By Thomas Jones, Sports Editor

One of Westlake’s finest received more national recognition with an appearance in this week’s issue of Sports Illustrated.

sportsillustrated.com

Huston Street, a 2001 Westlake graduate and the current closer for the Colorado Rockies, garnered some positive press in SI’s weekly “Whose Hot, Whose Not” feature. To quote the magazine, which placed Street in its “Hot” category:

 “. …as in Street, the Rockies’ closer, who may not be among baseball’s most feared but who has been among its most effective, with 20 saves in his last 20 chances for the NL wild-card leaders. Street is not superfast and he is not supermenacing but, explains pitching coach Bob Apodaca, ’He is very sneaky.’ ”

 Such praise comes as no surprise to those fans that saw Street before he began an all-American career at the University of Texas. He was a dynamic player for Westlake’s baseball team who shined in the field and at the plate (he hit better than .300) as well as on the mound.

Other high school pitchers had better stuff, but none could equal Street’s determination and mental toughness when he had the ball in his hand. And don’t underestimate his ability as a fielder; in fact, that particular Chap squad was at its best when Street manned shortstop.

Street’s success on the diamond didn’t match his achievements on the gridiron during his days at Westlake, but he proved realistic when it came to his athletic future. A 6-foot, 175-pound all-state safety for Westlake’s state-finalist 2000 football team, Street admitted in high school that he wanted to play collegiate football more than anything. But he lacked blazing speed and prototypical size, and he anticipated good things in baseball.

After a College World Series championship and solid Major League career, who can argue with Street’s foresight?