Reavis’ Alex Rodriguez goes by many nicknames.
The senior left fielder is known as “A-Rod” just like former MLB great Alex Rodriguez.
But as the only senior in the starting lineup for the Rams, he’s picked up a few other ones as well.
“The other players sometimes call him the old man,” coach Don Erickson said. “They call him ‘seventh-year senior.’ Of course, he’s not, but they call him that because he’s an older dude.”
Rodriguez said he’s also known around the team as “Uncle Lou” because one day he wore Lou Gehrig-style pants to practice.
Whatever you want to call him, Rodriguez has been a valuable member of a young team that continues to make a lot of noise.
He had two of the Rams’ six hits Tuesday afternoon in a 3-0 South Suburban Red victory over Oak Lawn that helped clinch the conference championship.
Juan Aliva was both the likely and unlikely hero for Reavis (26-4, 16-1). Not surprisingly, he improved to 9-1 by pitching seven shutout innings. But even though he hasn’t batted much this spring, he also hit a three-run homer — his first high school home run — in the fourth inning.
Reavis has won 10 conference titles, including four in the last five seasons.
Kyler Bader contributed two hits for Oak Lawn (12-13, 8-7), while senior catcher Jake Canvin threw out two runners trying to steal. Muhammad Abdelfattah and Brett Gatch delivered solid pitching performances for the Spartans.
Rodriguez, who said his parents named him Alex because they liked the name and not because of the longtime MLB star, enjoys his role as the 18-year-old elder statesman of the team.
“I like to pass what I know down to them,” Rodriguez said. “I think the weight room is very important and I let them know that. There is a lot I can contribute to be successful on the team.”
Reavis’ Juan Avila, center, celebrates his three-run homer against Oak Lawn in a South Suburban Red game in Oak Lawn on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. (Jeff Vorva / Daily Southtown)
Erickson appreciates having a veteran presence around in Rodriguez, who has been on the varsity since his sophomore season.
“We have a super-young team.” Erickson said. “He’s quiet but always has a smile on his face. He’s easygoing. Nothing really phases him.”
Against Oak Lawn, Rodriguez lined a single over the second baseman’s head and into right field to spark the rally, which was capped by Avila’s blast.
“He’s too old,” Avila joked about Rodriguez. “He’s a great clubhouse guy — someone you can just have a great time with.
“He’ll support you on and off the field. He’s one of those guys that we can’t lose. It’s going to hurt watching him graduate and not be with us next year.”
Avila’s rare home run came at a good time because Oak Lawn’s pitchers were being stingy on the mound.
“Those types of opportunities don’t come very often,” Avila said. “You have to capitalize on them. It’s pretty satisfying being able to do that sort of thing.”
Reavis celebrates its conference championship after beating Oak Lawn in a South Suburban Red game in Oak Lawn on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. (Jeff Vorva / Daily Southtown)
Rodriguez, meanwhile, is trying to capitalize on his last few weeks of baseball.
Once the season is over and he graduates, he said he plans on becoming an electrician and hopes to serve an apprenticeship.
He acknowledged that he hadn’t given it much thought about how much he will miss baseball.
But he wants to make his final year memorable.
Reavis is riding high with an 11-game winning streak and last lost on April 20, a 3-2 setback to Homewood-Flossmoor. In a regional they host, the Rams are seeded third behind Nazareth and Lyons.
“I think we can have a really good playoff run,” Rodriguez said. “We can win sectionals and regionals and try to get all the way to state.”
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
