Augie Garrido, the winningest coach in college baseball history with 1,975 victories, passed away March 15, 2018 at the age of 79 following a stroke.
Fitting that Garrido ended his coaching career with 1,975 victories. 1975 was the first year the Cal State Fullerton Titans competed at the Division 1 level and subsequently advanced to the College World Series under Garrido’s direction.
Prior to the Friday night home game vs. Grand Canyon University, center field was painted with a large number 16 to honor Garrido and his iconic number he wore while directing the Titans. Prior to the game, the 2018 squad huddled before the outfield wall that honored the retirement of Garrido’s number on Feb. 17th, 2017 and bears his likeness.
Garrido is synonymous with the game of college baseball and it’s advancement and popularity. Spanning nearly a 50 year coaching career, Garrido compiled a record of 1,975-952-9, winning five National Championships. (3 with Cal State Fullerton, 2 with University of Texas)
Garrido coached the Titan Baseball team starting in 1973 before the team was Division 1 eligible. In 1975, in Fullerton’s first year of Division 1 competition, the Titans advanced to the College World Series under Garrido. Four years later in 1979, Fullerton would win their first of four national championships, three of those coming with Garrido at the helm.
Garrido coached at Fullerton from 1973-87 and 1991-96 with a brief three year stint at the University of Illinois. Garrido finished his career at the University of Texas all the while winning an additional two National Championships for the Longhorns.
The reaction on social media and the outpouring of emotion over Garrido’s passing has been immense and immeasurable. Former players and coaches from Fullerton, Illinois and Texas have all paid their respects to Augie via social media. In the mainstream media, numerous tributes have been published as well.
Washington Post: 5-time NCAA champion baseball coach Augie Garrido dies at 79
Los Angeles Times: Augie Garrido, who built Cal State Fullerton into a college baseball power, dies at 79
San Diego Union Tribune: Augie Garrido was a legend in college baseball — and the man responsible for Tony Gwynn coming to SDSU
CBS Sports: Former Texas coach Augie Garrido, NCAA baseball’s all-time wins leader, dies at 79
The College Baseball media also paid tribute to Garrido and his enormous impact on the game.
Collegiate Baseball: Augie Garrido Dies At Age 79 After Stroke
D1 Baseball: College Baseball Mourns Garrido
College Baseball Daily: Legendary coach Augie Garrido passes away
Tom Hart: The True Essence Of Augie Garrido
Aaron Fitt: Remembering Larger-Than-Life Garrido
While at Fullerton, Garrido’s teams compiled an impressive mark of 875-341-5 for a winning percentage of .719, which is still the best in school history. In addition to his three titles with the Titans, he helped guide Fullerton to seven College World Series appearances and 16 conference championships, including 11 straight from 1974-84. He was named the National Coach of the Year six different times during his career (1975, 1979, 1984, 1995, 2002, 2005), with four of those instances coming with the Titans.
Garrido is a member of the National College Baseball Hall of Fame (2016), American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame (2016), the Omaha College Baseball Hall of Fame (2013), the Longhorn Hall of Honor (2008) the Texas Sports Hall of Fame (2005) and of course the Cal State Fullerton Athletics Hall of Fame (2005). Garrido was also the second-ever recipient of the Tony Gwynn Award, as it’s given to an individual to honor his/her lifetime contributions to the game of baseball in December of 2016.
Garrido also met up with current Titans head coach Rick Vanderhook and the Titans just two weeks ago in Tulane, as he watched Cal State Fullerton win its first series of the year, taking two of three games from Tulane.
Garrido is survived by his Wife Jeanni and daughter Lisa.