Santa Clara Broncos baseball


The Santa Clara Broncos baseball team is the varsity intercollegiate baseball team that represents Santa Clara University in NCAA Division I college baseball. Santa Clara Baseball competes in the West Coast Conference, of which the Santa Clara Broncos were a charter member. The Broncos play their home games on campus at Stephen Schott Stadium, which opened in 2005. The Broncos and are led by head coach Rusty Filter, in his first season.
Having begun play in 1883, Santa Clara is currently in its 129th season of varsity baseball, and has enjoyed a long history of baseball excellence. Santa Clara has won 11 Conference Pennants, and appeared in 12 NCAA Tournaments, including a runner-up finish in the 1962 College World Series. Individually, 34 Broncos have been named All-Americans, and 158 players have been drafted in the MLB Draft, with 48 players making it to the Major Leagues.

History

The early years

Baseball is the oldest sport at Santa Clara, with the first recorded season coming in 1883. Prior to that, Santa Clara students had long engaged in baseball games against one another. Santa Clara's first intercollegiate baseball game came in 1883, when the Jesuit fathers finally allowed Santa Clara students to take an overnight trip to play fledgling Saint Mary's College, then located in San Francisco. Santa Clara lost the game, but began an athletic relationship with Saint Mary's that has blossomed into one of the oldest and most heated athletic rivalries in the west. For years, it was a long-standing tradition for Santa Clara and Saint Mary's to play on St. Patricks day. Early opponents like Pacific, and Stanford remain fixtures on Santa Clara's baseball schedules 125 years later.
The seriousness that the students and administration gave to baseball is reflected in the caliber of coaches that were hired by the school. Early managers like Billy Hulen, Joe Corbett, Jay Hughes, Jimmy Byrnes, and Patsy O'Rourke were all former major league players who had made the trek west to coach baseball at what was the known as Santa Clara College.
Santa Clara's Frank Arellanes was the first Hispanic professional baseball player, who played for the Boston Red Sox in 1908. Another Bronco baseball player from the early period was Harry Wolter, who recorded the first hit in then-new Fenway Park as a member of the Red Sox. Elmer Stricklett, who played at Santa Clara and made his way to the Major Leagues, is considered the inventor of the spitball.
The most notable contributor to Santa Clara Baseball was 1898 graduate Charlie Graham. A Santa Clara native, Graham played two years of baseball at Santa Clara, returned to teach Latin and Greek, as well as coach from 1901–1903. Graham then embarked on a baseball career which saw him rise from obscurity in the western minor leagues to becoming the starting catcher for the Boston Americans, and star pitcher Cy Young. Unfortunately, Graham was heartbroken by the news of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, ending his career only a few months into the season. He returned home, and ultimately became the owner of the San Francisco Seals, and donated generously to Santa Clara and the baseball program. The University's largest dormitory, Graham Hall, is named in his honor.
Due to the nature of College Baseball in the Pre-War years, Santa Clara had no conference affiliation and made no post-season appearances in the early years, as those things had yet to come into existence. However, the competitiveness of the Santa Clara teams from prior to 1946 is exhibited in the number of Major League players produced in this period, notably Harry Wolter, Elmer Stricklett, Hardin Barry, Justin Fitzgerald, Hal Chase, Charlie Graham, Tillie Shafer, Frank Arellanes, William Hogan, Erv Kantlehner, Frank Shellenback, Bevo LeBourveau, Bill Lawrence, Jim O'Connell, Marv Owen, and Les Powers.

