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CNN Live At Daybreak

Little League Legend Too Old to Play

Aired August 28, 2001 - 07:07   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: He captured the imagination of the nation with a legendary showing at the Little League World Series, but this morning the tale of Danny Almonte takes an uneasy turn.

Almonte wowed fans as he plowed through opposing teams' batting orders, throwing fast balls at nearly 80 miles an hour. He pitched one perfect game for his Bronx team and allowed just three hits at the World Series.

But a "Sports Illustrated" reporter has uncovered evidence that Almonte was too old to play.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

LUIS LLOSA, "SPORTS ILLUSTRATED": In the Dominican Republic, you can declare your child's birth at anytime after the child is born. And what Felipe Almonte, Danny's father, did was register his birth in 1994, and then six years later, register his birth a second time.

The first time he registered him with the correct age, and the second time he had shaved two years off his son's age. And this he did just before he and Danny traveled to the United States, where Danny would play for Paulino's All-Stars.

Now, what Danny Almonte's father did is more sophisticated than what is usually done. What he did was declare him a second time. In other words, you can get a false copy of a birth certificate, but Danny Almonte's father, Felipe, took it to another level by actually declaring him in another town and creating a new original birth certificate, so that it would be hard for anybody investigating to find the document.

(END AUDIO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Jason Carroll is in the New York Bureau of the Bronx with reaction to this story -- Jason, good morning.

JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And good early morning to you, Kyra.

I want to start out by showing you the headlines right here -- the "Daily News." It really says it all. It says, "Say It Ain't So, Danny" -- Danny Almonte, the picture in question on the front page of the "Daily News." A lot of people out here in the Bronx are simply having a tough time believing that all of this is happening just after this victorious game that this team had played.

And I've got three people here. I've got Elaine here on the end. I've got Andy here, and Bobby here. This morning, we have been talking about all of the developments.

I'm going to start with you, Andy. When you first heard about this -- Bobby, I'm going to start with you -- what were some of the thoughts that went through your mind?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, the first thing was that I was a little disappointed -- a little shocking. After all, rules are rules. But I think he did a superb job, a phenomenal job, and I will definitely support the team. You know, this is a time when you band together.

CARROLL: Well, this -- the whole thing comes down to the birth certificate. And which birth certificate is the accurate one? I know that we have a copy of that birth certificate -- we're going to show you now as I pitch this question to you. Whether or not the boy turns -- is 14 or 12, does it make a difference to you in terms of how he performed?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: As far as his performance, no, of course not. But the age wise is a big difference, especially when you're playing Little League ball. Two years is a big difference -- 12 to 14 is a big, big difference.

CARROLL: Disappointed?

ANDY: Well, we don't know if it's true, so...

CARROLL: And Elaine, let me get to you very quickly here. Again, you say it's all about fair play.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.

CARROLL: And in terms of fair play, if the boy is 14?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: If the boy is 14, then the wins should be disallowed. It's unfair to the other players. We are proud of them. They did a wonderful job. But they should abide by the rules.

CARROLL: All right. Thanks very much. The three of you, thank you very much -- have a very good morning.

Again, tomorrow out here right along the Grand Concourse, which is behind me, they are going to have a parade for these team members. And as the team comes by, Kyra, you have to wonder what some of the people out here in the Bronx are going to be thinking about that pitcher -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: And those teammates too -- Jason Carroll, thanks so much.

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