Who's the greatest high school baseball player to ever come out of the lohud area? That's the question we're putting to you, our readers, as part of USA Today Sports' celebration of the nation's 250th anniversary. From modern standouts to legends of decades past, the local diamond has produced an incredible wealth of talent—and we want you to decide who tops them all.
Our poll, running until 8 p.m. on May 27, features 12 standout names, though we could easily have included 20 or more. Don't see your favorite? You're welcome to write in your own choice—just be sure to note which school they attended. The selections are grounded in high school performance, which means some players who went on to Major League success didn't make the cut. Take Ken Singleton, for example. The former first-round Mets draft pick (No. 3 overall in 1967) became an Orioles star and later a Yankees announcer, but his high school playing time at Mount Vernon was limited. He famously launched a 450-foot home run off the centerfield clock tower at Mamaroneck—using a wooden bat—but his path to the pros came through a high-level Bronx baseball league. So, while he's a three-time MLB All-Star with over 2,000 career hits, his high school resume kept him off this list.
Capsule summaries below vary in detail, with more recent players having richer statistical records. But every name here left a mark on local baseball history. Take North Rockland's Algozzino, for instance. His glory years were largely confined to high school, but what a run it was. The left-handed pitcher finished his Red Raiders career a perfect 24-0. As a junior in 1992, he tossed a complete game to lead North Rockland to its first-ever state championship in any sport, an 11-3 win over Lockport. The following season, he went 8-0 with an ERA under 1.00, held batters to a .190 average, and struck out better than one per inning. He also hit .353 that final year while playing center field. That's the kind of all-around excellence that defines local legends.
Whether you're a fan of power hitters, crafty pitchers, or two-way stars, this poll has something for everyone. Cast your vote and help us crown the best all-time lohud baseball player. And if you're feeling inspired by these local heroes, why not gear up like them? Check out our selection of baseball apparel and equipment to bring a little of that championship spirit to your own game.