Cal Baseball Foundation

Golden Bear News & Notes 3 Alumni Spotlight Blake Read: Pitcher's Mound to Pediatric Surgeon I n September 2000, Blake Read, a San Diego native, came to Berkeley with two overriding ambitions: the first, to pursue a pre-med degree, and the second, to make the Cal Baseball team as an academic walk-on. Both medicine and baseball were lifelong passions. Blake's interest in medicine was inspired by his grandfather, who was one of the first interventional radiologists in the United States. But his passion for baseball was something he couldn't escape. Following success on the field during fall try-outs, Blake put Read was an integral member his pre-med program on hold. of the Bears pitching staff. Pre-med courses were replaced by studies in the English department, and when the conference season started in February, Blake established himself as an integral member of a pitching staff that, combined with a potent offense, carried the Bears to post-season play in the Baton Rouge Regional. For four years, Blake excelled on the diamond and in the classroom, lettering twice (2001, 2004), completing his B. A. in English, and earning First Team Pac-10 All-Academic honors. Having risen to the challenge of Pac-10 baseball, Blake knew there was no reason he could not successfully resume his medical studies. Gaining admission to Columbia's post-baccalaureate pre-med program, Blake threw himself into his courses with the same determination that he had shown at Evans Diamond. After Columbia and a summer medical mission to Central America, Blake moved to Jefferson Medical College (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) for clinical training, where he established himself among the top students in his class. Blake's hard work and talent earned him the opportunity to return to the Bay Area to begin his residency in the nationally respected general surgery program at Stanford Hospital. At Stanford, Blake met his future wife, Amelia Clark, an ENT—head and neck surgery resident. Well on his way to completing his residency and finally realizing his longtime dream to be a pediatric surgeon, Blake looks back on his Cal Baseball experience as the foundation for his future success in the operating room. Coach's Corner: Coach David Esquer F all classes have begun and so have workouts for the 2013-14 Cal Baseball team. With senior leadership in the field and on the mound, game-tested veterans among juniors and sophomores, and a great class of incoming freshmen, we are excited about our prospects for the 2014 season and are focused on returning to post-season play. All those who made it out to Evans Diamond last year saw a new era of Cal Baseball inaugurated with night games and great game-day events for all ages. With non-conference opponents Texas, Arkansas, and Tulane, in addition to conference foes UCLA, Oregon State, Arizona, and Washington coming to Evans Diamond, fans can expect more great baseball this year! In addition to school and workouts, Cal Baseball will again be out in the community assisting at Memorial Stadium on all football game days with hospitality and information services, and helping with meal service at the Oakland Food Bank prior to Thanksgiving. As we look back over the 2013 season, we congratulate and extend our best wishes to graduating seniors Ryan Wertenberger, Ryan Sandler, Seth Spivack, Justin Jones, and Logan Scott. We also congratulate Andrew Knapp (junior) who leaves the program to start his professional career with the Phillies organization. Many of our alumni continue to excel in professional baseball: Allen Craig (All-Star, St. Louis Cardinals), Tyson Ross (San Diego Padres), Josh Satin (New York Mets), Bryan Price (Cincinnati Reds pitching coach), and Jim Eppard (Los Angeles Angels ML batting coach). Brandon Morrow (Toronto Blue Jays), John Baker (San Diego Padres), and Brennan Boesch (New York Yankees) also spent a portion of their seasons in the major leagues. Major League Baseball debuts in 2013 included Jeff Kobernus (Washington Nationals), Marcus Semien (Chicago White Sox), and Erik Johnson (Chicago White Sox). Alumni in the minor leagues include Dixon Anderson, Austin Booker, Michael Brady, Mark Canha, David Cooper, Charlie Cutler, Mitch Delfino, Joey Donofrio, Matt Flemer, Matt Gorgen, Brian Guinn, Brett Jackson, Chadd Krist, Danny Oh, Chris Petrini, Tony Renda, and Blake Smith. In our next newsletter, I look forward to introducing the 2014 squad and sharing some of the highlights from our fall workouts. Go Bears! Mark Your Calendars for 2014 Friday, January 24 First Pitch Scholarship Dinner, Berkeley March 7-9 Cal Classic Tournament, Evans Diamond Sunday, February 9 Fan Fest, Evans Diamond March 14-16 Pac-12 Conference Opener vs. UCLA Friday, February 14 Season Opener vs. Texas

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