Generational Throwbacks

I grew up in the 1990’s and the early 2000’s. I really enjoyed my childhood, because of all the different things that were going on during that time. I will be posting articles titled “Generational Throwback” whenever I feel necessary. These posts will be about a person, band, song, movie TV show ect. that impacted my childhood. Each post will include a brief summary of the topic and a “where are they now/ what happened too” section. Think of it as my personal version of VH1’s “I Love the 90’s/00’s.”

 For today’s “Generational Throwback” debut I’m busting out the name Danny Almonte. Danny Almonte became a little league sensation when he led his team from the Bronx to a third place finish at the Little League World Series in 2001. As a pitcher he struck out 62 out of the 72 batters he faced. The problem with this was that Danny was 14, two years over the age requirement. His physical appearance and dominating fastball caused many people to doubt the legitimacy of his birth certificate. Basically it was like he

 was on steroids and none of the other kids were. His team was stripped of their 3rd place finish and it was of the lowest points in LLWS history.

In the fall of 2007 Danny enrolled at the junior college Western Oklahoma State where he is a pitcher and right fielder for the baseball team. During the 2008 season the team advanced to the Junior College DII World Series. Almonte finished as one of the top hitters in the league batting .497 with 14 home runs and going 7-1 with 1 save as a pitcher. This season he is off to another great start. It is good to see that he has been able to play baseball competitively, because it is believed that he didn't even know his own age until after the LLWS scandal. 

 Props to my boy Jake in Maine for the tip to look up Almonte. 

Thanks and don't forget to spread the word!

Stay classy, not Umassy.