A school of about 2,000 students in a town of just over 85,000 right outside Los Angeles has produced the best two third basemen currently playing in major league baseball, maybe ever.
“I just appreciate his game,” said Arenado of Chapman.
He also has nine National League Gold Gloves, one for each of his nine seasons in the bigs.
“When I see him,” beamed Arenado, “I think how impressed I am with his work, the way he goes about his business and obviously the way he plays the game.
“I think we’re different kinds of athletes in our own way,” said the 29-year-old.
“There’s no one even close to them,” raved Jays pitcher Ross Stripling, who was an NL West rival of Arenado’s for the four and a half seasons he played for the Dodgers while Arenado was with Colorado.
And to be fair, the only reason people say that is because it’s absolutely true.
“I’ve always looked up to him,” said Chapman, “and been excited to take the field against him.
“A lot of credit goes to Mike Gonzales, our head coach,” Chapman said.
