By Jim Hague
Chevy Chase made a bomb of a movie in the 1980s that was entitled, “The Incredibly Shrinking Man.” Rick Moranis was involved with a Disney flick that was called “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.” Both movies were about people decreasing amazingly in size.
Well, when it comes to the Lyndhurst baseball team, they have a standout player who has gone in the opposite direction of those two aforementioned movies. Instead of shrinking, senior Kevin Rehbein has grown and grown, in almost unfathomable proportions.
When Rehbein entered Lyndhurst High School three years ago, he was just a little wisp of a kid, standing perhaps five feet tall and barely breaking 100 pounds. He was destined to be a scrappy middle infielder, much like he was during his days in Little League.
Last year, as Rehbein entered his junior year, he stood perhaps 5-foot-7 and weighed about 140 pounds soaking wet.
“I always thought I was going to be one of the short kids,” Rehbein said. “But everyone told me that I would grow.”
Rehbein was a member of the Golden Bears’ varsity baseball team as a junior and also was a fine guard on the basketball team.
However, Rehbein enjoyed a massive growth spurt between his junior and senior year. He grew from 5-foot-7 to over 6-foot and added 50 pounds of muscle.
“All of the coaches recommended that I hit the weight room, considering I had so much growth,” Rehbein said. “I worked out five days a week lifting to get stronger. I worked pretty hard, going five days a week. All the coaches stressed it and it worked out well. They knew what they were talking about.”
Lyndhurst head baseball coach and athletic director Butch Servideo recognized the amazing growth in Rehbein during the basketball season.
“I saw it on the basketball court, how much he matured and became more athletic,” Servideo said. “His body matured and developed. I said that he was going to have a great year in baseball.”
Rehbein was one of the leading scorers on a Golden Bear basketball squad that went from being winless two years ago to winning the NJIC Meadowlands A Division title.
Rehbein hit a clutch jump shot to defeat Becton Regional to clinch the league title.
But no one could have ever predicted what Rehbein would become on the baseball field.
In the early stages of the high school baseball season, Rehbein has developed into a pure slugger, a power hitter supreme.
“In the past, I wasn’t able to hit fly balls out of the infield,” Rehbein said. “Now, I’m hitting it hard. It’s like I’m a totally different person.”
Just last week, Rehbein had a stretch of games that most power hitters simply dream of.
In one game against Becton Regional, Rehbein hit two homers and drove in the game-winning run with a double, collecting four RBI.
“I never hit two homers in a game in my life,” Rehbein said. “Not even Little League.”
Then, facing previously undefeated Secaucus, Rehbein had three hits, including two doubles and another homer and three RBI in a 12-0 win. Rehbein had eight hits in 10 at-bats for the week.
For the season, Rehbein is now hitting better than .500 with four homers and 12 RBI, leading the Golden Bears to an impressive 5-1 start.
For his efforts, Rehbein has been selected as The Observer Athlete of the Week for the past week.
Servideo said that he is obviously pleased with Rehbein’s growth – as a player and as a young man.
“He’s worked tremendously hard,” Servideo said. “He’s definitely exceeding the expectations. I mean, he’s crushing the ball. I said it would happen, but it’s another thing to see it happen. I just hope it continues.”
Rehbein can’t believe his transformation.
“I’m actually astonished,” Rehbein said. “I never imagined that I could improve this much. I am usually just trying to get a hit. It’s astonishing to me to hit the ball and just see it go. I used to hit little dunkers and grounders. It amazes me to see what’s happened.”
Servideo has a deal with his players. If they hit a homer, Servideo buys them breakfast. If they drive in the winning run, it’s a breakfast as well.
“Well, Kevin broke the all-time record, getting three breakfasts in one day,” Servideo said.
“I told him I’ll let him off easy, if he buys me dinner and a movie,” Rehbein laughed.
Servideo can’t sing Rehbein’s praises enough.
“He’s the nicest kid,” Servideo said. “He’s one of my captains. He does all the little things you want a kid to do.”
For example, last Saturday morning, Servideo conducted a clinic for 50 or so youngsters. And Rehbein was right in the middle of it, helping to instruct the little kids. After all, he was once just like all of them.
“Kevin was a big part of the clinic,” Servideo said. “I can’t speak enough about how hard Kevin works. He’s just a great kid.”
Servideo is convinced that Rehbein can play college baseball.
“Without a doubt,” Servideo said. “He’s only going to get bigger and stronger. He can play all the infield positions and he’s our hardest thrower as a pitcher. He can defi – nitely play in college.”
Rehbein serves as the Golden Bears’ closer, coming in to shut the door in tight situations.
“At first, I wanted to be a starter,” Rehbein said. “But now, as a closer, I can pitch every day and still play the field. I’d rather be in the lineup than be in the bullpen.”
That’s even more important when Rehbein has a bat in his hands.
“I can’t believe all of this, but I have to keep a head on my shoulders,” Rehbein said. “I have to stay focused and keep working hard. I hope I can do it all season, for me and my team. I want to play in college, so if I get noticed from all of this, it would be a lot better. It’s just a great feeling.” As long as he continues to grow, both on and off the field, Kevin Rehbein will do just fine.