Wartime cancellation, post-war success

Santa Clara was forced to cancel the baseball program for two seasons, 1943 and 1944, due to wartime restrictions and a devotion of resources and manpower to the war effort, though baseball remained a popular form of recreation on campus.
Following the end of the war, Santa Clara returned to the diamond and found immediate success under John "Paddy" Cottrell, who coached the team from 1946 to 1951. Cottrell retired in 1951, but after watching Santa Clara languish under subsequent coaches, the University and Alumni asked him to come out of retirement in 1961. With Cottrell at the helm things began to fall into place for Santa Clara.
Santa Clara, along with Stanford, California, USC, and Others, formed the California Intercollegiate Baseball Association in 1960. For the first time in their already 80-year-long history, Santa Clara baseball had a conference home. The CIBA stood as one of the preeminent baseball conferences, and allowed Santa Clara to recruit the highest possible caliber of player. Though Santa Clara stumbled in Cottrell's first year at the helm, in 1962 the Broncos jumped out to an impressive start, and held the #1 spot in the polls for almost the entirety of the 1962 season. The baseball crazed Bay Area, who had just received their first major league franchises a few years earlier, lent their full support to the Broncos. During this season, Santa Clara games were first made available by radio broadcast. Led by five future major leaguers – Bob Garibaldi, Ernie Fazio, John Boccabella, Pete Magrini, and Tim Cullen, the Broncos found their way to the College World Series finals. In heartbreaking fashion, Santa Clara fell to Michigan on a 15th inning passed ball. Bob Garibaldi was the College World Series MVP, and became the first player to have a million dollar signing bonus.
The success of the 1962 Broncos helped spur the fundraising efforts that lead to the building of Buck Shaw Stadium, home to Bronco baseball from 1963 until they moved to a baseball specific venue in 2005, Stephen Schott Stadium. John Cottrell, in his second stint as the Bronco manager from 1961–64, amassed a 102–44 record, good for a.699 winning percentage. Collectively, the Broncos won nearly 70% of their games from 1961–1979.

Taormina takes over

He was followed as manager by Sal Taormina, who went 511–249 from 1965–1979, a.672 winning percentage. "Dirty" Al Gallagher, a future major leaguer, helped ease the transition from Cottrell to Taormina.
The CIBA Era ended when the WCAC, the former name of the modern WCC, began sponsoring baseball in 1968. The Broncos reeled off Conference championships and NCAA tournament appearances for four consecutive years, followed by three straight second-place finishes, setting the early tone that Santa Clara would be a name to respect in WCC baseball. To date, only Pepperdine holds more League Titles, NCAA Tournament Appearances, and College World Series Appearances than the Broncos.
In his final year as Head Coach at SCU, Taormina took the Broncos back to the NCAA tournament in 1978.

Hot and cold

After the retirement of Coach Taormina, the Broncos were led by Al Endriss and Jerry McClain, neither of whom could replicate the success that Coach Taormina had sustained over his tenure. Santa Clara, however, found a dependable manager once again when alumnus John Oldham took the reins in 1985. Oldham would coach the Broncos for 12 seasons, leading SCU to 4 NCAA tournaments appearances, first in 1988, and then in 1994, 1996, and 1997. Notable players to play for Oldham include John Savage, Randy Winn, and San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom. Santa Clara's Randy Winn, who also played basketball for the Broncos, enjoyed a decade long Major League career, and helped lead the Broncos to the NCAA Tournament in basketball in 1994.
For 8 seasons, from 1977 to 1984, the WCAC ceased to sponsor baseball, and the Broncos found a home in the NCBA, the Northern California Baseball Association. Santa Clara and rival Fresno State dominated NCBA competition, as the Broncos and Bulldogs were the only teams to win the NCBA championship while the league existed. Santa Clara won the league twice in their stay, and appeared in the NCAA Tournament in 1978. In 1985, the Broncos returned to the WCAC, which shortened its name to the WCC in 1988.
Santa Clara's success has been peculiar, as in the NCAA tournament era, the Broncos have been coached by 11 men, but only 4 have taken the Broncos to the Tournament- Bill Leonard, Paddy Cottrell, Sal Taormina, and John Oldham. Still the Broncos 12 NCAA tournament trips ranks good enough for second all-time in the WCC. Santa Clara's baseball team has enjoyed periods of being both hot and cold, the history of Santa Clara baseball can be summed as having sustained success and NCAA tournament appearances under those four long tenured coaches, but sitting on sitting on the outside looking in while coached by anyone else.
In 1998, Santa Clara introduced Mark O'Brien as head coach. O'Brien would stay until 2011, in a tenure characterized by tantalizingly close results, with many years finishing in the top third of the conference, but never winning a conference title or making an NCAA tournament trip.
Despite a string of 4 consecutive 1st and 2nd-place finished from 2001 to 2004 under Mark O'Brien, Santa Clara has not returned to the NCAA tournament since 1997. While at the helm of the Broncos, Mark O'Brien and his staff were said to have struggled to compete in recruiting while playing at the outdated multi-purpose Buck Shaw Stadium. Santa Clara responded by building the $8.6 million Stephen Schott Stadium, a 1,500 seat state-of-the-art baseball specific venue that is one of the finest facilities of its size on the West Coast. The stadium was financed in large part by Santa Clara Alumnus Stephen Schott, a varsity baseball player in 1960, and at that time, owner of the Oakland Athletics.
However, the push to the top that the University and boosters expected from the new facility didn't materialize. From 2000–2004, the last seasons at Buck Shaw, the Broncos never finished lower than third place. However, when the Broncos moved to the new Stephen Schott Stadium, Mark O'Brien never lead the Broncos to anything higher than third, and twice finished as low as eighth. Since playing in a conference for the first time in 1960, the Broncos had never finished lower than fifth, and that had only happened three times in the 45-year span of conference play prior to moving to Schott.
Because of these disappointing results for the historic program in a brand new facility, Mark O'Brien was fired in 2011 and replaced with longtime UCSD manager, Dan O'Brien, no relation.
Mark O'Brien's tenure was not without notable products—Santa Clara's Daniel Nava made an improbable run from SCU baseball manager to a contributing player on the 2013 Red Sox, who won the world series, and Santa Clara's Tommy Medica made his MLB debut in 2013 for the San Diego Padres.

