greasywheels121 Posted June 12, 2004 Share Posted June 12, 2004 Former 'Little Leaguer' hurls one-hitter NEW YORK -- Danny Almonte delivered his team a title that nobody will question. Almonte, whose perfect game in the 2001 Little League World Series was erased when he was found to be too old, threw a one-hitter to give James Monroe Campus High School a 4-0 win over George Washington in the New York City public school championship game Friday night at Shea Stadium. "The past was the past," Almonte said. "I felt great today. Winning a championship is a dream come true." The 17-year-old pitcher from the Dominican Republic struck out 11 and walked two. Almonte retired the first seven batters, striking out six, before giving up a line-drive single up the middle to Gustavo Duran. Almonte was a member of the 2001 Rolando Paulino All-Stars, who were forced to forfeit their Little League World Series victories because the star pitcher was found to be too old. "The pressure on him was making his first start in a big-league stadium," said Rolando Paulino, Almonte's legal guardian. "It's something that he'll never forget." Almonte, whose parents live in the Dominican Republic, enrolled at the Bronx high school in 2002. In the city title game against Tottenville last season, he blew a four-run lead in relief during an 8-7 loss. Almonte twice struck out George Washington catcher Angel Salome, a fifth-round pick of the Milwaukee Brewers, and got him to fly out in his last at-bat. It was the first hitless game of Salome's high school career. Almonte can be drafted after his two remaining years of high school eligibility. "It's up to Danny, his guardian ... and I'll have some input," Almonte's coach, Mike Turo, said. "Right now, it is just a growing process. When he's done, he'll probably be one of the best ever." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Be Good Posted June 12, 2004 Share Posted June 12, 2004 Last week I watched him pitch, as he was pitching for his team playing agaisnt an East Meadow team, and at a East Meadow field. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kapkomet Posted June 12, 2004 Share Posted June 12, 2004 That's actually a pretty cool story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redandwhite Posted June 12, 2004 Share Posted June 12, 2004 He's gonna be a good player. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dasox24 Posted June 12, 2004 Share Posted June 12, 2004 I'm glad to see him doing well after the little league incident, which I don't think he had much say in and was blamed by a lot of people for it. Personally, I think it's that Paulino guy that should be blamed for Almonte playing even though he was too old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soxman352000 Posted June 14, 2004 Share Posted June 14, 2004 More power to Danny he is going to be a hell of a baseball player Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxAce Posted June 14, 2004 Share Posted June 14, 2004 Congrats to the Mr. Future prospect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted June 14, 2004 Share Posted June 14, 2004 Did they ever say if this kid knew he was too old for the league or not? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greasywheels121 Posted June 14, 2004 Author Share Posted June 14, 2004 From what I remember of it being in SI etc....I don't think he ever knew what he was doing was wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nokona Posted June 14, 2004 Share Posted June 14, 2004 I never thought he was THAT great. He was throwing 70 from what 48 and he was two years older? Nothing special. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greasywheels121 Posted June 14, 2004 Author Share Posted June 14, 2004 I never thought he was THAT great. He was throwing 70 from what 48 and he was two years older? Nothing special. I guarantee he's improved. He was 14 at the time, and there's no question he wasn't done growing. I still can see him being something special. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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