Player of the Game
9/7/25
Efrain "Papi" Collazo-Rodriguez, #25

September 7, 2025 in Peachtree City, GA wasn’t just another game day - it was a defining chapter in the Atlanta Southsiders 9U season. And at the center of it all stood, #25, Efrain “Papi” Collazo-Rodriguez, the heartbeat of the championship game against the Canes at the Training Legends Tournament. From the mound to the plate, Papi didn’t just play - he showed up.

🎯 On the Mound: Command, Composure, and Clutch

Pitching all four innings of the title game, Papi threw 63 pitches with the focus of a veteran and the fire of a Southside baller. He struck out four, allowed eight hits, and recorded four outs, including a momentum-shifting double play that had the dugout roaring. Every pitch was a battle, and Papi never backed down.

He didn’t just hold the line - he led it.

⚾ At the Plate: When the Beat Drops, the Southside Rises

There’s a moment every Southsider knows. The crowd leans in. The dugout starts bouncing. And then it hits - “Pelotero a la bola” by 8Uno. When Papi's walkout song plays, that’s when the energy cranks up and the boys know it’s go time.

#5 Chris Payne Jr. and #18 Amir Gaston are the first to start jumping, dancing and hyping the crowd with their brother at the plate. The Latin beats pulse through the park, and the Southsiders move in rhythm, embracing every note, every step, every swing. It’s more than music...it's identity, unity, and pride.

Papi stepped up with three chances at bat and delivered two hits, two runs scored, and two RBIs. Every swing was a statement. Every run was a celebration!

🏆 A Defining Chapter

This wasn’t just a win, it was a moment. A memory. A milestone. Papi’s performance etched his name into Southsiders history and elevated the entire team’s season. It was a chapter written with sweat, rhythm, and Southside soul.

Efrain “Papi” Collazo-Rodriguez didn’t just help his team win a championship, he reminded us all what it means to show up, stand tall, and play with pride.

Photos taken by Kenny Revere Jr. https://www.instagram.com/revshot_z/