CLEMENTE HIGH SCHOOL

Wednesday, October 1, 2008Updated: October 9, 12:55 PM ETEmphasis on academics propels Clemente High prospects
By Cesar RodriguezESPNdeportes.com
CHICAGO -- Adrian Perez pushes his backpack through a metal detector before entering Robert Clemente High School. Amid the chaos and worry about the possibility of a fight in the hallway or other violence, Perez instead looks forward to maintaining a good academic average that would enable him to continue doing what he loves most: playing baseball.
"It hasn't been easy," Perez, a senior, said, "but I see that discipline is important if you want to become a professional. In my school, there are a lot of players who would rather join a gang instead of committing to the sport, which they see as just a game."
At Roberto Clemente High School, sports are more than just a game  they're a way out. With that in mind, coach Christopher Hall took his players to Puerto Rico at the beginning of the season to play in a tournament and give them the opportunity to explore firsthand the Puerto Rican scenario, where baseball is a cultural value.
"This school has a negative reputation. We have to work twice as hard because people see us as gangsters and they think that, because of our many problems, nobody wants to study," Perez said. "But we are talented and we can go far. The trip to Puerto Rico taught us that there is a different culture outside of our community."
On the streets of the Humboldt Park community in Chicago, drugs, school dropouts and gangs are part of life. Here, Hall attempts to fight chaos with baseball.
Roberto Clemente High School is named for the former Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder. Devoted to charity work in Latino countries, Clemente died in December 1972 on his way to Nicaragua to deliver aid to victims of an earthquake.
For the past six years, Roberto Clemente High School has been in the spotlight for developing some of the best baseball players in Illinois. Hall implemented academic prerequisites for players and has shown them a more passionate desire for success.
"In my team, the student will learn the importance of studying," Hall said. "If he chooses not to study, he will not play. It is something that they have to understand, they have to comply with the academic requirements."
Hall, a scout for the Atlanta Braves, said the success of players who have come out of Roberto Clemente High School has motivated a few young prospects to follow his advice.
Hall and several parents have been a critical element in the development of these athletes, but at times they have struggled for support within the Humboldt Park community.
"I work hard to help the schools in my community," said city alderman Manny Flores, who helps promote the sport in the community. "But we need parents to get involved. Sports is something that young people need, and we are very proud of our baseball team here at the Roberto Clemente High School."
School council president Judy Vazquez said "only one local politician has shown interest in the school." She supported the team in trying to raise money for its trip to Puerto Rico. According to Vazquez, local businesses refused to donate.
"Business-oriented folks think that youngsters are here only to steal from them," she said. "They don't understand that our players need the support because they come from very poor families. For the trip to Puerto Rico, everyone said 'yes,' but when the time came, one of the local merchants even sent a check for $10. It was humiliating."
Hall acknowledges feeling disappointed with coverage by the local media, who he says portray school violence prominently but ignore student-athletes' successes.
"I called the sportswriters from the Sun-Times and the Tribune, and they all told me the same thing: 'Your trip to Puerto Rico with the team is not good material for a feature.' Well, but the sports sections devoted to high school sports in those newspapers are full of features of teams from the suburbs and teams with white kids on them. How come my story is not good enough for them?" Hall said.
Financial support is scarce, but that hasn't been a barrier for players such as shortstop Marvin Sanchez, who received a scholarship to play for the University of Northern Illinois. Sanchez said the discipline he received in his home and while playing for Roberto Clemente High have been keys to his success.
"I want to be a role model for kids," he said. "Growing up in this neighborhood is not easy because there are drugs, gangs, and many friends don't have goals in life. It hasn't been easy for me at NIU because I am the only Latino there, and I am used to playing with Latinos. I don't worry; I know I will succeed and I will represent my family and Humboldt Park."
Aside from the social and academic obstacles of his first year in college, Sanchez faced one of the most complex challenges of his life: the killings at NIU on Feb. 14. Sanchez refused to comment on the tragedy, but he did say that baseball helped him heal.
Shortstop Marvin Sanchez says the values he learned while playing at Roberto Clemente High School helped him earn a scholarship to Northern Illinois.
"That was something that happened," he said. "I lost friends … but I have my family with me, and we will move on. The most important thing is staying in the fight and achieving my goals."
Victor Diaz, a Clemente High alumnus and outfielder with the Seattle Mariners' Triple-A affiliate Tacoma Rainiers, was nominated as one of the best high school players in Illinois four years in a row. Diaz, a Dominican native, started his career with the New York Mets on Sept. 11, 2004, and immediately showed his potential, hitting three home runs before the end of the month.
Despite the struggles Hall faces, he is committed to training players to become great baseball players, strong students and men who walk through life with their heads held high.
Perez expects to receive a scholarship to play Division I baseball. Someday, he says, his dream is to reach the major leagues and say: "I played at the Roberto Clemente High School."

