Cal Baseball Foundation

Summer 2015 Newsletter

Cal Baseball Foundation Golden Bear News & Notes

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Baseball Foundation 2 T hirty-five years had passed since the University of California 1980 baseball team completed one of the best years in Cal Baseball history with 44 wins and a third-place finish in the College World Series. Prior to the April 11 game vs. Stanford, Cal Baseball fans, alumni, and the 2015 team enjoyed a pregame 1980 video tribute, which revealed highlights of one of Cal Baseball's most successful and tightly knit teams in school history. Twenty-five members of the 1980 team roster, along with their families, returned to celebrate the weekend and reminisce about a cherished time in their lives. "Our reunion was a reminder that we were part of something very special in 1980 that will live with us forever. Regardless of the years that have gone by, we picked up where we left off as if we were still playing in Omaha together. Being part of this brotherhood inspires me every day." –Dan McInerny "Time passes and memories fade, but friendships forged by competing together endure for a lifetime." –Brian Duffy "We accomplished something very few individuals do in their lifetime. I am so happy to be able to share this accomplishment with so many great and caring people. I'm eternally grateful to have big brothers like my 1980 teammates." –Jeff Ronk "The memories of that season and the great people who were part of it were back together sharing memories of a time in our lives we will never forget." –Bob Milano, 1980 Head Baseball Coach "We all knew the 1980 season was a special time in our lives. The reunion reignited our friendships and memories! It reminded us of how connected we were and are to each other and how much we impacted each other's lives." –John Hughes 1980 Cal Ba eball Co llege W orld Serie Te am Reunion (Above left) The 1980 Bears. (Above right) Twenty-five members of the 1980 team returned for a weekend of celebrations. Coach's Corner: Coach David Esquer W hat a year for the Bears! I am so proud of our 2015 Cal Baseball team. Anyone who watched us play knew that this team was special. They are an incredible group of individuals who played together and bonded as brothers. They will never forget their season this year, and although we all would have liked to find a way to close out Texas A&M in the regional final, it was still a great year! I could not be prouder of this team for how hard they played and for what they stood for. The whole Cal Baseball family should be very proud of this group that represented them at the highest level. This year was filled with great moments: the Evans Diamond crowd at the Pac 12 opener versus Oregon, Daulton Jefferies pitching a masterpiece at UCLA, sweeps at Washington and Arizona, Aaron Knapp's two game-winning hits versus Arizona State, and the shot everyone remembers—El Gaucho's (Mitchell Kranson) walk-off extra inning home run at Texas A&M. What a season of memories! I'm sorry to see the season end and our seniors leave us, but the future is bright. With a great crop of freshmen entering and a solid group of returners, 2016 looks just as strong. It will take hard work, focus, and a mission to advance further than this year, but with the experience gained, we will be ready. Have a great summer and GO BEARS! Mitchell Kranson (El Gaucho) blasts a walk off home run in the 14th inning to defeat Texas A&M.

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