IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers HOLDING DOWN THE FORT—Simi Valley High senior Chris Talley is a leading hitter for the Pioneers. If John Rambo played baseball, he may have aspired to be like Chris Talley.

Talley, a senior outfielder and catcher for the Simi Valley High baseball team, picked up the nickname "Rambo"—an iconic Sylvester Stallone character— from his teammates.

"He gives everything he's got on every single play," head coach Matt La Belle said. "He's not afraid to put his body on the line."

But underneath the stoic game-face and chiseled jaw of "Rambo," there's another side of Talley.

Talley is the son who kisses his mom goodbye every day before heading off to school. He's the teammate who requests to be removed from blowout wins so bench players can get at-bats.

He's the player who is thankful for playing baseball.

The Pioneer knows what it's like to have the game taken away. Near the end of his sophomore season, Talley tore the labrum in his right shoulder while sliding to steal second base. Although he earned first-team Marmonte League honors, he missed the entire postseason.

Talley, 19, only pinch hit or worked as a designated hitter the next year as a junior. He didn't play defense in the field because coaches were reluctant to let him throw.

He had one pinch hitting appearance in the playoffs when the Pioneers won the CIF-Southern Section Division I championship.

"Last year was definitely humbling," Talley said before a Tuesday afternoon practice. "It shows you how much you missed the game."

Instead of regressing, Talley has rebounded from the setback with gusto. He called the injury the most memorable moment of his playing career because of the way he changed for the better.

"I thank God for that experience," the slugger said. "Before the injury, I took a lot for granted. Without everything I've been through, I wouldn't be out here working 10 times harder."

Entering the week, Talley led the Pioneers with nine doubles, and was second with 22 RBI and 25 runs scored.

Talley plays in right or left field and catches when fellow senior Drew Sandler pitches.

La Belle said Talley has "tremendous power" hitting oppositefield shots.

"He's playing very well," La Belle said. "He's a guy we can count on every time. He's been a consistent hitter since he was a sophomore. . . .

"He's just very aggressive," the seventh-year coach said. "He's the type of guy who would run through a fence to catch a fly ball or make the heroic slide. Behind the plate, he gets dirty and blocks everything. I don't think we need to give him any gear, because he'd block the plate anyway."

Sandler said he's played with Talley since they were 8 or 9 years old. He's been impressed with Talley's resilience.

"On the field, he competes all the time," Sandler said. "He does everything he can to get better."

And Talley's nickname is appropriate.

"It's just his intensity," Sandler said. "It's his facial expression is serious. His attitude is: He's got to get the job done no matter what."

Talley also comes from a baseball family.

His brother David, 26, played baseball at Royal High. David Talley is now a high school umpire. Talley's sister, Jennifer, 23, was a scorekeeper while attending Simi Valley. His parents, Terry and Irene, also support his love of baseball.

His favorite memory on the diamond was hitting a gametying grand slam against former Newbury Park ace Andrew Lambo, now a top-flight prospect with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Talley hopes to make more good memories this year—perhaps have more of a say in the Pioneers' postseason fortunes— but he's happy just playing.

"I think that's what everyone wants, to get a CIF championship," Talley said. "I want to earn my ring. . . .

"It's hard to ask for a lot. I can just be grateful for what comes to me. I'll just keep playing hard. If good things come, they come."