Chris Alleyne continues a legacy in UMD baseball

Chris Alleyne, UMD baseball outfielder, proudly plays with a new number on his jersey. (Maryland Athletics)

In 2021, Chris Alleyne had the opportunity to start his professional baseball career in the MLB, but decided to stay one last year with the Dirty Terps. This last season did not only extend Alleyne’s time with his teammates, but also gave him the opportunity to be part of a University of Maryland baseball tradition.

Ownership, toughness and growth mindset are the three fundamental pillars of the UMD baseball team. Those pillars are represented in the number three jersey and worn by a player that embodies them.

Assistant coach Anthony Papio said the number had not been worn in a couple of years. “We didn't think anybody was really ready to wear that number, to represent those three things at the time,” he said.

Papio wore the number first back in 2015. Since then, the three pillars have evolved.

In Spring 2022, Alleyne, also commonly known as Bubba, started wearing the number three. Papio said that decision happened after some players brought the idea to the coaches. Past players who have worn the number participated in the discussion.

Alleyne said he grew into that role in the five years he’s been with the team. “They awarded me that number, for representing [the pillars] well, which is something I can definitely say I didn't do as a freshman and sophomore,” he said.

When asked how Alleyne represents each pillar, Papio had a quick answer.

“I think the first thing you think of when you talk about Bubba is: ‘the guy is extremely tough,’ ” said Papio. “That's the one that we see when you watch him play the game.”

He added that toughness in the program is also seen in the players’ response to adversity.

Alleyne came to the team as an infielder and was asked to move to an outfielder position for his second season at UMD. Papio used this example to showcase how Alleyne has a growth mindset.

“That was something that you didn't really have a choice, we asked him to go play out there. He did that without batting an eye and it's been an unbelievable asset,” Papio said.

The third and final pillar is ownership.

“Bubba has made his fair share of mistakes. Things don't go his way. He's always willing to take ownership for the things that he's come up short on. And he's not pointing the finger at other people, not blaming on priorities, not blaming his teammates,” Papio said.

“That's important on the field and off the field,” said Alleyne. “You gotta be able to hold each other accountable for that. And that starts with owning what you do, whether you're doing good or bad. So, you can move on from those mistakes and get better and grow.”

Leslie Gordon is Alleyne’s mother and she said that seeing her son wearing the number three is nothing new. She explained that all the way from elementary school to high school, Alleyne always wore the number three. Once he got to UMD, he was not allowed to wear it, until now.

“For him to own this,” Gordon said about the number, “he knows what comes along with it. There's a greater sense of responsibility that he has to take on.”

For the Dirty Terps, wearing the number not only means recognition for representing the pillars, it also makes the player a leader within the team.

“Off the field,” Alleyne said about the expectations of the position, “it's kind of just to hold people accountable, hold myself accountable for what we're supposed to be doing.”

Alleyne added that he wants to be there for the other players. “It should be someone they can come to off the field if they need anything … Be that reliable guy that some of the younger guys might need if they're struggling,” he said. “Because that's what I had when I was a freshman and sophomore.”

Papio said, “I think he's [Alleyne] done an unbelievable job of building a really good relationship with his teammates.” He mentions how other players lean and go to him when they are struggling or are not sure what to do to improve on the field.

“That means there has to be a greater sense of control of your emotions, your reactions and responses as a leader,” Gordon said.

Infielder Matt Shaw (left) and Alleyne (right) celebrate on the field. (Maryland Athletics)

Dirty Terps’ pitcher Sean Heine has known Alleyne for over six years. Even though Alleyne is from Philadelphia and Heine from New Jersey, they met while in high school and played together in a travel team. When Heine came to Maryland as a freshman, Alleyne was a sophomore and they’ve played together since.

“It's a lot to handle,” Heine said, “but I think he's done a great job representing what it means and he's taken it fully head on.”

This is Alleyne’s last season with the team. He became a Dirty Terp his freshman year at UMD in 2018 and five years later, it will soon come to an end.

“It's cool and sad at the same time,” said Alleyne, “knowing that it's gonna be my last year for sure playing here.”

Gordon said that it’s a blessing when someone gets to live out their dreams, “When you get to take your passion, and you get to make that your career. I mean, that's like gravy, right?”

She also called his time in Maryland a gift and a blessing.

That happiness is also reflected on the team.

Papio said Alleyne has had a big influence on his teammates.

“I think you can ask anybody up and down our roster,” said Papio. “They'll be the first ones to tell you that guy has had a big impact on their careers, who they become as baseball players and honestly, who they become as people even beyond the baseball field.”

“Chris has been a great friend of mine for four years,” said Heine. “Bubba has done a great job wearing number three and being a team captain.”

With the year coming to an end, Alleyne does not regret his decision of staying an extra year. “It's probably the best decision I've ever made,” he said.

The next steps in his career are not set in stone. Alleyne said he thinks professional baseball will be the move. “But just taking it a day at a time right now and just kind of seeing where things go,” he said.