Athletes finding success in the pros
Jeff Tully
Keeping up with the progress of local professional players:
JEFF CIRILLO
The Colorado Rockies all-star third baseman has been able to raise his
batting average in recent weeks after being sidelined on the disabled
list.
Cirillo a former Providence High standout who was a 2000 National
League All-Star after batting .326, missed 15 days last month with a
straigned left rib cage muscle.
Hitting below .300 before going on the DL, Cirillo has raised his
average to .310 heading into Tuesday’s game. In 45 games, Cirillo is 53
for 171 with 35 runs batted in, 26 runs, 11 doubles and nine home runs.
Cirillo, who also played for the Milwaukee Brewers, is a former USC
star and a CIF Southern Section Small Schools Player of the Year for the
Pioneers.
MIKE MAGNANTE
The Oakland Athletics left-handed relief pitcher is in the midst of a
decent season in his 10th year in the big leagues.
Although Magnante -- a Burroughs High graduate -- has a 0-0 record and
no saves, he has a 3.15 earned-run average in 24 games. In 12 innings,
Magnante has allowed 21 hits, nine runs (seven earned), has nine strike
outs and four walks.
Magnante, who has played for the Kansas City Royals, Houston Astros
and Anaheim Angels, has a 4.08 lifetime ERA and a 23-29 record.
A star at Burroughs, Magnante went on to play for UCLA, where he is a
member of the Bruin baseball hall of fame.
JACLYN JOHNSON
Those who remember the former Bellarmine-Jefferson High basketball
player can see her in action Thursday at Staples Center.
Johnson, a rookie forward for the WNBA’s Orlando Miracle, will be in
town with her team as they take on the L.A. Sparks.
In four games, Johnson has averaged 151/2 minutes, 5.5 points and 2.8
rebounds.
Her best game came Saturday in a 86-79 loss to Charlotte. In the game,
Johnson played 22 minutes and scored 11 points.
Johnson, who played four years at University of Kansas, is a former
All-CIF Southern Section girls’ basketball and volleyball standout at
Bell-Jeff.