Dan O'Brien and the "relentless development" era

Dan O'Brien, the 43rd manager of the Santa Clara Baseball program, came to Santa Clara from University of California, San Diego, where he was a player, assistant coach, and then head coach for a total of 16 seasons. O'Brien had led the Tritons from Division III to Division II, building the program into a national championship contender. He had led the Tritons to the NCAA Division II baseball tournament six times, and twice to the Division II College World Series, finishing as runner-up in 2010.
O'Brien began the task of rebuilding the Bronco baseball program, leading the Broncos to a 26–28 record and a 9th-place finish in the WCC. Following the loss of the top five pitchers from 2012, Santa Clara sank to its lowest baseball nadir, finishing in last for the second year in a row with a 1–23 mark in the WCC. Despite the early rebuilding struggles, in 2014 O'Brien guided the Broncos to a 16–11 record in league play, their best record in the WCC since 2003, which earned them their first ever berth in the WCC Baseball Tournament. The four-team tournament was introduced in 2013, replacing the two-team championship that the conference had used since 1998. The appearance in the WCC Tournament marked the first time that Santa Clara had appeared in the post-season in 16 years.
O'Brien vowed to return to Santa Clara to the baseball prominence it had enjoyed for nearly 110 years prior to the struggles of the Broncos since the retirement of John Oldham. O'Brien placed an emphasis on constant player development, with a system he called "relentless development". In addition, O'Brien felt that Santa Clara had shifted away from the old-school baseball mentality that once had characterized the program. As a result, Santa Clara introduced throwback uniforms in the 2013 season which were based on the uniforms worn by the Broncos in the late 1930s.

Rusty Filter Era

Rusty Filter was brought in as the 44th manager of the Santa Clara Baseball program in June 2017; after spending the previous eight years at Stanford where he was among the top pitching coaches in the nation. In his first season at the helm, Filter led the Broncos to a 26-26 record and a 6th place finish in the WCC, doubling the Broncos win total from the 2017 season. The Broncos could not build on the season in 2019, finishing the season with a 12-40 record overall, including 5-22 in WCC play, leading to finishing 10th in the conference. With two years two learn Filter's style of play, and 18 seniors on the roster, the Broncos got off to a hot start to the 2020 season with a 12-5 record. Two of the 12 wins were against top 25 teams in #25 Stanford at home and #3 Georgia on the road. Just before conference play started, the NCAA canceled all spring sports for the remainder of their respective seasons due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was announced in May that 15 of the 18 seniors would be returning for their extra year of eligibility in 2021, granted by the NCAA to all spring athletes.

Santa Clara University conference history

The Santa Clara Baseball team played their home games on campus at Buck Shaw Stadium from 1963 to 2004. Prior to 1963, Santa Clara played their games at the extant Washington Field, a large diamond located on the campus of Santa Clara High School, now Buchsher Middle School. A new era for Santa Clara University baseball began on April 30, 2005 with the sold-out opening of Stephen Schott Stadium. The $8.6 million project was kicked off in January, 2004 with a $4 million pledge from former SCU baseball player and former owner of the Oakland Athletics, Stephen Schott. The 1,500-seat stadium houses the entire Santa Clara baseball program, including its training, practice and equipment facilities. Also equipped with a 600 square-foot press box and VIP suite, Schott Stadium is one of the premier college baseball stadiums on the West Coast. Designed with player development in mind, Schott Stadium provides the Santa Clara baseball staff and players with every possible tool for success.

