Jose Mota, a Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim broadcaster and former Titan great, summed up what it is to be a Titan during his keynote address at the 2019 Dinner With the Titans.
Mota is one of the most accomplished Titans of all time, earning All-American status in 1985 and helping Cal State Fullerton win its second College World Series in 1984.
The former major leaguer reflected on his time as a Titan, the many friendships he made as a student-athlete, the legacy of Cal State Fullerton baseball and the importance of a college education.
“Titans are ordinary people doing extraordinary things,” Mota said.
The Jan. 19 annual fundraiser at the City National Grove of Anaheim brought together more than 400 former Titan greats and supporters of the four-time national champions.
There were several highlights from the night including over 20 members from the 1979 and 1984 national championship teams in attendance to celebrate their 40- and 35-year anniversaries, respectively.
The 1979 squad was the Titans first College World Series champions, edging Arkansas in the championship game 2-1 under the late, great Augie Garrido.
Mike Garcia of the 1979 squad talked about the team’s road to the national championship. They lost the first game of the Fresno State regional but bounced back to win the regional and a trip to the College World Series. They then had to battle back from the loser’s bracket after dropping the first game in Omaha.
Garcia told the gathering that he later later gave Dave Weatherman, the starting pitcher for the national championship game, the ball he had caught to get the third out of the ninth inning that closed the game and secured Cal State Fullerton’s first national title.
Prior to the baseball programs annual fundraiser, members of the two teams went to Santa Anita Race Track where they met legendary horse trainer Bob Baffert.
The 2019 team, several top university administrators and notable alumni were in attendance including Titan greats Thomas Eshelman, Michael Lorenzen, and Connor Seabold.
“We’re so lucky to have such awesome campus leadership in President Framroze Virjee, Dr. Berenecea Johnson Eanes and Gregory Saks,” said associate director of athletics Greg Paules. “Their support and energy just shows you how much Titan baseball means to this campus and community.”