Orange County Player of the Week : Hefler May Retire His Magic Act

John Hefler of Santa Ana High School learned a sleight of hand even the best magic kit doesn’t offer.

Since he was 13, his left shoulder has popped out of socket eight times. After the first time, when a doctor put it in place, he has learned to twist on his left arm with his right hand to realign the shoulder.

It’s a trick that will amaze, but not necessarily delight, your friends at parties.

The first time his shoulder popped, Hefler was in Little League. As he slid head first into third, the third baseman’s knee landed on him, forcing his shoulder apart.

The most recent time was last October.

Hefler was taking a swing in a batting cage when the shoulder slipped out of its socket again.

He calmly took hold of his left arm and twisted it into place.

Again he went to the doctor, told him what happened, but could not show him. Hefler had the shoulder fixed by then.

Only once--the first time it happened--had a doctor seen his shoulder out of the socket.

“It’s not fun to have your arm in a sling for a few weeks,” Hefler said. “But I couldn’t worry about it. I always go all out and if it comes out of the socket it will, but I can’t worry about it. It’s part of life.”

Doctors finally decided in December to operate.

The operation was a success--he returned in time for the start of baseball season--and his shoulder has not come out of place since.

Hefler--The Times Player of the Week--hit two solo home runs last week in the Saints’ 4-3 win over El Modena.

On Friday, he pitched 6 innnings in Santa Ana’s 5-2 win over Villa Park and also had two RBIs.

Hefler’s left shoulder has not been his only physical problem.

During a Big League tournament last summer in Arizona, Hefler’s right arm started to swell to nearly twice its normal size every time he threw.

Conventional coaching wisdom called for ice. That failed, so heat was applied. Hefler eventually went to a doctor. This time, nobody had to take his word to describe his ailment.

His swollen right arm offered plenty of physical evidence.

An examination revealed a blood clot.

“I went to a lot of doctors and they told me to just be normal and don’t do anything, don’t play any sports,” Hefler said. “I cried, I love sports and that’s all I want to do. Especially baseball, this is the one I want to perfect.”

Last fall, the blood clot hardened and he was able to return to the team.

Santa Ana Coach Bill Ross said: “He has a lot of physical ability. He’s hung in there through all the injuries to do a good job for us.”

John Hefler

Santa Ana High School

Position: center field / pitcher

Height, Class: 6-1, Jr.

Last Week: Hit two solo home runs in Santa Ana’s 4-3 win over El Modena on Tuesday. Pitched 6 innings and drove in two runs the Saints’ 5-2 win over Villa Park on Friday.

Season: Has four home runs, is hitting .413 and has a 4-0 record as a pitcher. He also has a team-leading 21 RBIs.