Coaching Records

Head CoachYearsWinsLossesTiesPct.
Rusty Filter2018–Present50710.413
Dan O'Brien2012–20171281940.398
Mark O'Brien2002–20112582890.472
Mike Cummins1998–2001921320.411
John Oldham1985–19974333246.571
Jerry McClain1981–19841251151.521
Al Endriss198025300.455
Sal Taormina1965–19795112490.672
John Cottrell1961–1964102440.699
Bill Leonard1958–196057480.543
Chuck Bedolla1954–195736770.319
Bill Prentice1952–195332270.542
John J. “Paddy” Cottrell1946–195176560.576
Pee Wee Reese19431280.600
Len Casanova1940–194239250.609
Justin Fitzgerald1935–193926790.248
Duster Mails1931–193325302.455
Marv Owen19306101.376
Justin Fitzgerald1927–192931191.620
Sam Agnew19268120.400
Sam Agnew; Charlie Scherf19258120.400
Eddie Kienholz1924880.500
Joe Aurreocoechea1922–19238152.320
Robert E. Harmon1920–192110131.417
Joe Aurreocoechea19198152.320
Edward R. “Tub” Spencer1917–191812120.500
Justin Fitzgerald19166100.375
Harry Wolter1914–191520182.500
Patsy O'Rourke1912–191330203.567
Bobby McHale1911991.474
Tom Kelly1908–191041180.695
Jimmy Byrnes1906–19071972.679
Wallace Bray19051180.550
Nick Williams19041161.611
Joe Corbett; Charlie Graham1902–190320122.588
Charlie Graham1901641.545
Billy Hulen1900950.643
Jay Hughes; Joe Corbett18991040.714
Joe Corbett18989001.000
Billy Hulen1897650.545
Unknown1883–1896––––

Year By Year results

YEAROVERALLCONFERENCECONFERENCEPOST-SEASON
202012-5*WCCN/ASeason ended by COVID-19
201912-40WCC5-22
201826-26WCC12-15
201713-40WCC9-18
201623-29WCC10-17
201526-28WCC12-15
201426–30WCC16–11 WCC Baseball Tournament
201314–39WCC1–23
201226–28WCC5–19
201117–34WCC4–17
201023–31WCC8–13
200919–34WCC6–15
200833–22WCC13–8
200727–29WCC9–12
200628–26WCC9–12
200528–28WCC West11–19
200427–29WCC West16–14
200331–26WCC Coast21–9
200225–30WCC Coast15–14
200123–33WCC Coast17–13
200022–37WCC Coast12–18
199920–36WCC West11–19
199827–26WCC16–14
199741–20WCC23–5 NCAA Regional
199640–22WCC22–6 NCAA Play-In
199535–20–1WCC22–7–1
199440–20WCC21–9 NCAA Regional
199327–29–1WCC16–14
199223–32WCC14–16
199134–25WCC20–18
199026–30–1WCC17–19
198940–22WCC14–10
198843–18–1WCC18–5–1 NCAA Regional
198725–30–2WCAC11–12–1
198626–31WCAC10–12
198533–25WCAC13–11
198429–31NCBA15–15
198332–25NCBA15–15
198236–26–1NCBA26–10
198128–33NCBA15–21
198025–30NCBA12–21
197927–22NCBA18–17
197840–23NCBA24–12 NCAA District 8
197726–26NCBA18–16
197627–23WCAC6–11
197539–16WCAC13–5
197438–17WCAC12–6
197335–16WCAC13–5
197242–13WCAC18–2 NCAA District 8
197143–13WCAC18–2 NCAA District 8
197042–16WCAC18–2 NCAA District 8
196940–10WCAC16–4 NCAA District 8
196831–12WCAC15–5 NCAA District 8
196724–14––
196627–17CIBA7–13
196529–11CIBA11–9
196428–8CIBA16–4
196320–16CIBA9–7
196239–8CIBA12–4 College World Series Final
196115–12CIBA5–11
196016–19CIBA6–10
195923–13
195818–16
19575–23
19566–22
195511–19
195414–13
195314–15
195218–12
195112–4
195018–8
194917–10
194815–11
194710–15
19464–8
1945WWII
1944WWII
194312–8
194218–7
19417–11
194014–7
19395–18
19385–14
19373–17
19365–16
19358–14
1934NA
19335–11
193212–6–1
19318–13–1
19306–10–1
192919–3–1
19287–3
19275–13
19268–12
19258–12
19248–8
19231–13–1
19227–2–1
19215–9–1
19201–13–1
19197–2–1
19183–4
19179–8
19166–10
191510–9
191410–9–2
191312–11–2
191218–9–1
19119–9–1
191021–5
190910–6
190810–7
190710–3–2
19069–4
190511–8
190411–6–1
190310–9–1
190210–3–1
19016–4–1
19009–5
189910–4
18989–0
18976–5
1896Unknown
1895Unknown
1894Unknown
1893Unknown
1892Unknown
1891Unknown
1890Unknown
1889Unknown
1888Unknown
1887Unknown
1886Unknown
1885Unknown
1884Unknown
1883Unknown

