Alfonzo, Russell return for Rockers
May 26—HIGH POINT — Givoanny Alfonzo and Michael Russell enjoyed their time playing for the Rockers so much in the team's inaugural 2019 season, they welcomed the chance to return for season two that begins Friday night.
"There was no doubt," Alfonzo said last week during the team's media day. "The only doubt was if COVID was going to let up and allow us to get on the field this season. I had my heart set on coming back. I had been communicating with (manager) Jamie (Keefe) and (bench coach) Billy (Horn) all the way through. I knew I was coming back here as long as COVID held up."
Alfonzo and Russell were regular starting infielders in 2019. Alfonzo saw action in 112 of the Rockers' 140 games and was the team's regular shortstop. Russell played in 75 games after signing on June 12.
Both are expected to be in the starting lineup when the Rockers open at the York (Pa.) Revolution.
"This is where I wanted to play," said Russell, who grew up in Huntersville and played for North Carolina in college. "I'm from here and I love Jamie. The whole coaching staff's back. I had a great time in '19, so there was no reason for me not to come back."
Alfonzo hit .248 with 91 hits, 11 doubles, 19 walks, 47 strikeouts and 30 RBIs in 2019. Russell batted .287 with 74 hits, 12 doubles, four homers, 31 runs scored, 21 stolen abses and 26 RBIs.
With the Rockers' 2020 season cancelled because of COVID restrictions, Russell did play in five games for the New York (formerly Rockland) Boulders of the independent Frontier League.
"I'm just happy to be playing," Russell said. "Last year gave me some perspective. In the past, I'd be really serious about my play performance-wise. Right now, I'm just excited to have the chance to play. You take some things for granted when you play every year since you were four. When they make you take a year off, there's a little perspective. And with the robot umpires (calling balls and strikes), I've got no one to yell at."
Alfonzo, who lived with his parents last year, did not seek to play anywhere last year as a guard against catching COVID. Out of action for 19 months, he received a rude awakening while going through drills on the opening day of preseason camp last week.
"It was a relief but humbling to get back out on the field," Alfonzo said. "I got tired a lot faster than when you just train. You're out with the guys, throwing the ball across the infield and swinging during live (batting practice) and you get tired faster. It sent us back to reality that we're not as good of shape as we thought.
"I've been training like a horse. I did about everything you could do. I put on about 20 pounds since 2019, 20 pounds in a good way. I've been training but nothing compares to doing baseball stuff."
Russell found the early part of camp a little easier than normal.
"Billy was throwing about 55 miles an hour in batting practice so I'll see what happens when the real baseball starts," Russell said.
Alfonzo believes that while most of the faces are different, the Rockers of 2021 are similar to the 2019 team.
"Jamie and Billy always bring in the best guys, and the best team and they worry about the baseball stuff when it happens," Alfonso said.
With the departure of Tyler Ladendorf to the Cubs organization and Class AAA ball, the Rockers currently return six players. The others are outfielder Jared Mitcheel, and pitchers Craig Stem, Brian Clark and Kyle Halbohn.
"With the job Jamie and Billy do, I know this team is going to be good," Russell said.
