Three years ago, Pedro Alvarez decided to turn down a $1 million contract from the Boston Red Sox to play baseball for the Vanderbilt Commodores.
All we can say is ‘thanks.’
Alvarez enters this season as college baseball’s top player and the potential No. 1 pick in the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft. He has starred for the prestigious Team USA squad the past two summers and will surely break many school records when all is said and done.
He’s the most talented and visible player on the school’s best team.
Alvarez was dominant as a freshman, batting .329 with 22 homers, 15 doubles and 64 RBIs. He was even better as a sophomore, hitting a ridiculous .386 with 18 round-trippers, 21 doubles and 68 RBIs.
But, Alvarez’s appeal extends beyond the numbers. He’s humble and hard-working, always sprinting on and off the field: he’s gracious to both fans and media members: and he’s a great teammate.
"It's not about any individual player in this program. We don't get lost in the individual aspect," coach Tim Corbin told rivals.com. "You reach all your goals in this program if you join the team effort. He likes to win, and it's important for him to win. He immerses himself in the idea of team.”
And as a result, Alvarez could care less about being the champion of the inaugural “Who’s Now?”
"In terms of external stuff like awards, accolades and prospect rankings, I don't really pay attention to it," Alvarez said. "It might sound cliche, but my first and only focus is trying to help this team go the distance."
His comments confirm what we already knew: Alvarez is one of those special players who come around once in a generation. From his towering home runs and diving stops to his giving the thumbs-up to the Hawkins faithful and stylish costumes at sorority date parties, it’s clear that Alvarez defines “now.”
DEE DAVIS REGIONAL
Round 1 Results
No. 1 Liz Sherwood (75%) defeated No. 8 Austin Williamson (25%)
No. 5. Christina Wirth (55%) defeated No. 4 Dominic de la Osa (45%)
No. 2 Jonathan Goff (82%) defeated No. 7 Karen Grygiel (18%)
No. 3 Jermaine Beal (62%) defeated No. 6 Catherine Newman (38%)
Round 2 Results
No. 1 Liz Sherwood (68%) defeated No. 5 Christina Wirth (32%)
No. 2 Jonathan Goff (58%) defeated No. 3 Jermaine Beal (42%)
Round 3 Matchup
No. 1 Liz Sherwood (88%) defeated No. 2 Jonathan Goff (12%)
DAVID PRICE REGIONAL
Round 1 Results
No. 1 Pedro Alvarez (70%) defeated No. 8 Jon Curran (30%)
No. 4. Mr. C (57%) defeated No. 5 Big C (43%)
No. 2 Alex Gordon (70%) defeated No. 7 Vijay Paul (30%)
No. 3 D.J. Moore (77%) defeated No. 6 Katie Schulz (23%)
Round 2 Results
No. 1 Pedro Alvarez (96%) vs. No. 4 Mr. C (4%)
No. 2 Alex Gordon (59%) vs. No. 3 D.J. Moore (41%)
No. 1 Pedro Alvarez (50.3%) defeated No. 2 Alex Gordon (49.7%)
DERRICK BYARS REGIONAL
Round 1 Results
No. 1 Shan Foster (88%) defeated No. 8 Josie Earnest (12%)
No. 4 Mikie Minor (58%) defeated No. 5 Chris Williams (42%)
No. 2 Ryan Flaherty (75%) defeated No. 7 Rita Jorgensen (25%)
No. 3 Mackenzi Adams (50.3%) defeated No. 6 Jen Risper (49.7%)
Round 2 Results
No. 1 Shan Foster (58%) defeated. No. 4 Mikie Minor (42%)
No. 2 Ryan Flaherty (51%) defeated No. 3 Mackenzi Adams (49%)
Round 3 Matchup
No. 2 Ryan Flaherty (52%) defeated No. 1 Shan Foster (48%)
JAY CUTLER REGIONAL
Round 1 Results
No. 1. Earl Bennett (67%) defeated No. 8 Leigh-Ann Axt (33%)
No. 5 Sarah Dennis (56%) defeated No. 4 Ross Neltner (44%)
No. 2 A.J. Ogilvy (84%) defeated No. 7 Margie Curran (16%)
No. 3 Jacqui Concolino (53%) defeated No. 6 Ryan Preston (47%)
Round 2 Results
No. 1 Earl Bennett (85%) defeated No. 5 Sarah Dennis (15%)
No. 2 A.J. Ogilvy (81%) defeated No. 3 Jacqui Concolino (19%)
Round 3 Matchup
No. 1 Earl Bennett (78%) vs. No. 2 A.J. Ogilvy (22%)
VOTING SCHEDULE
Quarterfinals
2/1: Finals of Price and Davis Regionals
Semifinals
2/4: Byars Winner vs. Davis Winner
2/6: Cutler Winner vs. Price Winner Finals
2/8: Byars/Davis Winner vs. Cutler/Price Winner
Reveal Champion
2/11: Pedro Alvarez
Make sure to consider the following criteria when casting your vote:
* Individual accolades
How big is your trophy room? Have you broken any school records, earned All-SEC honors or taken home any big-time awards?
* Team success
You may be talented, but remember the name on the front of the jersey is more important than the one on the back. Have you led your team to the Big Dance or won an SEC title?
* National exposure
You may be a hero in Nashville, but do people around the country even know you exist? Have you earned All-American
status or appeared on Mel Kiper's Draft Board?
* Fan appeal
You may be big-time, but when you walk around campus, can fans even recognize you? Do they wear your jersey, cheer for you at games and friend (maybe even poke) you on Facebook?
* "It" factor
It's hard to quantify, but do you have the intangibles every star needs?
