CAUGHT IN THE LINEAGE SANCHEZ KEEPS TRADITION ALIVE AT KENNEDY.

Byline: HEATHER GRIPP

Staff Writer

Mike Sanchez knew what he was getting into and didn't want to be the one to end the legacy.

Sanchez can rest assured he hasn't tarnished the Kennedy High of Granada Hills baseball team's reputation for churning out top-notch catchers.

With his four-year varsity career winding down, Sanchez will go down as the latest in a string of All-City Cougar catchers that ranges from former major leaguers Phil Lombardi and Darryl Cias in the 1970s and '80s to David Bourne and Kevin Serr in the '90s to current minor leaguer Phil Avlas, who graduated in 2001.

"We have a long line of All-City catchers and he's carrying on the tradition," Kennedy coach Manny Alvarado said of Sanchez. "He's a defensive gem.

"He's a team leader on and off the field. He's a smart kid. He's been great for us."

Sanchez is batting .372 with 10 extra-base hits and 25 RBIs for the defending City Section champions, but he is best known for his work behind the plate.

"I take a lot of pride in my defense, in throwing runners out, doing my part to make sure the team wins," Sanchez said.

Alvarado and Sanchez meet before games to review opposing hitters and Kennedy's pitcher of the day. Sanchez is then trusted to call pitches with some input from the coaches during games.

He's been honing his catching skills since he was 10years old.

"They stuck me there," said Sanchez, who previously put his strong arm to use as a pitcher and shortstop. "It felt natural back there. I've been there ever since."

At 5-foot-8, he is smaller than even his sophomore brother Matt, a Kennedy infielder, but Sanchez has never considered his size a disadvantage. He draws inspiration from his hero Ivan Rodriguez, the Detroit Tigers catcher who isn't much taller.

"That's who I try to be like," Sanchez said. "Him and Phil Avlas have been my role models. ... I used to watch Phil and he's proof that a kid from Kennedy can make it."

Sanchez is undecided on his plans beyond high school, but he hopes they involve baseball.

His focus now is on helping the Cougars (22-6) repeat as City champs.

Kennedy has won its past 12 games and can clinch at least a share of the Valley Mission League title Monday when the Cougars host Reseda.

Kennedy is averaging nearly 14 runs a game during the past 10 games, but just as encouraging is the performance of Sanchez's first-year batterymates.

Senior left-hander Nick Cerritos (9-1, 1.21 ERA) and senior right-hander David Quezada (8-2, 1.26 ERA) have successfully filled the void left by the graduation of last year's All-City pitchers Fabian Williamson and Jacob Miranda.

"I think we have a good chance," Sanchez said. "We're on a roll. We're hitting everything, our pitching's good, the defense, it's solid, so I like our chances.

"My goal for this year, more than personal stats, was just to win another ring. That was so exciting last year to win it. No one expected us to even be there, much less win. I was so excited it was unbelievable. I've won other titles before, but that one, that's what I cherish the most."

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Kennedy High catcher Mike Sanchez is carrying on the school's long tradition of All-City catchers.

David Sprague/Staff Photographer

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