Four FVHS alumni receive Baseball Hall of Fame award

John Elliott (’82), Steve Jongewaard (’82), Rob Sharpnack (’85) and Dan Keller (’95) (left to right) standing proudly after receiving the Baseball Hall of Fame award. Photo by Elise Tran.by Elise Tran, Staff Writer

On Feb. 11, on the Opening Day for the 2017 baseball season, many past coaches, players and parents gathered to see four FVHS alumni

receive the Baseball Hall of Fame award. Dan Keller (‘95), Rob Sharpnack (‘85), Steve Jongewaard (‘82) and John Elliott (‘82) showed remarkable efforts to the baseball community after high school. Unfortunately, due to the bad weather conditions, the alumni vs. varsity game that was to be a part of this award ceremony was cancelled.

Sharpnack was phenomenal in pitching. In his freshman year, he was 10-1 in pitching and by the end of the season, he was elevated onto varsity.

In his junior year, he had a 1.4 earned run average (ERA). Sharpnack tied with the record for most strikeouts and

wins and broke the record for win percentage. With a successful season, he was selected first team all Sunset League and third all county.

In his graduating year, his team won CIF with a 10-3 score, a 1.05 ERA and 117 strikeouts. He was selected by USA Today’s top 20 high school baseball players and the third best high school baseball pitcher by Baseball’s America. Sharpnack was also named CIF player of the year. Sharpnack set the record for most strikeouts in a season and once again tied the record for amount of wins.

“It was incredible and unforgettable and I enjoyed every minute of it. From the academic side of it to the sports, obviously. I learned so many life lessons like I said and I grew up here,” said Sharpnack.

He signed the letter of intent for USC with a full scholarship. Sharpnack was scouted by the Oakland A’s in 1988, but in 1989, he had torn his rotator cuff and laborem which ended his baseball career. Sharpnack has been the Chief of police of Costa Mesa since May 2015.

Keller joined Baron’s baseball his freshman year and proved successful winning Sunset League. Keller joined varsity sophomore league and in his last two years of high school, he won both California Interstate Federation? And Sunset League.

His success in high school was able to get him drafted by the Baltimore Orioles making it to the 46th round. Keller received a full scholarship at UCLA and pitched for the team from 1996 to 1999.

Keller is now the president and CEO of Dugout Captain which provides coaching tools such as practice plans. Keller is also the author of three books: Coaching the Beginner Pitcher, Coaching the Beginning Pitcher: Teach Pitching Safely and Efficiently and Survival Guide for Coaching Youth Baseball.

Steve Jongewaard (‘82) had impressive seasons in his high school baseball years and an extensive career with baseball in later years.

Jongewaard played baseball all four years at FVHS and was able to move up to varsity in his sophomore year in the middle of the year.

Jongewaard said, “[Playing baseball at FVHS] was a great experience. I had great teammates and it was probably the best time of my life.”

In his graduating year, Jongewaard was drafted by the second round of the Boston Red Sox and was the 46th player taken overall. He played until 1984 and then signed as a free agent for the Atlanta Braves for third base.

Three years later, Jongewaard became a free agent as a right-handed pitcher. In 1989, he became a part-time baseball scout for the Atlanta Braves and later as a scout for the Seattle Mariners. In 2007, Jongewaard was awarded with the Mariners Scout of the Year.

He became a national coordinator and crosscheck and crosschecked many major-leaguers including FVHS alumni and Baltimore Orioles pitcher, Chris Tillman (‘06).

“Being honored in the hall of fame this year is great,” said Jongewaard. “I mean, it’s been a long time since I got an award and it was kind of nice to get one this year and to come here and accept it.”

John Elliott (‘82) didn’t have the easiest baseball seasons.

He got cut from the baseball team both freshman and sophomore year, but with motivation from his mom, he was able to make the junior varsity team his junior year. In his senior year, he was able to become a starting third baseman for varsity.

He wanted to play for Orange Coast College in baseball, but was also cut from the team. Elliot jumped back on his feet and played for Long Beach City College. In his first year, he led the team second in all league and in his second year, Elliott received the most valuable player (MVP) award.

“I wouldn’t change anything that I have gone through in my life. Fountain Valley is one of those schools that made you better. It’s tough to get away from the experiences that make you today, but the adversity made me,” said Elliot.

In 1984, Elliott was drafted in the fourth round by the Houston Astros for which he played for five and a half years. He decided to close up his baseball playing career in 1988 and went back to school.

Elliott received a masters in exercise science and in 1995, he create Quakes Baseball Academy. Quakes Baseball Academy coaches baseball players from ages 13 to 18.

“[Elliott] was nutty on baseball and he still is. If you ever see him coach some of his teams and so forth, you’ll understand how dedicated to baseball he really is,” Doug Deutsch, a retired scouter for the Houston Astros.