Baseball:

By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor

Jacob Alvarez didn’t see his name in the headlines, but don’t think for a second that he didn’t do his part and then some in Charter Oak’s success.

Until his senior year, Alvarez was brought off the bench to either pinch-run or pinch-hit, but his duties also included holding down third base any time Diego Flores was on the mound.

Having to enter a game and executing after sitting in a dugout for five or six innings is one of the most difficult tasks a baseball coach can ask of his players.

But Alvarez took Coach Elias Chavez’ words to heart and he remained “ready” every inning of every game so that when his name was called, Jacob Alvarez was ready and able to do his part.

Most players with his drive, work ethic, baseball IQ and love for the game would be miserable in that role, but not Jacob Alvarez.

“I understood my role the first two years and I accepted that,” Alvarez said. “I come from a Christian family and I’ve been taught since I was a kid to do anything I can to help and that’s what I always tried to do for our baseball team. Obviously, I would have liked to see my name out there, but if we won, I was happy.”

His parents, Dana and Steve, are his role models, and Jacob said from day one that he and his four siblings (Jonathan, Justin, Isaiah and Natalie) are about being the best people possible and helping their community in any way.

Last year, Alvarez hit .294, with 10 hits, scored four runs, drove in eight and had a pair of doubles.

The season before, he actually only got five official at-bats, going 1-for-5.

Fast forward to 2020 and Jacob Alvarez not only gets full-time action, he’s the Chargers shortstop and hitting No. 2 in the lineup.

Through the seven-game season, Jacob hit .409, with nine hits, four runs and three RBIs.

His average, hits and .500 on-base percentage led all Charter Oak players.

He was second in runs, RBIs and OPS (.909).

Alvarez began the first two games without a hit, but he credited Coach Charles Green for giving him a short and simple pep talk that really cleared his head.

And the rest is history.

Alvarez said his favorite personal moment of the season was a late, two-out, RBI single at Bonita that ended up being the game winner in a 2-1 victory over the Bearcats on March 7.

Another big moment for Jacob was the ability to see his brother Isaiah in the same dugout this season.

Isaiah Alvarez has had a hip issue since birth that affects his leg, and while he spent quite a bit of time in a wheelchair, Isaiah was on the road to recovery and with the hopes of coming out of the Chargers’ bullpen.

Jacob and Isaiah also share a room at home, so they’ve had to learn how to coexist in small quarters.

His eldest brother, Jonathan (Ortiz), is the freshman baseball coach at Charter Oak.

You’ve probably figured out by now that Jacob Alvarez is a quality player and an even better human being, but he is also very bright and motivated.

He’ll finish his time at Charter Oak with a 3.6 GPA, and that’s in honors classes.

Aside from his numbers skyrocketing for this, his senior year, Jacob Alvarez became a leader that his coaches trusted and his teammates respected.

“Jacob has always been a really selfless guy that has always wanted to win, but even when things go bad, he was always positive and always tried to get the guys to rally together and work as one,” Charter Oak teammate Zack Bauer said. “Jacob was always a great teammate as long as I’ve known him and he’s always willing to do what is asked of him.”

His coach went even further.

“Jacob did everything we asked of him and never complained,” Coach Chavez said. “He was willing to do anything and everything we needed of him and I couldn’t appreciate him more than I do. He even offered to pitch if we needed that. I just didn’t want to take him out of shortstop, because he’s so steady there. But he also played second and third base. He would let his younger teammates know if they weren’t doing a drill the right way, but never to belittle them. He was always positive and helpful and I wish we had nine Jacob’s. He really fits that mantra of it not being about the name on your back, but the one on the front of your jersey.”

Despite being off to such a great start, and believing they could compete for a Hacienda League title (22-6 league record over last two years), Alvarez treasures the time he had with his teammates more than any bitterness in seeing his prep career coming to a premature end.

“I had such a great time with them and we’ll still have so many good memories that we can carry forward through our lives,” he said. “Obviously, we all wish we were playing, but it was something that none of us had any control over and we could see this coming.”

Alvarez wants to continue his career at the next level and is leaning towards playing for Citrus College.

One day, he’d love to work in a front office for an MLB team, but also doesn’t rule out the idea of coaching at a high school level.

These days, Jacob and his brothers have made their own gym in the backyard, working out five or six days a week.

He said his brother’s also work with him on improving his mobility and that he appreciates how Jonathan and Justin contribute so much to his life.

As a family, they are committed to watching all 22 Marvel Movies together in what they call a “Marvel Marathon.”

Lastly, we asked Jacob what he’d want his younger teammates to remember him for.

Said Jacob Alvarez: “I hope they remember how hard I worked and that I never asked for anything to be given to me. I always wanted to earn everything. I would also encourage the guys to stay after practice and take some extra cuts or ground balls or anything they need to improve their game. I wanted to be the best teammate I could and contribute in any way that I could.”

Jacob, you will definitely be remembered for all of that, and your parents and family should be so proud of the young man that you’ve become.

To view Jacob’s photo gallery, click on the Facebook link here: (1) Facebook