous Article

Fantasy Beat: Budget A... (02/19)

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