Program Records

Awards

All-Americans

YEARSTUDENT-ATHLETETEAM
2008Dane SmithFreshman
2007Tommy MedicaFreshman
2006Matt LongFreshman
2006Matt WickswatFreshman
2004Anthony ReaSecond
2003Patrick OverholtFreshman
2003Joe DiefenderferHonorable Mention
2003Scott DierksHonorable Mention
2002Joey GomesFirst
1998Bill MottHonorable Mention
1997Mike FrankFirst
1997Todd HughesFreshman
1996Brian CarmodyFirst
1994Karl ThompsonSecond
1994Mike FrankFreshman
1993Karl ThompsonFreshman
1992James EidamFreshman
1989Ed GiovanolaFirst
1988Troy BuckleySecond
1988Wes BlivenAcademic
1987Wes BlivenAcademic
1986Wes BlivenAcademic
1974Gene DeylonFirst
1972Bruce BochteSecond
1971Rich TroedsonSecond
1968Vince BigoneFirst
1965Ray HenningsonSecond
1964Tim CullenSecond
1962Ernie FazioFirst
1962Bob GaribaldiSecond
1962John BoccabellaSecond
1959Jim O'RourkeFirst
1956John RussoFirst
1949Bill RennaFirst

Conference award winners

YEARSTUDENT-ATHLETECONFERENCECONFERENCE AWARD
2011Cory HallWCCAll-WCC First Team
2011Patrick TerryWCCAll-WCC Honorable Mention
2011Kyle DeMerrittWCCAll-Freshman Team
2011Patrick TerryWCCRawlings WCC Player of the Week 5/23/11
2011Curtis WagnerWCCAll-Academic Team
2011Brock SimonWCCAll-Academic Honorable Mention
2011Paul TwiningWCCAll-Academic Honorable Mention
2011Joe SuppleWCCAll-Academic Honorable Mention
2010Tommy MedicaWCCAll-WCC First Team; Preseason All-Conference Team; Rawlings WCC Player of the Week 5/4/10 and 6/1/10
2010Geoff KleinWCCAll-WCC First Team; Preseason All-Conference Team; Rawlings WCC Player of the Week 3/16/10
2010Evan PetersWCCAll-WCC Honorable Mention
2010Matt OzanneWCCAll-WCC Honorable Mention; All-Freshman Team
2010Ryan RiegerWCCAll-WCC Honorable Mention; All-Freshman Team
2010Alex RiversWCCRawlings WCC Pitcher of the Week 4/13/10
2009Nate GarciaWCCAll-WCC First Team; Rawlings WCC Pitcher of the Week 2/23/09 and 3/9/09
2009Jon KarcichWCCAll-WCC First Team
2009Geoff KleinWCCAll-WCC First Team
2009Andrew BiancardiWCCAll-Freshman Team
2009Matt LongWCCAll-Freshman Honorable Mention; Rawlings WCC Player of the Week 5/11/09
2009Alex RiversWCCRawlings WCC Pitcher of the Week 3/23/09
2008Brady FuerstWCCAll-WCC First Team
2008Nate GarciaWCCAll-WCC First Team
2008Jon KarcichWCCAll-WCC First Team
2008Evan LeBlancWCCAll-WCC First Team
2008Tommy MedicaWCCAll-WCC First Team
2008Thain SimonWCCAll-WCC First Team; WCC Freshman of the Year; All-Freshman Team
2007Tommy MedicaWCCAll-WCC First Team; All-Freshman Team
2007Nate GarciaWCCAll-Freshman Team
2007Steve KalushWCCAll-Freshman Team
2007Alex RiversWCCAll-Freshman Team
2006Kris WattsWCCAll-WCC First Team
2006Daniel NavaWCCAll-WCC First Team
2006Matt WickswatWCCAll-WCC Second Team; All-Freshman Team
2006Matt LongWCCAll-WCC Second Team; All-Freshman Team
2006Brady FuerstWCCAll-Freshman Team
2005Kevin DreverWCCAll-WCC First Team
2005Anthony ReaWCCAll-WCC First Team
2005Eric NewtonWCCAll-WCC Honorable Mention
2005Kris WattsWCCAll-WCC Honorable Mention
2004Ryan ChiarelliWCCAll-WCC First Team
2004Anthony ReaWCCAll-WCC First Team; All-Academic Team
2004Michael ThompsonWCCAll-WCC First Team
2004Nic CrostaWCCAll-WCC First Team
2004Kellan McConnellWCCAll-WCC Honorable Mention
2004Robert PerryWCCAll-WCC Honorable Mention
2004Will ThompsonWCCAll-WCC Honorable Mention
2004Nic CrostaWCCRawlings WCC Player of the Week 4/26/04
2004Robert PerryWCCRawlings WCC Player of the Week 5/17/04
2003Joe DiefenderferWCCAll-WCC First Team
2003Scott DierksWCCAll-WCC First Team; WCC Player of the Year
2003A.J. LaBarberaWCCAll-WCC Second Team
2003Jack HeadleyWCCAll-WCC Second Team
2002Joey GomesWCCAll-WCC First Team
2001Jack HeadleyWCCAll-WCC First Team
2001Matt QueenWCCAll-WCC Second Team
2001Joe DiefenderferWCCAll-WCC Second Team
2000Jack HeadleyWCCAll-WCC Second Team; WCC Freshman of the Year; All-Freshman Team
1998Bill MottWCCAll-WCC First Team
