Cal Poly is marking the 25th anniversary of Baggett Stadium, recalling its inaugural game and the contributions that made the stadium possible. The first game at Baggett Stadium took place on January 21, 2001, when Cal Poly defeated Stanford 6-5 in a 12-inning contest. Scott Neal drew a walk with the bases loaded to bring home the winning run, and Coach Ritch Price’s Mustangs celebrated on the field.
“That was pretty intense,” Neal said about his final at-bat. “I just wanted to make sure it was something I could hit.”
“There’s no question it’s the greatest game I’ve ever coached in,” Price said. He later spent two decades coaching at Kansas before retiring in 2022.
“I’ll be honest. When we won that game, I had tears in my eyes,” catcher Robin Baggett recalled. “I don’t have tears in my eyes very often, but that was special.”
Baggett and other alumni are scheduled to commemorate the anniversary during Alumni Weekend, beginning with a game against USC where Baggett will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
The opening game at Baggett Stadium was played despite ongoing construction; amenities like the scoreboard and press box were not yet complete. Still, over 3,000 fans attended and witnessed several milestones: Jared Blasdell threw the first pitch; Bryan Gant recorded the first hit; Jason Barringer scored the stadium’s first run; Chris Martinez delivered its first RBI; and Nathan Choate earned his first win as a Mustang pitcher.
Coach Mark Marquess led Stanford during that initial contest and passed away last month at age 78 after a long career.
Price described Baggett Stadium as pivotal for Cal Poly baseball’s transition from Division II to Division I competition. He explained his decision to schedule Stanford for the opening game: “When I was putting the schedule together that year for our first game at Baggett Stadium, I wanted to open with the best Division I program in the country. I called my good friend and Hall of Fame coach at Stanford (Marquess) and asked him to play the opening game at Baggett Stadium.”
He added: “It was an incredible victory, and to do it in front of over 3,000 people gave me goosebumps. After the game, they took a picture of Robin and myself on the field arm in arm, and Robin had tears running down his face. That picture has been displayed in my office for over 30 years.”
The history of Cal Poly baseball includes moments when its future was uncertain. In 1979 there were discussions about dropping baseball from Cal Poly’s athletic programs until supporters like Baggett intervened by raising operational funds through events such as golf tournaments.
Baggett also contributed significantly to campus projects beyond athletics—including fundraising for both the Performing Arts Center completed in 1995 and later spearheading efforts for what became known as Cal Poly Sports Complex. The complex included new facilities for baseball, softball, soccer fields, funded by private donations exceeding $10 million along with student fees and university reserves.
Baggett reflected on these achievements: “I was the one in charge of raising the money for the sports complex. And it worked out, right?”
As a player in early-1970s Cal Poly teams—catching two no-hitters—Baggett set defensive records before moving into law practice after graduating with honors. He later supported Cal Poly athletics through leadership roles including co-chairing major fundraising campaigns.
Currently active in California’s wine industry as owner of Alpha Omega Winery and Tolosa Winery, Baggett also serves as Chair of various wine industry organizations while remaining involved with philanthropic causes alongside his wife Michelle.
Coach Price praised Baggett’s legacy: “Robin represents everything that is good about Cal Poly and Cal Poly Baseball,” he said. “He was a great player, very successful in his career, and continues to give back to his alma mater.”
Baggett shared memories from his playing days under coach Augie Garrido—a period marked by strong team performance—and recounted how he managed defensive strategies during games.
Alumni Weekend events will honor these past achievements while bringing together former players who contributed to shaping Cal Poly baseball over several decades.
