Baseball Foundation
Golden Bear News & Notes
ALUMNI ISSUE
July 2015
Volume 2, Issue 3
Seniors
Chris Muse-Fisher,
Dylan Nelson, and
Chris Paul were
honored in a special
pregame ceremony
this spring.
HONORING OUR NEWEST GRADUATES ON SENIOR DAY
O
n a monumental day in which the No. 22 California Golden Bears (3217, 16-10 Pac-12) evened the series with the No. 15 USC Trojans (3517, 16-10 Pac-12) by winning 7-5 on Sunday night at Evans Diamond,
three graduating seniors were honored in a special pregame ceremony.
• Chris Muse-Fisher – Pitcher, 2015 Pac-12 Conference baseball
All-Academic team
• Dylan Nelson – Pitcher, 23 appearances, 2-1, 2.93 era, 8 saves
• Chris Paul – First Base, 2015 First Team All-Pac-12 and Pac-12
All-Defensive Team, and ABCA/Rawlings Second Team West
All-Region
seventh on a two-out RBI double by junior outfielder Brian Celsi. Paul had
singled to open the inning and advanced into scoring position on a sacrifice
bunt by junior outfielder Mitchell Kranson. Celsi then put a charge into a
Tyler Gilbert offering deep into the left-center field gap off the glove of
Stahel. Cal then added an important insurance run in the bottom of the
eighth on a sacrifice fly by Paul to push the lead to 7-5.
Each senior played a big part in Sunday’s victory. Paul drove in three runs,
going 2-for-4 on the day to help lead California offensively. On the mound,
Muse-Fisher logged 3.1 innings and allowed two earned runs on one hit
with three strikeouts. Closer Nelson earned the save with two spotless
innings, including a 1-2-3 ninth to close out the pesky Trojans.
“It means that much more on senior day,” Paul said following the win.
“Having my family here, it was a really fun day, and it was even better that
we got the win. This is the best team I’ve been on since I’ve been here. As
a senior, you want to leave the program better than you found it. It looks
like that’s the case and it’s awesome.”
USC opened strong, leading the Bears 2-0 in the top of the second, but
the Bears battled back in the bottom of the second to seize a 3-2 lead.
California mounted a two-out rally in the bottom of the fifth to take a 5-3
lead. Junior outfielder Devin Pearson hit a double off of the left field wall
to start things for the Bears. After sophomore third baseman Lucas Erceg
drew a walk, Paul laced a two-run double into the left field corner to move
the Golden Bears in front.
Head Coach David Esquer reflected on this incredible group, saying,
“This senior class is small but very special to me. They agreed to come
after a very difficult period in Cal history and committed themselves to
getting the program where it belonged. Through perseverance, maturity,
and leadership, they helped bring our team to the regional finals this past
season—a great accomplishment and even greater when you understand
their journey to get there. They leave with knowledge that with hard
work, commitment, and perseverance, they can lift any team they’re on to
great heights.”
USC fought back to tie the game at 5-5 in the top of the seventh frame
with a two-spot of its own. The Bears retook the lead in the bottom of the
Nelson shut the door with a six-out save (his eighth of the year), and the
Bears evened the series at one game apiece, retiring the Trojans in order in
the top of the ninth.
Baseball Foundation
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College World Series Team Reu
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(Above left) The 1980 Bears.
(Above right) Twenty-five members of the 1980 team returned for a weekend of celebrations.
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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 a 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
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!
mission to advance further than this year, but with the experience gained,
we will be ready. Have a great summer and GO BEARS!
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
Mitchell Kranson (El Gaucho) blasts a walk off
home run in the 14th inning to defeat Texas A&M.
Golden Bear News & Notes
3
Brent Woodall Honored by
Coaches, Teammates,
Family, and Friends
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Bears in the Bigs
n Saturday, May 2, the Cal Baseball program held
O
a special ceremony at Evans Diamond prior to the
game vs. Arizona State to honor former Golden Bear,
Brent James Woodall, one of Cal Athletics’ premier
two-sport athletes of the past generation. Brent was
among the 2,977 victims of the attack on the World
Trade Center in New York City on September 11,
2001.
Brent came to Berkeley from La Jolla High School
in September 1988 and lettered in both football and
baseball. As a rugged tight end for Bruce Synder’s bowl-winning teams
of the early 1990s, Brent excelled in blocking for Cal’s powerful running
game led by 1,000-yard rushers Russell White and Anthony Wallace.
Brent was also a clutch receiver, recording 55 receptions for 565 yards
and four touchdowns during his career at Cal. Playing for Bob Milano’s
1992 CWS team, the 6-foot-4-inch, 240-pound left-hander provided
strong relief out of the bullpen, recording one strikeout/inning, while
posting a 3:38 ERA in 10 2/3 innings.
Academically, Brent epitomized the best of the Cal student-athlete
tradition. In 1990, he received the Frank Storment Award for the
Most Outstanding Student-Athlete from Southern California. In 1991,
he received the Andrew L. Smith Scholarship Award for Academic
Excellence. Brent completed his undergraduate studies in 1993, earning
his degree in business from the Haas School of Business.
