Baseball: Kennedy’s Manny Alvarado is facing suspension

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Longtime Granada Hills Kennedy Coach Manny Alvarado has been told he will receive a three-week suspension without pay for an incident in November when a player was injured during a fight while Alvarado wasnearby in the school’s weight room, according to a person with knowledge of the situation who did not want to be identified because it is a personnel issue.

Alvarado is expected to appeal the punishment. He declined comment Thursday night. He’s also a counselor for a magnet program at the school.

Alvarado, Kennedy’s coach since 1988, has guided the Cougars to five City Section baseball championships.

Supporters at Kennedy are concerned that Alvarado’s job could be in jeopardy. A school official characterized the episode to parents as a ‘hazing incident.’ Alvarado was put on administrative leave, then returned in December.

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

A Kennedy teacher, in an email, wrote that Alvarado is ‘a dedicated servant of the community who has done so much for so many kids, not to mention the game of baseball.’

-- Eric Sondheimer