View Full Bio. Class 3A was then the second-largest classification in the University Interscholastic League. By 1967, they had won a staggering seven of them. Langerhans, a 1968 South San graduate, attended the University of Texas and became an All-American. Education reporting that makes an impact in our community. Brian was also a lover of jazz music, specifically the works of pianists Duke Ellington and Count Basie, and also had an affinity for rhythm-and-blues virtuoso Ray Charles. We never expected not to win state.. When I told Guerra during our telephone interview that school administrators could have sold a few bags of popcorn for that game back in the day, he laughed. So, I wasnt mentally sure I was going to make the team. Bob Brian, an innovative baseball coach who flourished at South San Francisco High School, died at his South City home Sunday from complications of Parkinson's disease. Find a Pitching Coach - National Pitching Tom House Sports LLC Everything was in place, plus we loved to play. You go all the way. Why? Gustafson died Jan. 2 at age. A private burial service will be held for immediate family. On 4/17, the South San Antonio varsity baseball team won their home conference game against Southwest (San Antonio, TX) by a score of 6-5. Led by legendary coach Cliff Gustafson, who went on to a hall-of-fame career at Texas, South San Antonio won its first state title in 1958 and started a dynastic run thats never been equaled in state high school baseball history. Brian is a member of the California Baseball Hall of Fame, the American Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame and the San Mateo County Sports Hall of Fame. I couldnt get through by just telling em, Gustafson said. When I got to Highlands and baseball season came around, I saw the postings for the tryouts, he said. My house or my beach? Yes, the coaching had a lot to do [with the success on the field], but it takes a lot of good things going on [at the same time]. While the college baseball season has ended, the TCU Baseball coaching staff just got even more coaching experience with the hiring of Dave Lawn.The former assistant head coach has over 30 years . Shepperd made his remarks as he surveyed a field filled with his grandfathers former high school players. Highlands made history when it became the first San Antonio team to win state in the UILs largest classification. You win. South San Antonio ISD Baseball: Honors 0 Athletes/Coaches received Honors in 2021-2022 View current 2022-2023 Honors. South San set to honor legendary coach Cliff Gustafson who died in Jan He was awesome. Mike Finger arrived at the Express-News in 1999, and has spent more than two decades covering professional and college sports, including the San Antonio Spurs and the Texas Longhorns. And if you were on the bases in front of them, on any passed ball or wild pitch, you had to look out or youd have some guys running up your backside.. He taught us a lot about manners, about punctuality. At the high school level, many elements enter into the picture of championship programs. But the Bobcats didnt win much in 1955, and thats when Gustafson noticed his friend, basketball coach Jimmy Littleton, putting his players through a prolonged series of drills, each focused on a specific fundamental part of the game. Giants farm director Carl Hubbell paid a visit to his home to tell him that he had been released. We didnt do a lot of coaching, but we saw the kids and we knew, from the time they were 8 or 9 years old, the ones that were going to develop into good high school players.. View Baseball Coaches Now. Even when I see them today, I still see them in those heydays because of all the blood and sweat, and all the rundowns and all the hot days. South San High School head football coach Phil Barron has been placed on administrative leave with the start of the regular season a little more than a week away, KSAT has learned. Lou Lucca said Brians brilliance was in his teaching players how to compete. For Langerhans, the 1975 season was his last as a professional ball player. Gustafson knew his players long before they set foot on the South San campus, and also got to know many of their parents. Led by legendary coach Cliff Gustafson, who went on to a hall-of-fame career at Texas, South San Antonio won its first state title in 1958 and started a dynastic run that's never been equaled. Today, Guerra is a hard-working man. His reward for the winners of various games? However, he was far from finished with baseball. Bakich met with media Thursday to debrief on the 2023 season, which ended in an NCAA Tournament regional. Of course, we had the coaches to guide us. There was an error processing your request. Stay Connected. We just had this close-knit team and had been playing for years together, Leal said. For everyone to come out and show up like they did, it was just really special to our family, he said. Raul Zamora, from left, Robert Zamora and Bobby Lara all went on to play college baseball after starring on state-championship teams at South San. S.A. workforce down a bit in June, but ahead 28,000 jobs Why