Cruz Is Named Mariners’ Best

Outfielder Jose Cruz Jr., who began the 1996 season with the Lancaster JetHawks, has been named the Seattle Mariners’ organizational player of the year.

Cruz, widely considered the Mariners’ top prospect, was with the JetHawks until the All-Star break. He split the second half between double A and triple A.

Right-handed pitcher Greg Wooten, who finished the season with the JetHawks, was the organizational pitcher of the year.

Right-hander Ken Cloude was the JetHawks’ most valuable player, as judged by the Mariners. He spent all season in Lancaster.

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Last hurrah: Gary Gray has informed the North Hollywood High football team that this season will be his last as coach.

“I want to do some other things,” said Gray, who is in his fifth season. “Maybe do some things with my wife and family before I’m too old.”

Gray, dean of students at North Hollywood, has a 21-29-1 record.

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Double loss: Reseda High forfeited two of its three football victories due to an ineligible player.

The Regents forfeited victories over Cleveland and Poly, falling to 1-7, 1-4 in the Valley Pac-8 Conference. The player in question, who was not identified, was used mostly on special teams and did not have athletic eligibility left, Coach Joel Schaeffer said.

“It was something I asked to have checked out over the summer,” Schaeffer said. “[The administration] just didn’t check in out and who suffers? The team.”

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Chatsworth has forfeited its season-opening victory over the Regents. The Chancellors used a transfer who had not been cleared to play, Coach Myron Gibford said. The player was held out for several weeks and recently returned to the team when he became eligible. Neither team will get credit for a victory.

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Sticking his neck out: Hart defensive lineman David Childers said he will play in tonight’s game against Burroughs despite having a cracked bone in his neck. The senior has been cleared by his doctor and has practiced this week.