ALBUQUERQUE HONERS JORDAN PACHECO AND MATT MOORE

Photo Credit Evan: Jordan Pacheco takes a lead off firstbase Major League weekend 2010 at Isotopes Park

Albuquerque's Jordan Pacheco who was called up to play for the Colorado Rockies in September and Edgewood's Matt Moore who pitched for the Tampa Bay Rays in September where honored last night at the Sheraton Airport in Albuquerque.

I had the chance to exchange a couple of words with each young man and I must say they are both very respectable.

Me and Jordan Pacheco

I had watched Jordan through the years when he played for the University of New Mexico.  So even though I had never met him I felt very proud of him. He represents New Mexico very well and should be a role model for all the young kids growing up in New Mexico who have a dream of playing Major League Baseball.  

University of New Mexico baseball Coach Ray Birmingham said that he predicts Jordan will have a long career in Major League Baseball and then will will return to New Mexico and become Governor.  That's just the kind of personality Jordan has.  His parents did an excellent job raising him.

Jordan made his Major League debut on September 6, 2011.  He played 21 games with the Rockies and ended the season hitting .286 with 14 RBI and two homers.

I will be cheering for Jordan except for when he playing the Dodgers.  I wish him the best of luck.

Me and Matt Moore

Matt Moore moved to a town about 20 miles east of Albuquerque called Edgewood when he was 11.  For those of you who are not familiar with New Mexico that area is known as the east Mountains.  I also grew up in the East Mountains long before Matt moved there. As a matter of fact we didn't even have a little league back then.  So seeing a young man like Matt who grew up in that area having so much success in Major League Baseball makes me proud.  I had never spoken to Matt before last night, but I was very impressed how he interacted with the fans last night.

I had never seen Matt pitch until his first start with the Rays against the Yankees on September 22, 2011.  as a matter of fact I have seen his brother Bobby pitch more than I have seen Matt.  I had followed him through the minors and heard good things, so I was very excited to see him pitch.  He did very good pitching that night going five innings giving up four hits no runs and striking out 11 and walking only one. 

Matt's next start was against the Texas Rangers in game one of the ALDS.  Matt went seven innings gave up two hits struck out six and walked two that day.  He threw 98 pitches 62 for strikes and got the win.

I wish Matt the best and think we will see big things from him in the future.   

Jordan and Matt have set the bar high for those young men from New Mexico who have dreams of playing Major League Baseball, but that's good. I am very happy to see these two local young men succeeding in Major League Baseball.