Garrett Atkins Garrett and I were high school teammates at University. Not only was he a great player, but also a great student. His parents were an engineer and a middle school assistant principal. I remember in summer he wasn't allowed to do anything until he finished his homework given to him by his parents. Garrett is a great guy who has worked very hard to get to where he is now.

Bobby Crosby Bobby Crosby was a great high school player under Dave Demorist at La Quinta. He was on the same team with Laird and together they won CIF championships. However, he didn't go straight to pro ball. He went to a JC and then to Long Beach State before being signed by the A's.

Craig Wilson Craig Wilson went to Marina High School and I played against him in my first varsity game. I remember him back picking me at second when he was catching. I took my secondary and looked to my left with the second basemen having the ball. I was impressed.

Alex Rodriguez Okay, I didn't play against him but I saw him play when I was either a freshman or sophmore. He came to play in an Upper Deck Tournament and watching they guy play was unreal. He took pregame on the edge of the grass and had a absolute hose at short. Some scouts said he could throw 90 from the short stop position to first base. I hope his first baseman had tight laces... Anyway, he was drafted and went straight to the big leagues. One day he was a high school player and the next he was a major leaguer. He was amazing to watch in high school.

Eric Valent He and Troy Glaus were high school teammates at Canyon High School in Anaheim. That was a difficult infield to the ball through. They went on to play together at UCLA.

Gerald Laird We both went to Mike Mayne for catching but it was obvious who was the guy with the talent. Yeah, it wasn't me. He could run like the wind and it seemed he could do anything he wanted on the baseball field. The thing I am most impressed with is how he gives back. He still comes back to La Quinta to help out in the off season and works with the kids.

Nick Punto Punto went to Trabuco Hills High School before going on the Saddleback JC. He was always solid in high school but really took off in college. He is one of those guys who really took advantage of playing in college.

Jeff Francis The guy struck me out four times in college with some of the filthiest stuff I had ever seen from a lefty. I was not the only guy to get the golden sombrero that night in Canada but when he was finished, about a third of the people in the stands stood up and left. They were all the scouts that were there for one reason... him. However, from his little NAIA team I think 2 or 3 other guys got drafted. That shows you how hard you need to work even if you are not the guy they are really looking at. You never know who's attention you might catch.