CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Texas' Major League Baseball teams may have not been able to secure a spot in the postseason, but that doesn't mean the state won't be represented.
South Texans have seen two Coastal Bend natives suit up and play in this year's World Series: Anthony Banda, a 2011 Sinton High School graduate, is a Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher. Jose Trevino, a St. John Paul II graduate, is a New York Yankees catcher.
Gene Kasprzyk, a legendary name in the world of Texas high school baseball, coached the Sinton Pirates for more than 30 years, instilling a reputation and tradition that put Sinton on the map.
As we enter Game 4, "Coach K's" advice to anyone who hasn't tuned in yet: now's a good time.
"The entire series -- Yankees/Dodgers -- is always a classic and it hasn’t happened in a long time," he said. "And then you have two young men from the area that are playing in the series, one for each team -- I just think everyone is really focused on this. You can’t really lose. One of these men is going to be a World Series Champion."
The Dodgers could sweep the series, 4-0, with a win Tuesday night. If needed, Game 5 would be played Wednesday.
Both Coastal Bend natives have been placed in high-pressure, "clutch" situations on the national stage.
During Kasprzyk's years at Sinton, a young Anthony Banda was on his roster.
"He was just a good kid that wanted to chase the dream and baseball was just part of that dream, he was a very hard worker," Kasprzyk said. "I can’t say anything but positive things about my experience with Anthony in his time with us in Sinton. He was a real good person, a nice kid, and a good baseball player."
He said the two check-in with each other from time to time, and that he's enjoyed watching Banda's success from afar, especially since the reliever's road to the World Series hasn't always been a smooth one.
"Anthony went through all kinds of obstacles to get where he is today," Kasprzyk said. "He had Tommy John surgery had to come back from, he was on the brink of his career being over, and all of a sudden, made a few adjustments, went to the Dodgers and is now on the brink of winning a World Series."
He also had high praise for Trevino, saying "it was hard not to know about him" during Trevino's time in high school, despite being over in Corpus Christi."
"He was such a successful high school baseball player here in the Coastal Bend and so, yes, I've followed his career as well," Kasprzyk said. "It’s been a very special one with the Yankees, and he’s a very good young man as well."
The coach has as much admiration for Banda and Trevino as men as he does for them as players.
"Both of these guys come back and give back to their communities, and it’s exciting to see both of them reach the pinnacle of what a baseball career can be," he said. "Änd to be playing against each other in the World Series, it’s created a lot of excitement here in the Coastal Bend."
While Sinton players have made it to the World Series in the past, Kasprzyk said what's happening now is a first.
"As far as multiple players -- playing against each other in the World Series -- I'm not aware that’s happened before," he said.
Some noteworthy Sinton World Series appearances were made by:
- Mike Adams of Sinton pitched in the World Series for the Texas Rangers in 2011.
- Clint Hartung, though not a native of Sinton, was a former Sinton resident who did play for the New York Giants in the 1950s, and also played in the World Series. Originally from Hondo, he was given the nickname, the Hondo Hurricane.
Kasprzyk said this sort of representation is significant for South Texans, especially young athletes.
"(Banda's) will be a great story for people to tell their kids and have young folks who have dreams to follow your dreams, keep grinding, and there’s always a chance that those dreams can come true," Kasprzyk said.
It was about 10 years ago when current head baseball coach over the Sinton Pirates, Adrian Alaniz, took the reigns from "Coach K." In his role as coach, he said it's all about encouraging his players to learn from players like Banda or Trevino.
"It validates how good the game of baseball is played out here in South Texas, now being shown on the main stage, in having two guys represent," he said. "We have two representatives from South Texas being up there. You may be a Dodgers fan, you may be a Yankee fan, but we are rooting for those two guys here in Sinton."
Alaniz said that once everything settles down from this World Series run, he looks forward to getting to invite Banda to talk and visit with his Pirates baseball team.
"This guy's been through the process and been in your shoes at one point and he did play football here in Sinton, he did play baseball, so it kinda gives them (current students) that self-reflection that, "Man, someone is actually out there doing something big."
Game 4 of the World Series begins just after 7 p.m. Tuesday.
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