DOWNEY - Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria, a Downey native who honed his slick fielding skills on the infields of local baseball diamonds, will serve as celebrity grand marshal at the Dec. 7 Holiday Lane Parade on Downey Avenue.

Longoria burst into the majors in remarkable fashion this season, capturing the American League Rookie of the Year Award and helping lead the Rays on an improbable run to the World Series, where he broke the record for most home runs in a postseason by a rookie.

Longoria grew up in Downey and began playing baseball with West Downey Little League, where he was coached by Herb Welch. Longoria attended St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower, where he lettered in baseball for four years.

After graduating, Longoria spent a year playing shortshop for Rio Hondo College, and played well enough to earn first-team All-State honors.

That summer, he was offered and accepted a baseball scholarship to Cal State Long Beach, and transferred there as a sophomore.

Longoria played third base for the Dirtbags, and hit .320 to earn a place on the All-Conference team. In 2006, he was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays with the third overall pick of that year’s draft.

Longoria made his major league debut April 12 of this year. Two days later, he hit his first career home run against the New York Yankees at Tropicana Field.

He finished the season with 27 home runs and 85 RBIs.

Maria Larkin, chairman of the Holiday Lane Parade, confirmed Longoria’s participation this week. She also thanked Mayor Pro Tem Mario Guerra for his role in securing the All Star.

“The parade committee wouldn’t have gotten him without Guerra’s help,” Larkin said. “We’re very excited to have Evan as our celebrity grand marshal.”

The parade is sponsored by the Downey Chamber of Commerce and begins at 1:30 p.m. on Downey Avenue on Dec. 7. The annual event is free.

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Published: November 28, 2008 - Volume 7 - Issue 32