STILL WORTH WATCHING : Five Years Later, These Athletes Are Fulfilling Their Early Promise : Kelly Cordero

For one summer Cordero was the Little League equivalent of Nolan Ryan, Greg Maddox and Bert Blyleven rolled into one. The smooth-throwing right-hander had a great fastball and curve, and threw nothing but strikes.

Well schooled in the art of pitching by his father, Charlie, who pitched in college, Cordero was practically unbeatable in 1990; 21-2, including a 10-1 record as the Cypress All-Star team came within one game of playing for the Little League World Series title in Williamsport, Pa.

“He was a natural,” the team’s coach, Gary Shelton, recalled.

Shelton--who also had Cypress High standout Bobby Brito on that 1990 team--said getting Cordero for his team was pure luck.

“Originally he and his family came from New York,” Shelton said. “Nobody here had heard of him; but a guy I was coaching with had seen him play basketball and said he was a good athlete. . . . He turned out to be the best pitcher in the state.”

In his first game, Cordero struck out 13 and won, 9-0. He averaged 13 strikeouts per six-inning game.

In his first World Series game he had a no-hitter until an outfielder misjudged a fly ball. Cordero was so rattled he struck out the next six batters in a row.

Two years ago, Cordero’s family moved to Seattle, and then back to New York, Shelton said. “And I’ve heard in high school he didn’t play anymore,” he added.

Attempts to reach the Corderos were unsuccessful.

“He was one of a kind at that age group,” Shelton said. “He was a natural.”