Almonte says not being drafted just another hurdle in his life

Updated: June 7, 2006, 10:01 PM ET
Associated Press

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Danny Almonte is going to see a lot more of New Mexico's blue skies and desert windstorms.

Best known as the kid who threw a no-hitter in the Little League World Series and then was stripped of the honor when it was discovered he was too old to be playing at that level, Almonte wasn't drafted in this year's Major League Draft.

So instead of talking contract with a major league team, Almonte plans to enroll this fall at New Mexico Junior College, a dot-on-the-map school located in the heart of southeast New Mexico's oil country.

Almonte, in town to play for the East squad in Wednesday's All American Baseball game, took his undrafted status in stride.

"It's just a stumbling block in life," Almonte said in Spanish. "That's how life is. I'm fine. I want to play my game, like I've always played it and see if things are better next year."

Almonte knows plenty about stumbling and recovering.

His perfect game in the 2001 Little League World Series -- the first such gem in the 44-year history of the series -- was erased when a check on his age uncovered he was 14 -- two years older than the tournament's age limit. Almonte's father, Felipe de Jesus, was accused of falsifying Danny's birth certificate and was banned for life from involvement in Little League activities.

Since the scandal, Danny has moved on and up.

He went 8-0 in his sophomore year in high school and this season is 13-0 with an ERA under 1.00 as the ace at New York City's James Monroe High School. James Monroe has reached the finals of the city's PSAL Playoffs and will meet George Washington High School on Friday for the championship. Because Almonte will be the starting pitcher for James Monroe, he played first base at the All American game.

"I don't know, I don't know," Almonte said when pressed on why he thought he wasn't drafted. "I put up good numbers."

Ernie Padron, head coach at Florida Christian High School and an assistant coach on the East team, said he was surprised Almonte didn't go in the draft.

"Danny Almonte is a great baseball player but the draft is a mystery sometimes," Padron said. "Maybe they think he needs to spend a little time in junior college and prepare his game for the pro game. But I think he's got a lot of talent and his time is going to come."

Carmine Giardina, a left-handed pitcher from Durant High in Tampa who was drafted in the 28th round by Boston, said Almonte's past has been just that with his teammates this week.

"He's real soft-spoken and keeps to himself," Giardina said. "The other guys respect that and don't bring it up."

Almonte says he plans to return to New Mexico this summer to get his first look at New Mexico Junior College. Asked what he liked best of what he got to see of the Southwest state this week, he smiled and replied, "the heat."

Almonte, who turned 19 in April, said he's also adjusting nicely to married life. He married 30-year-old Rosy Perdomo last year and the two have an apartment in the Bronx. She accompanied him to New Mexico this week.

"Everything is good. We get along well," Almonte said.


Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press

This story is from ESPN.com's automated news wire. Wire index

ESPN Conversations

comments

MORE MLB HEADLINES