HS BASE: Longtime Valley figure Magdaleno dies

Rojello "Rocky" Magdaleno, a longtime community baseball figure and the grandfather of 10-year Major League pitcher Russ Ortiz from Montclair Prep, died Tuesday. He was 84.

Magdaleno lettered in baseball and track at San Fernando High, served in WWII, and coached at various youth leagues in Van Nuys, North Hills and Encino. He also worked as a letter carrier.

"He had an influence on hundreds of kids," said grandson Shad Ortiz. "We did not have a dad in the picture, and he stepped up to be our father figure and male role model. I remember playing catch with him in our front yard in Van Nuys and going to Buddy's bataway on Van Nuys Boulevard, where it was seven pitches for a quarter."

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com