Game of love & loss: Chavez shows resiliency on diamond
Manteca High senior Chris Chavez steps into the batter’s box during a Valley Oak League contest at Patterson High. (JAMES BURNS/The Tower)
By DAMARIAE LONG
The Tower
Manteca High School baseball player Chris Chavez is carrying on the legacy of his late cousin with every swing of the bat. The loss of his cousin, Manuel Ortega, has deeply impacted Chavez, changing his perspective on life and fueling his passion for sport.
The loss of his cousin, a devastating blow to anyone, left Chavez reeling. He found himself adrift, unable to find solace in the activities that once brought him joy. The familiar routine of his life felt hollow, and the future seemed uncertain.
Baseball, his lifelong passion, became a source of both comfort and agony.
The game that had once been a sanctuary now echoed with the absence of his biggest supporter. He could hear his cousin's cheers in the stands, feel his presence in the dugout, and the weight of his loss became a heavy burden on his young shoulders.
“Every time before I get to bat, I write an ‘M’ in the ground as a tribute to him, so that I feel like he's there with me, and in my presence, you know, telling me that everything is going to be alright, and just to shake it off, and you got this,” he said.
Chavez discovered a resilience he didn't know he possessed. He channeled his grief into his game, using baseball as a way to honor his cousin's memory. Each swing of the bat, each catch in the outfield, became a testament to his unwavering love and support. The field became his refuge, a place where he could find solace and purpose amidst the pain. He began to see his cousin's spirit in every aspect of the game, from the camaraderie of his teammates to the thrill of a well-executed play.
Manteca High senior Chris Chavez is playing in honor of his late cousin, Manuel Ortega, using that loss to fuel his final high school season. Chavez is a returning all-Valley Oak League performer. (JAMES BURNS/The Tower)
The game, once a source of pain, became a source of healing. He found himself playing with a newfound intensity, fueled by the desire to make his cousin proud. The weight of his grief, though still present, became a motivator, driving him to push himself beyond his limits. With each successful play, he felt a sense of accomplishment that extended beyond the baseball diamond, a sense of purpose that filled the void left by his cousin's absence.
“We trained side by side, damn near our whole life,” Chavez said, “and that was baseball-wise. But it changed my perspective on life a lot, you know, like appreciating the little things you have in life while you have it now because you never know when it's going to be gone."
Through the first six games of his senior season, Chavez, powered by the loss of his cousin, is hitting .333 and leads the team in runs scored (8). He also ranks among the team leaders in hits (6) and stolen bases (2).
“Chris has always been a bright light, but after losing his cousin, it was like a part of him went dark,” said Noah Alejandro, his brother/close friend. “He's always loved baseball, but it wasn't the same. He just wasn't himself. But then, something changed. He started playing with a fire I hadn't seen before. It's like he's found a way to channel his grief into his game.
“Seeing him out there, giving it his all, it's both heartbreaking and inspiring. He's found a way to honor his cousin's memory, and I think that's what's giving him the strength to keep going.”
Through baseball, Chavez not only overcame his grief but also discovered a deeper connection to the game. It became a symbol of his resilience, a testament to his ability to find strength in the face of adversity. His journey, a poignant reminder that even in the darkest of times, hope and healing can be found in the most unexpected of places.
“It's OK to cry and mourn the family,” he said, “but after that, use it as fuel. You know, dedicate what you got going on (to) the person you lost, to the sport you love the most, and just keep pushing.”
“It’s OK to cry and mourn the family, but after that, use it as fuel. You know, dedicate what you got going on (to) the person you lost, to the sport you love the most, and just keep pushing.”