August 12, 2004

Leland stars win big with the Santa Clara Red Sox
Stanford bound Gemoll, Astros bound Woodruff nab Palomino World Series

By Justin Petersen
Staff Writer

Are families in Almaden Valley colluding, plotting birth rates and boys trained to play baseball together throughout high school and into the pros? What appears to be a pleasant coincidence for little leaguer upon little leaguer, is growing more outrageous, considering the number of ball players Almaden produces that are going on to play baseball at the next level.

But as the adage proves true, recall once again: it is attitude that fuels success. Just ask the latest Leland prodigies Darren Gemoll and Kyle Woodruff.

Gemoll, a 6’0, 210 pound first baseman, is headed to Stanford University, where he will receive a discounted education, thanks to an explosive bat and calm state of mind. Woodruff, on the other hand, will travel to the College of San Mateo (CSM), while already named semi-property of the Houston Astros. A ‘draft-and-follow,’ Woodruff is committed to CSM under contract for one year before the ‘Stros run an evaluation and offer a ‘money’ contract that the pitcher will either sign and accept or discard before re-entering the draft a second time newly equipped with college level experience.

As Leland seniors in 2004, Gemoll and Woodruff, along with slugger Adam Lara and company, led the Chargers to an impromptu ascent into the Division I CCS semi-final game. There they lost 1-0 by no fault of their own in what amounted to a pitching dual staged between Woodruff and Wilcox High School’s CCS Player of the Year, Donald Brandt.

The loss sat heavy throughout graduation ceremonies. A last chance to bring home a championship trophy had been dribbled away on account of a single run.

But for Gemoll and Woodruff, there was no time to sulk. Careers await. In the fashion of former Leland greats Bobby Hill (of the Pittsburgh Pirates), Brandon Gemoll (of the AAA Brewers) and Adam Shorsher (of the A Mariners), old friends Darren and Kyle skipped the carefree days of high school post-grad pool parties. Rather, the two worked out diligently and chose a 30-plus game schedule representing opposing teams in the Palomino League, a division of Pony designed for 17-18-year olds.

It appeared then that the boys’ tenure as teammates had come to an end. As fate would have it, however, they were reunited after Woodruff’s Almaden Reds fell in the league’s qualifying tournament. Santa Clara Red Sox coach Chuck Blair would add Woodruff to his teams’ roster, already holding Gemoll.

And despite a heap of accolades between them, Gemoll and Woodruff yet lacked that which eluded them in the loss to Wilcox. Acording to Woodruff, the two teammates had accomplished much, including years of little league all-stars and All-CCS status, but neither had ever won the big one before joining the Red Sox.

The Red Sox, who frankly amount to the CCS All-stars stand—versus approximately 300 Palomino clubs spread from Pacific to Atlantic, Canada to the Dominican Republic—lodged the old mates back onto the same side, primed for a Palomino World Series title.

On Monday, Aug. 9, Gemoll and Woodruff solidified their pre-pro careers, capturing the Palomino World Series title with a victory over a team from Southern California.

“Last summer we played on a team in Georgia,” said Woodruff. “But we got second. This summer we just went out and won it.”

The Red Sox won it thanks, in a large part, to old foe Brandt who threw a two-hitter and knocked out a home run in his final at-bat of the game.

“I was concerned about Brandt,” said Gemoll. “I thought he might be cocky, but he ended up being a great guy.”

Asked what the victory meant, he replied, “It was pretty big. When my brother Brandon was on the team in 1999 they won it for the first time. I really wanted to do that too. We had all the best players in the CCS, but really played as a team. I’m not known for my bunting, but I was laying down bunts from the number four spot all summer.”

Gemoll joins brother Brandon as the second member of the Gemoll family to win a Palomino World Series. Oldest brother Justin played in 95-96, but missed the crown. A Bellarmine College Prep star, Justin currently plays for the AA Royals. The three Gemoll brothers each played in what is becoming better known as the “Gemollmaden” Little League.

As for Woodruff, though he did not see action in the championship game, his strong right arm was largely responsible for the Red Sox’ victory. During the semifinal game Sunday, Woodruff entered the game pitching with nobody out and the bases loaded. After retiring to the side unscathed, Woodruff closed the game, preserving the save and advancing the Red Sox.

Santa Clara Red Sox Coach Chuck Blair said of his experience coaching Gemoll and Woodruff this summer, “They’re both great players. Darren is extremely athletic and one of the smartest players that I’ve ever been around. Woodruff was awesome. He has the ability to be a pitcher in the pros. Who knows what will happen [with these guys]. If the stars line up right [both have the potential to play in the big leagues].”

Woodruff finished the World Series tournament with two saves in two appearances and four strikeouts in as many innings. Gemoll, a switch hitter, finished the summer hitting .333 with 3 home runs and 24 runs batted in.

—Photos by Justin Petersen