By Vincent Liu

Town Crier Correspondent

Roux may not be a vocal leader, but his play speaks volumes

Meet Thomas Roux, Los Altos High’s version of “The Quiet Man,” the movie made famous by film legend John Wayne.

While the Duke used his fists and six-shooters to do his talking, Roux uses his feet and bat.

A gifted all-around athlete with speed to burn, Roux dashed and hit his way into four consecutive years of first-team all-league honors in both football and baseball.

Recently, he capped a brilliant high school sports career by being selected the baseball MVP of the SCVAL El Camino Division.

Yet, for all his prowess on the baseball diamond and gridiron, another movie title also comes to mind when describing Roux - “Run Silent, Run Deep.”

When approached about what stands out the most about Roux, his baseball and football coaches had the same immediate reaction: A quiet leader.

“Thomas is one of the most dedicated seniors on the team,” said head football coach Ken Green. “He’s not vocal. As the team captain, he led by example and never gave up.”

The significance of his comment does not become evident until one realizes that the team did not win a single game last season.

On the other hand, the Los Altos baseball team, which has endured some rough seasons in recent years, enjoyed a turnaround the past two seasons. The Eagles made the Central Coast Section playoffs both years and last month won their first postseason game in 18 seasons.

Roux played a key role on both CCS teams and quietly put together a career year to shout about in 2002.

His batting statistics are anything but quiet. He led his team in eight of the nine offensive categories. The only category he didn’t lead was RBIs, which is understandable considering he was the leadoff hitter.

While most teams bat their best hitter third, Eagles’ head coach Sandy Wihtol put Roux in the leadoff spot to take advantage of his blazing speed and ability to make contact with the ball.

“Thomas is a contact hitter. A single is as good as a double,” Wihtol said.

It’s a decision that not only makes perfect sense but paid big dividends. Roux’s 47 runs scored, 25 stolen bases, six triples and .603 on-base percentages over 32 games speak volumes of an old adage: Speed kills. When you throw in his .505 batting average and .841 slugging percentage, you have the making of a complete player.

Roux was an infielder in youth baseball until he broke his leg running track in junior high. His coach put him in the outfield to avoid the sudden movements an infielder has to make that might stress his injured leg. Roux liked his new position and has played there ever since.

Until he broke his leg, Roux was into track and field. He runs the 40-yard dash in 4.4 seconds. While this is no threat to any track records, it is nevertheless impressive by college standards. For opposing high school baseball teams, it’s sheer terror.

During his junior year, he once hit a grand slam, a rare inside-the-park job no less. As the defense was setting up for a play at third base, Roux turned on his jets and darted all the way home to score in front of an astonished catcher.

With this kind of speed and base-running instinct, it’s no surprise that Roux was the only player on the team given the green light by his coach to steal on his own.

“The only time I’d give him a signal on base is when not to run,” Wihtol said.

Blessed with God-given speed and athleticism, Roux also has a good bloodline on his side. His father Henry was a two-sport star in football and baseball. Henry was good enough to have been asked to try out for a minor league baseball team, but decided to pursue a career in law.

Roux credits his father for much of his baseball foundation.

“He coached me through youth baseball and I learned all the fundamentals from him,” Roux said.

While being careful not to influence his son on his career path, Henry was absolutely delighted to learn his son has chosen to play college baseball.

“I’m pleased because Thomas finally settled on a sport that gives him so much pleasure,” the proud father said. “After all, baseball is also what I love the most.”

Despite his impressive credentials, Roux was bypassed by college scouts. He has decided to attend UCLA and make the baseball team as a walk-on.

Before one tags another movie - “Clueless” - on these scouts, Wihtol offered an explanation for the apparent slight. By choosing UCLA, his prized pupil picked a big challenge because these big-time Division I baseball schools usually seek power hitters or dominant pitchers, and Roux is neither.

Nevertheless, Wihtol is confident that Roux will make the team. “Thomas needs opportunities to show his skills and maturity to grow,” he said. “You can’t teach speed. Given the opportunity, he will be a huge asset to any college program and he will open some eyes.” As a former major league player, Wihtol knows baseball talent.

It so happens that challenges are nothing new to Roux. As a sophomore, he started the season 0-for-26 and ended it with a .429 batting average. He sees the UCLA situation as just another challenge to overcome.

“I expect to make the team as long as I get a fair chance,” he said with quiet confidence.

Roux’s father is just as confident, if not more outspoken.

“Thomas thrives under pressure. He’s the most competitive guy I’ve ever seen,” Henry said. “I’m so happy he chose UCLA because I’m absolutely confident he will make the team. He’s focused and relentless, and he won’t give in. I’ve seen this about him all his life.”

To that, a final Hollywood reference will be made: “Father Knows Best.”