Turning Grief into a Game Plan
When the season began, few could predict that Birmingham High’s baseball squad would rewrite its own story. Under the joint leadership of Matt Mowry and Gus Rico, the Patriots surged to a West Valley League title, ending a 20‑year drought, and then added the City Section Open Division championship.
The victory was especially poignant for starter JJ Rodriguez, who had lost his father early in the campaign. Mowry, who had endured the death of his own wife from cancer, leaned on that shared experience to offer comfort, turning Rodriguez’s sorrow into a source of strength on the field.
Pitcher Aidan Martinez faced his own hurdle after Tommy John surgery. Rico meticulously managed his pitch count, rebuilding confidence and watching the right‑hander hit 92 miles per hour when it mattered most. Martinez’s late‑game heroics helped seal a 4‑2 win over El Camino Real at Dodger Stadium.
The duo’s efforts earned them The Times’ Coaches of the Year honor, a distinction that also marked Mowry’s sixth City title and the first time the two shared co‑coaching responsibilities. Their season stands as a testament to how leadership, empathy and resilience can converge on the diamond.