CMC75 Moments: 1960 Baseball Finishes Third in First SCIAC Season

As part of the buildup to the 75th Anniversary celebration for Claremont McKenna College (visit CMC's 75th Anniversary Countdown Page to learn more), we are reliving many of the great moments from CMS athletic department history over the 75-day countdown from April 17 to July 1. If you were a part of this great moment and would like to add to the memories, or if you would like to submit your memories of your own favorite CMS Athletics moment, fill out the form on our main 75th Anniversary page.

Great Moments from 75 Years of Athletics
1960 Baseball: Stags Sweep Three from Pomona 
After splitting its athletic department from Pomona, it took several Claremont-Mudd teams a few tries to gain the upper hand from their Sixth Street Rivals who were their former teammates. Not so for the Stags Baseball team, which went 2-0-1 against Pomona in 1959 while competing as an independent, and then won all three meetings from the Sagehens in their debut season in the SCIAC. Claremont-Mudd swept a doubleheader from Pomona 2-1 and 8-2 in April and then closed out their year with an 8-7 win in the third meeting, which enabled the Stags to finish their debut campaign with an even 20-20 record.

Wes Parker was a first-team All-SCIAC selection and won the team's MVP award for the second year in a row as a pitcher and a center fielder. He would go on to make his trade as a first baseman, reaching the Major Leagues and winning a World Series and several Gold Glove Awards as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers, once gracing the cover of Sports Illustrated under the tagline "Baseball's Hidden Star". Mike Blanding was named second team All-SCIAC, and Daryl Butcher won the team's Most Improved Player award.

Ed Heron:

I remember the "antics" of Marshall, Bill, Frank, Wes and Chas (and probably the others) that kept the entire team "loose and goofy". Not being much of a baseball player myself I wouldn't call myself a member of the "outfield". My claim to fame was being the third-base coach most of my career.

I do remember Coach Arce. I have consistently over the years held the belief that next to my father he was the most influential person in my life. He always treated me as a true member of the team. He cared for me, nurtured me and taught me the important lessons of life as to what it meant to be kind and decent and to do the very best that I could possibly be. These are lessons I've tried to live by and pass on to my three children and my eight grandchildren by my words, actions and deeds. I was truly blessed to be referred to as "a member of the team".

1960 Baseball Roster
Head Coach: Bill Arce
Mike Blanding (P/3B, CMC)
Gary Bowler (1B/P, CMC)
Daryl Butcher (RF, CMC)
Jean Goity (2B, CMC)
Geof Gordon (SS, CMC)
Ed Heron (OF, CMC)
Frank Myers (P, CMC)
Wes Parker (CF/P, CMC)
Marshall Sale (OF, CMC)
Bill Symington (LF, CMC)
Tom Thuresson (C/3B, CMC)
Chas West (C, CMC)