Brent was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 17th round of the 1992
June amateur baseball draft. Pitching in 1993 and 1994 for the Cubs A
level clubs, Brent appeared in 47 games and continued to notch better
than one strikeout/inning. A shoulder injury ended his baseball career
after the 1994 season.
Need Caption
roving that a top academic institution can also produce top
Pfollowing
professional athletes, the Cal Baseball program showcases the
five former standouts who are all currently on rosters for the
2015 Major League season:
Brennan Boesch #27
Team: Cincinatti Reds
Position: Right Field
MLB Experience: 2010-15
At Cal: 2004-06
Tyson Ross #38
Team: San Diego Padres
Position: Right-Handed Pitcher
MLB Experience: 2010-15
At Cal: 2006-08
Mark Canha #20
Team: Oakland Athletics
Position: First Base
MLB Experience: 2015
At Cal: 2008-10
Marcus Semien #10
Team: Oakland Athletics
Position: Shortstop
MLB Experience: 2013-15
At Cal: 2009-11
Brandon Morrow #21
Team: San Diego Padres
Position: Right-Handed Pitcher
MLB Experience: 2007-15
At Cal: 2004-06
In 1995, Brent moved to New York to start his career as an equities trader
with Keefe, Bruyette & Woods. On that fateful September day in 2001,
Brent was at work on the 86th floor of the South Tower, and like so many
others, he did not survive the attack. Brent is survived by his wife, Tracy,
and his daughter, Pierce. Two weeks later, family and friends started
the Brent Woodall Memorial Scholarship Fund, which annually honors
Golden Bear student-athletes.
“Woody represented all that is great about Cal Baseball. A man of multiple
talents, tremendous intellect, and a fantastic person and teammate. For
his peers and Cal Baseball family to recognize his brief yet tremendously
impactful life was a humble reminder of the true value of being a Bear.
I can truly speak on behalf of all who attended and those who were
unable to do so, that it was a great honor to represent his legacy and
share that special day with his family. It was a day we will not soon
forget and are so glad that future generations of Bears and their fans will
be able to share his story via his memorial plaque behind the press box.”
–Mike Lawn, Team Captain
Cal Baseball family and friends enjoy a tailgate at Texas A&M.
f
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Facebook CalBaseballFoundation
calbaseballfoundation.org
Twitter @CalBaseballFNDN
Cal Baseball
Foundation
Sponsors the Cal
Baseball Career and
Business Network
Initiative
W
hile the Cal Baseball Foundation continues
to support players on the field, they are
equally committed to helping them off the field.
On April 22, 2015, the Cal Baseball Foundation
sponsored the first Cal Baseball Career and
Business Network Initiative event. With the
exception of four players, the entire team and
some recent alumni attended the event and heard
from Steve Etter, a professor at Haas Business
School, and Kevin Maas, a Cal Baseball alumnus
who had a career in Major League Baseball
and is now in the business world. The students
then gathered in small groups to further discuss
networking, resume preparation, and how the
skills they learn as student-athletes translate into
lifelong skills.
Dave Esquer and the coaching staff were very
supportive of this initiative. Special thanks
go to the many people who made this event
possible: Initiative Chairmen Gus Panagotacos
and Gwyn-Mohr Tully; Cal Baseball parents,
Roslyn Payne, Lori Lawn, and Kriste Buckley;
and the folks who led the small group discussions:
Bob Milano, Mike Lawn, Brian Coburn, Ryan
Robertson, Alan Metheny, Adam Gold, Andrew
Sproul, Drew Payne, Ben Liepman, Kevin Maas,
Matt Cody, and Sam Petke. Additionally, Diane
Milano helped with the coordination of the
operations/facilities at Cal.
Baseball Foundation
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3470 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Ste. A-110
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Chairman Stu Gordon expressed plans to host a
follow-up meeting in the fall and will continue to
strengthen ties to alumni as we work to help the
student-athletes on and off the field.
More than 800 books were collected and donated to the East Bay Children’s Book Project.
From Our Players
“Thank you for setting this up.
It was fun and informative.
Look forward to more in the future.”
“I wish you guys did this sooner.”
“This was an awesome idea and
program…extremely helpful.”
Join our LinkedIn group and be
on the lookout for the next event!
www.linkedin.com/groups/Cal-Baseball-CareerBusiness-Network-2974989/about
I
Cal Baseball Teams up with East Bay
Children’s Book Project
n combination with the Cal Baseball Fan Fest
(a free community day at Evans Diamond
when families come and enjoy activities on the field with
the players) this year, with the
help of Scholastic Inc., Lerner
Publishing from Minneapolis,
and the Cal Baseball players’
families and attendees, the
team collected and donated
863 books.
The East Bay Children’s Book
Project makes books available to children in
need through teachers, social workers, health
care professionals, community outreach groups,
housing authority employees, and police officers who all help out by distributing the books
to children. The books are
used by schools, daycare and
community centers, homeless
shelters, and hospitals to create
libraries at their sites.
A big thanks to Jacqui Celsi,
Coach Esquer, and Ann Katz,
executive director of the East
Bay Children’s Book Project. By
being a leader in Cal sports, Cal
Baseball has started a new tradition, which reflects
its commitment to excellence and community.