Feb 12, 2008

Gunn grad still chasing dream

Navarro hopes stint in winter league leads to pro contract

By Travis Perkins / Daily News Staff Writer

Former Gunn outfielder and pitcher Ricky Navarro contemplated retirement.

After playing as an outfielder at the College of San Mateo and the University of the Pacific, he graduated from college in June. As opportunities to play at a higher level thinned out, Navarro struggled to pull the plug on his lifelong dream of playing in the major leagues.

"I knew I would really miss it," said Navarro, who played in a wooden-bat league over the summer.

Rather than put his communicationS major to use, the 23-year-old earned a second chance to play baseball. He was selected Jan. 30 to participate in the six-team Arizona Winter League as a member of the Palm Springs Chill, the first winter team in that area in 10 years.

"He has never been a superstar but he worked hard," said Mary Ahern, his mother. "He won't quit until someone looks him in the eyes and tells him it's done."

Navarro made the team as a right-handed pitcher and the Chill opened the season at Palm Springs Stadium on Feb. 1. He joins 135 pro players, college graduates and foreign imports involved in the winter organization.

His manager is Garry Templeton, a former all-star shortstop for the St. Louis Cardinals and San Diego Padres. The program exists under the flag of the Golden Baseball League, a 5-year-old independent organization that exposes talent in the western United States. The league doesn't offer salary but provides meals and travel expenses. The Chill competes in Yuma, Ariz., during the week and in Palm Springs on weekends. Navarro has Mondays off and stays in motels at both locations.

"It's been good times," he said.

Despite an initial rough outing, Navarro threw two innings of middle relief without allowing a hit Thursday. He followed that by being the player of the game on Saturday.

Navarro hopes the experience leads to a pro contract.

"That's my goal," said Navarro, who once threw a bullpen session for scouts from the Cincinnati Reds. "I want to sign with a minor-league team (affiliated with a major-league club), but I will play for any independent (non-affiliated) or Golden League team."

Standing 6-2 and weighing 188 pounds, Navarro throws a four-seam and two-seam fastball, curveball, change-up and slider. Four months ago, he started working with pitching coach Jimmy Escalante, who works on the rookie-league level for the Oakland Athletics.

Navarro hadn't pitched since the summer of his sophomore year in college. Escalante, who resides in Woodside, urged Navarro to try out for the winter program to gain exposure.

"It has always been high hopes against long odds," Ahern said.

Former CSM outfielder Dan Nava, who played ahead of Navarro at CSM, served as inspiration. Nava participated as a member of the Chico Outlaws. The Boston Red Sox bought his contract in October.

When Navarro arrived in Yuma last month, he also bumped into Aaron Lilly (Menlo College).

"I don't think Ricky knew he would be there," Ahern said. "I think he was surprised."

Navarro resides in Half Moon Bay in the offseason. He grew up playing Little League and Babe Ruth in Palo Alto. Gunn featured him as an outfielder and pitcher. He graduated in 2002 and participated with the Palo Alto American Legion squad, hitting .490 and helping the team earn a trip to Yountville for the state tournament.

Though smaller schools expressed interest, Navarro decided to walk on at the University of the Pacific. He made the team as an outfielder but redshirted. He then suffered from mononucleosis as a freshman. Navarro left to play in the outfield at CSM, but he returned to UOP and again saw no playing time.

Navarro briefly played for the NorCal Longhorns, a semi-pro wooden bat team in San Mateo. He strengthened his arm while pitching batting practice to an area team over the summer.

"He got the bug," Ahern said. "He doesn't have a family or mortgage yet. It seemed like the right time to do it."

All of the Chill's games air at www.chillbaseball.com (Palm Springs) and the others run at www.goldenbaseball.co. (Yuma).


E-mail Travis Perkins at tperkins@dailynewsgroup.com.