Fresno City College Athletics hosted their annual alumni baseball game with current players against returning players on Oct. 11. These alumni went back to their alma mater to play the sport that they love.
Anthony Pedrozo is currently a part of the coaching staff of the FCC baseball program and played for the team from 2003 to 2006. He developed many mentors and friendships throughout his time as a student and is grateful for the opportunity to have the experience now being on the staff.
“I joke with the boys and say that my generation was better. But I will say these kids here, probably stronger, faster,” Pedrozo said.
When reminiscing on the time he played for the team he focused on the camaraderie of the players. When he was in school they were all close, just like it is now.
A current outfielder of the FCC baseball team, Dallas Alles, found it cool to see the faces of the people that paved the way for the program to become what it is today. Alles said that these are the alumni that helped set the foundation for him to thrive in.
“You spend so much time with everyone here, it turned into basically a family,” Alles said, “We push each other, and you get a lot better and you win baseball games. I mean that’s always fun to do.”
One family in particular is coming home to a tradition that they have long been a part of.
Steven Gonzales is a former pitcher that played for FCC in 1986. He always wanted to come back and be a part of the game, but got diagnosed with cancer and couldn’t. Now that he is cancer-free, the 63 years-old jumped at the opportunity to return.
“I always jump at the opportunity to play catch with my boys,” Gonzales said. “Being on the baseball field to me, take all the bad juju, everything.”
His two sons Phillip and Gilbert Gonzales were a part of the FCC baseball team during the 2006 and 2007 run, and played in the alumni game. They said that they are blessed to be able to connect and come back to a place that helped shape who they are today.
“This program did wonders for me,” Phillip said. “I became me.”
The alumni feel as if nothing has changed coming back to the dugout that they once lived in. The Ram traditions are very strong which keeps the team together.
“The intensity we had in the dugout, the grinding, the playing, the doing your part as an individual player to get the team a win,” Gilbert said. “Its crazy to see when we’re in the dugout right now it’ll be the same way, even though we’re playing against some younger guys.”
The alumni’s time at FCC went by faster than they expected. As they entered the field again they shared the message of living in the moment and enjoying the teammates around them, while they are still all together.
“Sometimes people look at it as a short race. It’s a marathon, “Phillip said. “You just got to stick with it and continue. You gotta do the marathon.”
All the alumni spoke highly of the legacy that they left, but are also excited to see the team develop under new leadership with Head Baseball Coach Mitch Karraker.
“Mitch is awesome,” Pedrozo said. “If you come here, you’re gonna learn how to compete, you’re gonna develop, you’re gonna get better.”
The crowd was hyped to see this fun matchup. It was not too hot, and not too cold, and it was a perfect day for a fun baseball game.
The game was interesting as the alumni players kept changing positions every time they were up on defense.
Although the alumni won the game against the current FCC baseball team 7-6, it was exciting to see the matchup between the two teams. But no matter the score it was fun to see how much fun the players were having just being out there to play.
The ordinary umpire wasn’t there , it was instead a current FCC player that was the umpire. An alumni hit the only home run hit in the game, and it was a three run score.
Karraker felt like his best players weren’t present in the interest of keeping it a fair game.
“It is the one time the alumni can still think they are good,” Karraker said.
