Herman Returns Home
by Glenn Reeves, San Mateo County Times
June 4, 2004 STANFORD -- Long Beach State is making its fourth consecutive postseason trip to Sunken Diamond for NCAA baseball regional action.
And every time the Dirtbags make that trip, there's a homecoming of sorts involved for Don Barbara.
Barbara, a former San Mateo High and College of San Mateo standout, is in his sixth year as hitting coach at Long Beach State.
Hitting was always the thing Barbara did best.
He was a star for Ed Allemand at San Mateo High, graduating in 1986. Then he set records that still stand at CSM.
It was during his stay at CSM that Barbara was tutored by legendary Bulldogs coach John Noce, an experience Barbara still treasures.
"There's no question that coach Noce was very instrumental in my career," Barbara said.
"He was the kind of coach I really needed at that time of my life. He really taught me the game."
Barbara parlayed his success at CSM into a scholarship to Long Beach State and had an unbelievable two years playing for Dave Snow. Barbara batted .429 over his two years at the Beach, a career batting average record that still stands.
Barbara was an original Dirtbag, playing on the 1989 team that made the school's first trip to the College World Series.
As a senior in 1990, Barbara led the nation in hitting at .474, a Long Beach State and Big West Conference record that is still on the books. He had 102 hits that season, 69 runs and 27 doubles.
He was drafted in the 24th round by the California Angels, and began a six-year minor league career. He played at the Triple-A level with the Angels, Red Sox, Dodgers and Brewers. In 1994, Barbara batted .352 for Albuquerque.
"I wasn't the most talented player," Barbara said. "But playing for coach Noce and then for coach Snow ... what they taught me was why I was able to go on and play professional baseball."
With Barbara a member of the Long Beach State Hall of Fame, it wasn't hard to understand why the original Dirtbag was invited back once his pro career ended. And he's had a lot of success as a hitting instructor.
In 2002, Long Beach hit .323, 22nd in the nation. One of his prize pupils was Oakland A's shortstop Bobby Crosby. In fact Crosby stayed in such close contact with Barbara that when Crosby was called up from Sacramento by the A's last year, it was Barbara he called to help him move.
Long Beach set school records under Barbara in 1998 with a .354 average, 893 hits, 68 homers and 567 RBIs. Barbara's previous school record of 102 hits was broken by three players that year: Chuck Lopez (113 hits), Terrmel Sledge (112) and Paul Day (110).
All of Barbara's family has moved from San Mateo to Southern California. But he says he's going to make a trip back to his hometown on this trip to the Peninsula.
"I want to go back and see the school," Barbara said of San Mateo High. "How's the football field look?"
Told that the new facility with the FieldTurf looks fine, he smiled.
"I gave them a little money," Barbara said. "I think my name's on a brick somewhere."
Barbara's happy at Long Beach. He has a nice niche with a top college baseball program.
"As time goes by, maybe I'd like to be a head coach," he said. "I'd like to stay in this game as long as I can. I have a degree in physical education, but I don't think I could teach in that environment."
He paused to let his gaze sweep over the lush green surroundings at Sunken Diamond.
"This is my environment," Barbara said. "On the dirt, on the grass where I can hear the crack of the bat. This is where I'm at home." |