1998Ryan BulichWCCAll-WCC First Team
1997Paul ChiaffredoWCCAll-WCC First Team
1997Bill MottWCCAll-WCC First Team
1997Mike FrankWCCWCC Player of the Year; All-WCC First Team; Rawlings WCC 40th Anniversary Baseball Team
1997Tobin LanzettaWCCAll-WCC First Team
1997Jeff PerryWCCAll-WCC First Team
1996Ross ParmenterWCCWCC Player of the Year; All-WCC First Team
1996Bill MottWCCAll-WCC First Team
1996Brian CarmodyWCCWCC Pitcher of the Year; All-WCC First Team
1996Mike McDonaldWCCAll-WCC First Team
1996Mike FrankWCCWCC Player of the Year; All-WCC First Team
1995Karl ThompsonWCCAll-WCC First Team
1995Ross ParmenterWCCAll-WCC First Team
1995Mike FrankWCCAll-WCC First Team
1995Randy WinnWCCAll-WCC First Team
1995Bob PailthorpeWCCAll-WCC First Team; WCC Pitcher of the Year; Rawlings WCC 40th Anniversary Baseball Team
1994Lou DonatiWCCAll-WCC First Team
1994Tommy ThompsonWCCAll-WCC First Team
1994Jeff FrankelWCCAll-WCC First Team
1994Karl ThompsonWCCWCC Player of the Year; All-WCC First Team
1994Mike FrankWCCAll-WCC First Team; WCC Freshman of the Year; All-Freshman Team
1994Bob PailthorpeWCCAll-WCC First Team; WCC Pitcher of the Year
1994Ken LorgeWCCAll-WCC First Team
1993Nick MirizziWCCAll-WCC First Team
1992Nick MirizziWCCAll-WCC First Team
1991David TuttleWCCAll-WCC First Team; WCC Pitcher of the Year
1991Adam MelhuseWCCWCC Freshman of the Year
1989Ed GiovanolaWCCAll-WCC First Team
1989Matt TooleWCCAll-WCC First Team
1989Greg GohrWCCAll-WCC First Team
1988Troy BuckleyWCACAll-WCAC First Team; Rawlings WCC 40th Anniversary Baseball Team
1988Matt TooleWCACAll-WCAC First Team
1988Jeff HealyWCACAll-WCAC First Team
1988Wes BlivenWCACWCAC Player of the Year
1985Sal VaccaroWCACAll-WCC First Team
1984Jeff MelroseNCBAAll-NCBA First Team
1984Rich MartigNCBAAll-NCBA First Team
1983Kent CooperNCBAAll-NCBA First Team
1983Ron HansenNCBAAll-NCBA First Team
1982Dave OlivaNCBANCBA Player of the Year; All-NCBA First Team
1982Kevin McKennaNCBAAll-NCBA First Team
1981Gary DavenportNCBAAll-NCBA First Team
1978Sean EvertonNCBAAll-NCBA First Team
1978Frank ConvertinoNCBAAll-NCBA First Team
1978Skeeter RivasNCBAAll-NCBA First Team
1978Rick FoleyNCBAAll-NCBA First Team
1977George HahnNCBAAll-NCBA First Team
1977Rick FoleyNCBAAll-NCBA First Team; NCBA Pitcher of the Year
1976George HahnNCBAAll-NCBA First Team
1976Gordon HahnNCBAAll-NCBA First Team
1975Gordon HahnNCBAAll-NCBA First Team
1975Steve KelleyNCBAAll-NCBA First Team
1974Gene DeylonWCACWCAC Player of the Year; All-WCAC First Team
1974Jim WilhelmWCACAll-WCAC First Team
1974Ron MoselyWCACAll-WCAC First Team
1974Chris KinselWCACAll-WCAC First Team
1974Dave JudnickWCACAll-WCAC First Team
1973Mike DeneviWCACAll-WCAC First Team
1973Gene DelyonWCACAll-WCAC First Team
1973Walt KaczmarekWCACAll-WCAC First Team
1972Rich TroedsonWCACWCAC Player of the Year; All-WCAC First Team; Rawlings WCC 40th Anniversary Baseball Team
1972Lou CavigliaWCACAll-WCAC First Team
1971Duane LarsonWCACWCAC Player of the Year: All-WCAC First Team
1971Lou CavigliaWCACAll-WCAC First Team
1971Rusty WeeksWCACAll-WCAC First Team
1971Rich TroedsonWCACAll-WCAC First Team
1971Joe PupoWCACAll-WCAC First Team
1970Duane LarsonWCACWCAC Player of the Year; All-WCAC First Team
1970Mike McMonigleWCACAll-WCAC First Team
1970Kurt LohrkeWCACAll-WCAC First Team
1970Bruce BochteWCACAll-WCAC First Team
1970Don PaxtonWCACAll-WCAC First Team
1970Rich TroedsonWCACAll-WCAC First Team
1969Leo RippoWCACAll-WCAC First Team
1969Hank MottWCACAll-WCAC First Team
1969Bill McMonigleWCACAll-WCAC First Team
1969Vince BigoneWCACAll-WCAC First Team
1969Rich TroedsonWCACAll-WCAC First Team
1968Alvin StrangeWCACAll-WCAC First Team
1968Fred OttWCACAll-WCAC First Team
1968Albert StraneWCACAll-WCAC First Team
1968Rod PommesWCACAll-WCAC First Team
1968Vince BigoneWCACAll-WCAC First Team

