Valentino Dismissed by Crossroads, Becomes St. Bernard Assistant Coach

By Mitch Chortkoff

A year ago Rudy Valentino lost his job as Crossroads High's baseball coach, then got it back.

It had been said Valentino was too hard on youngsters but he received surprising support from parents. He had to interview for the job again and was re-hired for his fourth season.

This time Valentino is out. He was fired and has become an assistant coach to Bob Yarnall at St. Bernard.

``I was given the option to resign but there was no way I was going to do that,'' he told Terry Johnson of the Santa Monica Bay Week newspaper. ``I felt that would be telling the kids I was quitting on them.''

Valentino said he insisted on termination.

``Quitting is not what I teach the boys. It was a difference of ideals and mannerisms between myself and Crossroads. It was tough but they felt they needed to make a change.

``Crossroads is a great school. I've had three kids go there.

``I would have had 13 boys returning next season. It would have been the best maturity and talent I would have had, but that's not going to be. Instead I have another great opportunity.''

It might have been different if Crossroads had a more successful baseball season. The team went 11-11 and finished fourth in a league they've dominated the last 15 years. The Roadrunners failed to make the playoffs.

Valentino had high hopes. Before the season he said the team should compete for the league championship.

``We couldn't get everything going at once,'' he said. ``Sometimes the offense and pitching would be there but not the defense. Sometimes we'd have the defense and pitching but not the offense. We just didn't perform on the field.''

Now Valentino looks ahead to St. Bernard, which also has a proud baseball tradition. Last week star centerfielder James Tomlin was picked in the seventh round of the Major League Baseball Draft.

``I'm excited to be there,'' said Valentino. ``The parents will see what I give the kids and how much I care.''