BOXING IS NOT FOR KIDS

The Antonio Margarito vs. Miguel Cotto was history in the making. However, I did not enjoy the image of Cotto’s wife and child crying after the fight. Who takes their toddler to a boxing match? “Hey son! Lets go see your dad get a can of whoopass tonight.” I didn’t graduate from the Jane Adams College of Social Work, but taking a child to see his dad pounded has to leave some physiological scars. To add to the violence in the ring you have your typical idiots screaming obscenities about the fighters’ nationality and mother; This is not helping a child’s development. My dad is a hot-blooded Duranguense who trained with the former Mexican champ Jose “Pepe” Parga. As a kid I remember my dad threw a number of nice jabs. Most recently, during Dad and Son week at the U. of I. Urbana-Champaign 2004 where my dad dispatched an arrogant fraternity boy for being rude. He is 60 years-old and hits like a champ! But I never enjoyed watching my dad in those situations—win or lose. Don’t think I’m a Michael Savage wannabe, but boxing in my eyes is rated ‘R’ (only for adults) and parents should think twice about taking their kids to a fight.

Cuauhtémoc Conquers MLS

Villain, hero, jerk, are only some of the few terms Cuauhtémoc Blanco has been called by soccer aficionados in his long career. Oh yes! We forgot one more thing: The new face for Major League Soccer! “Temoc” has demonstrated his talent and knowledge of the game, since his arrival to the Chicago Fire. Toyota Park sells-out more games than the Chicago White Sox (1st in Central Div.). His contribution in the league can be compared to Pele’s in the NASL, because of the ability to help turn soccer into a fútbol spectacle. Who would have thought that USA’s worst enemy could become a hero for the MLS? With his stellar performance this season and at the all-star game, Fire executives should start preparing a new big-money deal to show their gratitude. Also, it would not surprise me to see a statue of Blanco outside Toyota Park in a few years.

The ghetto side of sports

The NFL is finally taking some action to monitor player activities to ensure no one is flashing gang signs. Bravo! However, the problem is not only gang sings, but how some of these players present themselves. Ghetto with a capital‘G’. I grew-up watching Jordan and Pippen. Both would always have their sharp suits after the game and were eloquent during interviews.
It’s the leagues fault! This what you get when you draft a kid right out of high school— underserved high schools in some cases—.
I cringe when I hear professional athletes sound like they are on the corner selling dope. This bothers me, especially when the majority of athletes are coming from top universities. Wow, they are making 110 million and represent our sports by acting like thugs—sweet!

One idea, could be for all professional leagues to implement a mandatory etiquette and professionalism classes to help their athletes adapt to the working world. I don’t blame the players, but the universities, leagues and owners for not polishing their products before they hit the shelves.

Don't think I'm scared of seeing gang signs, especially ''attendin'' one of the worst high schools in Chicago, that had its share of Two Sixers, Saints, La Raza, and Disciples. Fights, drugs and shootings were part of school life.

Say it ain't so Brett

Ok, everyone has the right to make a mistake or to have a new start, this is America. However, I don’t agree with Brett Favre’s decision to return to the NFL. You retired, remember! Last year, he made a big scene on national television, sobbing and telling everyone how much he would miss the sport. I love the drama! Be fair to your fans and yourself, don’t come back and ruin the image of the great Favre. You have nothing to prove, but everything to lose. The Packers moved on, you should do the same.

Lion Heart

As expected by many, Chicago's finest David Diaz was defeated by one of the best fighters in history--Manny Paquiao. Although Paquiao gave Diaz one of the worst beatings and demonstrated his superiority, it was boxing at its best. A "fajador" vs. a "tecnico/fajador", two men who worked and trained at the highest level, with the goal of becoming the best. Diaz was slaughtered in the ring, but showed character and a heart of a warrior. Meanwhile, Paquiao-- a true gentleman-- is a perfect example of how boxers should act on-and-off the ring, more importantly he continued his reign in boxing.

Futbol is like 2x6

I was enjoying the Spain vs. U.S.A. friendly at the Chicago White Sox media room with a group of soccer fans. As Oguchi Onyewu missed one of the clearest possibilities for a goal, a reporter in his late 50s with a disgruntled look stopped to watch. After Onyewu missed the ball the man maliciously looked at us and said: “I can’t respect a sport that has (0-0) at the end of the match. I hate soccer”.
Soccer or football-- what ever your preference-- has to be one of the most popular sports in the world (except U.S.A.). I respect many Americans hate the sport and don’t appreciate the beauty of the game; everyone has the right to choose and are open to their opinion. In Football the average team scores three touchdowns a game, each worth six points.So, whats so bad about soccer? Most soccer leagues have two goals per-game (2x6=12). Why call yourself a sports journalist or follow the profession if you are segregating or stereotyping a specific sport. I see it as an Archie Bunker mentality (one of my favorite shows) — where’s Michael Stivic when you need him! As an ESPN Deportes Dream Job finalist, I learned one of the most important things in my career: el deporte es vida. A friend told me ‘to be successful you need keep on working and focus on appreciating all sports’. As journalist, one should be objective and make statements that have substance and are coherent, not vulgar and irrelevant. Lets enjoy soccer, baseball, water polo and even figure skating.