In the Pros

Former Major Leaguer Baseball Players

NOTE: Team listed in parentheses is the Major League Baseball team they played for during their professional debut.

Current Minor League Baseball players

Santa Clara's Major League Baseball Draft history

YEARROUNDPICK #STUDENT-ATHLETEPOSITIONTEAM
2010391169Alex RiversPKansas City Royals
201016491Nate GarciaPTampa Bay Rays
201015469Geoff KleinCSt. Louis Cardinals
201014424Tommy MedicaC / OFSan Diego Padres
200830921Matt LongOFLos Angeles Angels
200823704Evan LeBlancOFNew York Mets
200819570Justin KuehnPChicago White Sox
200815458Mark WillinskyPMilwaukee Brewers
200633992Eric Newton2BMilwaukee Brewers
200628851Dustin Realini3BCleveland Indians
200616470Kris WattsCPittsburgh Pirates
2005401208Thomas Van BuskirkPTexas Rangers
200526794Michael Thompson3BHouston Astros
200522667Patrick OverholtPPhiladelphia Phillies
2004471395Kellan McConnellPTexas Rangers
200417501Nick CrostaOFTexas Rangers
20047220Will Thompson1BSan Francisco Giants
2003361069Jim WallaceCNew York Mets
200332938Matt TravisPTampa Bay Rays
200324713Scott DierksOFFlorida Marlins
200319565Joe DiefenderferPPhiladelphia Phillies
2002331001Pat Peavey3B / SSHouston Astros
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