Oaks Christian, which captured its fourth straight CIF Southern Section crown in early December, is expected to send 11 athletes to NCAA Division I programs next season. Among those include quarterback Jimmy Claussen (Notre Dame) and running back Marc Tyler (USC).
Redell was reportedly offered a five-year contract extension by Oaks Christian.
If Redell, who compiled a 46-32-1 record at St. Francis and led the Golden Knights to five postseason appearances, should accept the offer, he would remain at the Westlake Village-based school through 2011.
— Charles Rich
LORETTA SEEKING
NEW DESTINATION
Two-time Major League Baseball All-Star Mark Loretta, who graduated from St. Francis High in 1989, is still searching for a new job.
Loretta, who played for the Boston Red Sox in 2006, is a free agent. According to espn.com, the latest rumor has Loretta possibly joining the rival New York Yankees as a first baseman/utility player.
According to the New York Daily News, Loretta may be the Yankees' first choice to be a utility infielder.
Loretta had hoped to find a job as a regular second baseman, but hasn't.
The 35-year-old Loretta, who has also played for the Milwaukee Brewers, Houston Astros and San Diego Padres, batted .285 with five home runs and 59 runs batted in last season.
According to the New York Times, Loretta's agent, Bob Garber, said he had preliminary discussions with the Yankees, who are trying to decide if they want Loretta as a first baseman.
Loretta has been a versatile infielder throughout his career. He can play all the infield positions and could serve as the backup at third, short or second when he doesn't play first base.
— Charles Rich
HIRSH ISN'T FRETTING
OVER CHANGE OF SCENERY
When 2000 St. Francis graduate Jason Hirsh found out he'd been traded from the Houston Astros to the Colorado Rockies, his first reaction was shock.