gas prices are up in San Antonio, and how you can Case manager bemoans Buc-ee's janitors getting paid more One arrested, one at large after kidnapping Monday morning, Reporter: Tony Bennett sang 'Happy Birthday' for me when I was 10, Cibolo PD honors North Texas deputy killed on duty Friday, Bexar County sheriff's deputy charged with child indecency. With Salazar on the mound for key games down the stretch, the Bobcats won the sixth of their seven championships, Gus gave me a ball [signed by all the players], and they dedicated the game to my dad, the 1967 South San grad said, his voice cracking with emotion. Go Shopping on the Avenida Paulista. A pitching matchup of Langerhans vs. Guerra, perhaps. Keefe Field. Former Boston Red Sox slugger Mo Vaughn thriving as collegiate baseball The thing that I think is great is that we didnt have much over here, but we still were able to succeed. Former University of Texas baseball coach Cliff Gustafson won two national titles with the Longhorns and seven high school state titles while coaching at South San. The team won seven state championships in 10 years from 1958-67 under the direction of Cliff Gustafson, Friday, Aug. 17, 2007. Seven players from the 1967 team Langerhans (UT), catcher Dennis Magro (UT), second baseman Mike Markl (UT), Salazar (UT), center fielder Casey Sanchez (Pan American), shortstop Frank Tondre and Raul Zamora (Baylor) went on to play for Division I schools. Raul Zamora, from left, Robert Zamora and Bobby Lara, played on championship baseball teams at South San under legendary coach Cliff Gustafson. He succeeded Mel Barborak as South San baseball coach in the fall of 1954. A winning strategy: Former University of Texas baseball coach Cliff Gustafson won two national titles with the Longhorns and seven state titles at South San. I sat there and watched that movie and I almost cried because so much of it was reminiscent of what it was like at South San in those days, Gustafson said. said: Success! Brian. Im glad my brother Tony was on that team, and then [brother] Robert was right in the middle, so I was able to work both ways to see how many of the players we could find.. Bobby Lara, a pitcher who played on the 1958 and 1959 state titlists, said the importance of Gustafsons summer program cant be overstated. South San Antonio High School has always held a special place in legendary baseball coach Cliff Gustafson heart for a number of reasons, and now that community and the city of San Antonio mourns the passing of the beloved former Bobcat coach. We didnt have a real Little League. Not making the playoffs motivated the boys to dedicate themselves to getting better and practicing harder, he said. For instance, during the 1966 playoffs, the father of the teams star pitcher passed away. Please reload the page and try again. He loved the game so much, said Lou Zuardo, Romans predecessor as El Camino manager. Conversation about the 1968 Highlands team reminds me of Virgil Peterson, their assistant coach. It was a common sight to see Brian in a safari hat pushing a wheelbarrow of baseballs to the pitchers mound, where hed set up his pitching machine for daily batting practice. We still see each other in those playing days of high school. 2008 marks the 50th anniversary of South San winning the first of seven state titles in 10 years under Gustafson. A memorial service for a future date has yet to be announced. Now you see it. With a game rained out and players from both the Amarillo and San Antonio teams visiting a club on the south east side, a shooting incident ensued. He holds the California record for most years coaching a varsity sport (47). Theres a lot of sacrifices that are made not only by players, but also by others who help them and support them.. After three seasons of A-ball at Reno in the California League, Langerhans moved up to the Indians Texas League team in San Antonio. Im going, What in the heck are you doing here? . Gustafson and Littleton, now deceased, did all the legwork for the youth leagues, registering players, assigning coaches and even umpiring games. He went on to become one of Brians prized pupils, and one of the finest players South City ever produced. Yeah, that would have really been something to see, Guerra said. (The shooter) ran in and started (firing). Thats why we were so dang good. He was special. Sue, The Shadows was near the St. Matthew's Hotel on 2nd ave, with Dave Rasmussen of VW fame lurking.Hmmm, Livingston's?Roos Atkins became the, Mr. Donnely - Great Article and very important questions to city leaders. To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account. 10 Cliff Gustafson began his career trying to be just like his coaching hero. Langerhans, now 70 and retired from high school coaching, punctuated the second championship by throwing a no-hitter in the title game. Had control of all his pitches.. He said he thinks he was about 10 years old when he first got to know the coach. Gustafsons emotional bond with South San transcends sports. Former Baylor University standout Raul Zamora, the youngest of four Zamora brothers who attended South San, worked to organize the search for former players so they would know about the event. Gustafson built baseball dynasty at South San, San Antonio Park Police officer arrested, charged with DWI. He was just 23 years old when he became head coach for the Bobcats. No one could beat us. Another Zamora brother, Tony, who graduated in 1955, was a standout shortstop for four seasons and played for Gustafson as a senior. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. You could see the average players become good players.. 2008 marks the 50th anniversary of South San winning the first of seven state titles in 10 years under Gustafson. Lefty John Langerhans, who also played first base, threw a no-hitter in the final. I had to have surgery to repair a few things. F: 210-977-7358. 27 The Sandoval siblings made history in August 2001 when they became the first quadruplets born in San Antonio in the 21st century. View Full Bio. The Cliff Gustafson-coached South San Bobcats, featuring Langerhans as one of the team's top pitchers and hitters, won consecutive state titles at the Class 3A level in 1966 and 1967. With old Mission Stadium on the south side shuttered, it seemed in some ways as if the game had turned its back on the Alamo City. Try to keep that good attitude. I had to show em.. It was just the attitude that Gus built. It means youre helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. His insistence that players should play baseball year-round was controversial in many circles, but he was diligent in this approach. Add in the financial issues, and it didnt bode well for the Bobcats. Thanks, Mark. Recent & Upcoming Games View Full Schedule . Baseball, in the big picture, seems almost insignificant. Associate Head Strength & Conditioning Coach. But I was all right. All participants were sworn to secrecy. Copyright 2022 Finalsite - all rights reserved. Skip To Main Content . Known as Mr. When I was coaching [basketball] at Lee [High School], I used the phrase and Im sure I heard it here If yall dont do it right, well be here til dark-thirty, 1962 South San grad Newton Grimes said. A few passing clouds. Could high school games be played with empty bleachers? - mySA He would give us the scouting report. Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window). There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. Now 84 and living in Austin, Gustafson has 17 trips to the College World Series and 1,466 Longhorns victories to look back on. P: 210-977-7400. Feb 23, 2023 | . He graduated from University of California, Berkeley, in 1949 then took his first teaching job at Gustine High School in Merced County in 1950 before relocating to South San Francisco four years later. Zamora was one of at least three of Gustafsons South San players joining Langerhans and Casey Sanchez who went on to become successful high-school coaches. Some of the greats of the game in San Antonio were not on social media, so it was a challenge to locate them. Alumni such as John C. Garcia from the storied high school took to Facebook on Monday to share their condolences to Gustafson and remember the man who's often credited with teaching the fundamentals style of baseball called Gus Ball.. But we were perfectionists at it.. Barborak helped build the foundation for the success that would come later, leading the Bobcats to UIL regional championships in 1953 and 1954. Gustafson said his mind flashed back to his days at South San when he saw the movie McFarland, USA, starring Kevin Costner, earlier this year. HELEN L. MONTOYA, STAFF / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS. Richies curve ball was similar to that. Former South San players on hand were a roll call of the greats led by Gustafson, who won seven state championships with the Bobcats: Tony Zamora, who played on the coachs first South San team in 1955. The baseball field at Burton Park in San Carlos is named for Flanagan. He was picked up in the second phase of the 1972 draft, selected on the second round, by the Cleveland Indians. Sport . Brian, who is always ready to talk baseball, will undoubtedly remain a fixture among area baseball parks. When Brian retired in 2001, it was former South City Athletic Director Matt Schaukowitch who took over the team. We also realize how important teachers and principals are in making sure that students are allowed the opportunity to participate with great academic success as well.. South San Antonio High School Baseball Coach Receives Recognition For I guess we were lucky. And he not only innovated a unique style of play in the high school game, but helped build little league baseball throughout the city. I just feel very bad for everyone, he said. And, so, its just a shame that this is happening and that its happening in all sports.. Alabama Baseball: Tide land Gardner-Webb transfer pitcher A product of UIW and the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, he previously worked at the Seguin Gazette covering sports around Guadalupe County. On 3/24, the South San Antonio varsity baseball team lost their away conference game against Southwest (San Antonio, TX) by a score of 3-1.