Tale of the Talented Malibu 6

Turn back the clock to the start of the third millennium. The year 2001. That's when half a dozen little boys from Malibu, all around 6 years old, began a baseball journey in Malibu T-ball, into Little League and then Pony Baseball, an adventure that could be about to culminate in their greatest success yet.

These six boys were teammates and friends back when they were just learning to run, field and hit. And now, as the 2012 high school baseball season arrives, they are still together today. Still teammates, the Malibu 6. All seniors now, and the nucleus of what should be best baseball team in many years.

After dominating both summer and fall offseason baseball with a record of 18-5, these current Sharks opened their 2012 spring season with a stunning doubleheader sweep of Santa Monica High, a Division I power. Although it was considered a preseason scrimmage and thus not an official result, the Santa Monica coaches were effusive in their praise of both the Malibu 6 and the clearly noticeable turnaround in the talent and performance of the Malibu team.

"Those guys are real legit," said Santa Monica head coach Kurt Schwengel. "It's amazing what they're doing with those kids up there." 

Led by the Malibu 6, fast friends and still teammates a dozen years later, the Sharks open the season officially today and tomorrow against St. Monica's and Sierra Canyon of Chatsworth. Introducing the Malibu 6:

• Evan Anthony, 18, outfielder and catcher. Anthony is a middle-of-the-lineup power presence who has committed to play both baseball and football at Tufts University.
• Mark Stevenson, 18, first baseman and designated hitter. Stevenson is the Sharks' cleanup man and top home-run threat. He is also a nationally accomplished trumpet player who will choose from a list of college opportunities that include prestigious schools such as Julliard and the London Academy of Music.
• Jordan Simon, 17, second baseman. Simon is a left-handed No. 2 hitter and the Sharks' fastest player. He recently committed to play Division I baseball for the University of Nevada Reno.
• Matt Gruskin, 17, pitcher, catcher and infielder. The Sharks' most versatile performer, Gruskin is the team's No. 1 pitcher and No. 3 hitter in the lineup. He should be a candidate for Player of the Year in the Tri-Valley League.
• Hunter Johnson, 17, outfielder, catcher and DH. Johnson is a strong right-handed hitter and middle-of-the lineup bat who will play both baseball and football for Macalester College.
• Harry Macalevey, 17, pitcher and second baseman. Macalevey is both a valuable arm as the Sharks' third starter and also the team's top utility infielder.

"These kids, our Malibu 6, are amazing kids," said Sharks head coach Ari Jacobs. "Their comfort with each other, the fact they've known each other, played together and been friends for so long, is a big reason why our team chemistry is so good and why we believe this could be a very good year for our program."   

—Ted Green, senior sports producer for KTLA News and assistant coach for the Malibu High varsity baseball team