2009 Year In Review:

GLENDALE — The last half of 2009 brought many surprising results and stories.

The area saw Crescenta Valley High graduate and former phenom Trevor Bell make his major league debut with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and former Glendale Community College standout Freddy Sanchez appear in his third All-Star Game in four seasons before being dealt by the Pittsburgh Pirates to the San Francisco Giants in July.

The Crescenta Valley High boys’ water polo team saw its bid to win a second consecutive CIF championship fall short during a memorable and historical boys’ water polo season that saw Glendale also advance to the semifinals and Hoover make it to the quarterfinals during a season in which Hakop Kaplanyan set a CIF Southern Section record for most goals scored in a season.

The Glendale Community College women’s cross-country team won its second state championship in three seasons, led by Nina Moore, who won the individual crown, as well.

And, in the annual “Battle For the Victory Bell,” Hoover turned the long standing war in its favor with a win against archrival Glendale.

SUMMER

MAJOR LEAGUE

BASEBALL

The 2009 Major League Baseball season featured its share of local flavor and flare.

Trevor Bell, Gregg Zaun, Freddy Sanchez, Mark Loretta, Marco Estrada, Brandon McCarthy and Juan Castro all played in the big leagues this past season.

Crescenta Valley graduate Trevor Bell made his big-league debut Aug. 12 against the Tampa Bay Rays. In front of 37,859, Bell had a no-decision in the Angels’ 5-3 come-from-behind victory. He allowed four runs on nine hits, while striking out four batters and walking but one over 5 1/3 innings.

Zaun, a St. Francis High graduate, was traded in August to Tampa Bay from the Baltimore Orioles. He signed as a free agent during the offseason with the Milwaukee Brewers.

Sanchez, a former Glendale Community College player, appeared in his third All-Star Game in July before being dealt in July to the San Francisco Giants by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Loretta, a St. Francis High graduate, and Castro, a Glendale resident, helped the Los Angeles Dodgers win the National League’s West Division and advance to the league’s championship series. Loretta and Castro became free agents after the season with Castro signing on with the Philadelphia Phillies.