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Brandon's Velez, Saladinos bonded beyond award

 
Tony Saladino II, left, and Tony Saladino III give Antonio Velez the Tony Saladino award as Hillsborough County’s top baseball player.
Tony Saladino II, left, and Tony Saladino III give Antonio Velez the Tony Saladino award as Hillsborough County’s top baseball player.
Published June 27, 2016

BRANDON — Before Sunday evening, Tony Saladino II had presented 45 previous Tony Saladino Awards, given every year to Hillsborough County's top prep baseball player.

Through every one of them, Saladino smiled broadly and gave an entertaining little speech.

On Sunday, for the 46th presentation at his home, Saladino smiled, but this time through tears.

He said this award was about the stats, as it always is, but for him it was also about the character of the young man who won, Brandon senior Antonio Velez.

"After every game I went to this year," Saladino said, his voice cracking, "(Velez) would come running over, jump the fence, shake my hand, give me a fist pump, hug me and ask how I was doing. He cared about how I was doing."

Velez, who was almost speechless after receiving the 3-foot trophy, said he knew how much Saladino was hurting after his wife, Bertha Saladino, died in January at 84.

"I've known the family pretty much my whole life, through Little League (Tony Saladino III was his coach) and in high school," Velez said. "They are like family to me."

Velez, who will attend Hillsborough Community College in the fall, earned the honor after helping Brandon to a 21-7 record and into a region final. Velez, a 6-foot-3 left-hander with a 90-plus mph fastball, threw 911/3 innings with a 10-3 record and 151 strikeouts against 10 walks. He also hit .400 with a .519 on-base percentage and 16 RBIs.

On Sunday, however, he was still surprised when he walked into the Saladino house.

"I honestly had no idea," Velez said. "I thought I was helping with a banquet or something like that. I was stunned.

"What an honor this is. To be named with all those other great players who have won before is so amazing. It's hard to believe."