Baseball: Kennedy’s Manny Alvarado is put on administrative leave

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Longtime Granada Hills Kennedy Coach Manny Alvarado said he was told not to come to work on Tuesday after the school began an investigation into an incident last week in which a student was severely injured while Alvarado was in the school’s weight room.

‘I guess I’m being investigated for something,’ Alvarado said.

Two baseball players were apparently outside the weight room, hitting each other, in what one parent said a school official termed a ‘hazing incident.’ One student suffered severe injuries.

Alvarado, who said he did not see the incident, has been put on administrative leave, something that has riled Kennedy parents. They met with Principal Suzanne Blake on Tuesday.

‘Manny is being held accountable for one kid’s bullying action,’ said Monique Villalobos, mother of shortstop Andrew Pacleb, who was not involved in the incident.

Alvarado, who has been Kennedy’s coach since 1988, winning five City Section championships, is also a dean and counselor at the school.

‘I’m kind of disappointed in my administration that they would think I would put my kids’ safety in jeopardy,’ he said.

Kennedy Athletic Director Kevin Kanemura said he could not comment. Principal Blake said she could not comment.

From my perspective, Alvarado is as first class as they come. And he said, ‘I’ve got nothing to hide.’

-- Eric Sondheimer