SALINAS, Calif. -- He was known as "X" through the halls of Salinas High School. "He was a special player and you knew some good things were going to happen," said Coach Paul MacDonald.
Giants outfielder Xavier Nady played for Coach MacDonald all four years of high school. MacDonald said Nady was a born leader.
"He was a pleasure to have around, not just as a player because he was such an amazing player, but as a person too," said MacDonald.
After going through some old Salinas High Yearbooks, we found out Nady also played basketball in high school.
"X was a quality human being," said Coach Art Hunsdorfer.
Nady isn't the only one with a Central Coast Connection, closer, Sergio Romo's parents were migrant farm workers in Salinas, and Romo recently tweeted that he would spend his summers working here. Proud of his Central Coast connection just like Xavier Nady who's family still lives in Salinas.
Nady still gives back to Salinas High and has ever since he was first drafted by the Padres in 2000. "He always wanted to give back when he became a professional athlete," said Hunsdorfer.
Nady not only donates to the baseball program but offers a scholarship for a student athlete that plays both baseball and basketball.
