Bartow still swinging in 34th season

After two high school C.I.F Championships, eight college conference titles, induction to the Southwestern College Hall of Fame, and no sign of letting up, coach Jerry Bartow is in the midst of another baseball season.

Bartow has been at SWC since 1975, since then he has sent many of his players to universities all over the U.S. and a few have played in the show.

David Morehead of the Boston Red Sox, Mike Davis of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Leo Daigle of the Detroit Tigers are just a few of Bartow's protégés.

He encourages many players to stick with the sport, but he praises those who have chosen a different path.

"My players have become lawyers, teachers, and principals," he said. "We have had a lot of great kids over the years."

Bartow's life has revolved around baseball since he was a child. His adoptive father, former Yankee's pitcher Carl Mays, was Babe Ruth's roommate.

Now on his 34th year at SWC, the respected and well-known coach sat (which he rarely does) for an interview with the Sun.

Sun: What's the story behind your nicknames? They call you "Four-oh," "Lefty," "Daddy Dearest."

Bartow: Well, they call me "Forty" cause that is my number and I was a left-hander so that is how those stuck. A lot of time, though, people will not know what you are talking about if they hear "Hey Forty," but it's okay.

Sun: Tell me why you wanted to be a baseball coach.

Bartow: I played for many years. I played for Washington State on a scholarship. My step-dad was a big time player who would come around and help out with my players' pitching while I was (a coach) at Hoover. He's initially who got me interested.

Sun: Aside from the Southwestern College Hall of Fame, what other acknowledgements have you received?

Bartow: I'm in the Breitbard, which is the San Diego Hall of Fame, and then I'm in ours (SWC), and the Oregon Hall of Fame. So I'm in three of them, I do not know what others I'm in, but those are pretty good.

Sun: What was your goal when you started coaching at SWC?

Bartow: To get it started. There was nothing here but mud, dirt and gophers that the players and I would catch each day. Football actually used our field for 10 years. They would burn lines in the field every time they played. It felt as if they were burning a part of my body. It hurt. Then they got their field and Bob Momak the grounds man here, helped me fix ours. Soon enough it came together, but it took a few years.

Sun: What tactics did you use to raise money?

Bartow: I started out with a dog show. We charged per dog. Then I started thinking of other things we could do. We used to sell food and coffee in concession stands by the 300 building to the night students. We eventually started selling Christmas trees. (Coach Jay) Martel and I did it for 18 years.

Sun: What is your goal for your baseball players academically?

Bartow: We try to get everyone in school. Biggest thing here is to get your education and get through school. I have guys all over the place at Chico, San Diego State and USC. Most of them get their education paid for thanks to scholarships they receive. My assistant coach, Jay Martel, does a nice job of getting these guys located.

Sun: A majority of your sophomores are gone, are you worried?

Bartow: Yeah, we have a lot of freshmen this season. We have kids from Santana High, San Ysidro, Otay, even Temecula. I think we'll be all right, though. We have a few guys who can throw and a few guys who can run. We are trying to get our first team out, who we are going to start.

Sun: Tell me about one of your most memorable moments as a coach at SWC.

Bartow: Two years ago when we played for the state championship. That was awesome, but it took me 32 years. I thought we were going to win it all.

Sun: Any teams you think will be a challenge this season?

Bartow: Palomar is always tough. They have all the North County schools plus Temecula. It would be like putting Mesa and us together. You have to battle them all the time because of enrollment. But we have some pretty good kids so we'll be alright.

Southwestern College baseball players became some of the schools most loyal alumni, thanks in large part to Bartow.

Here is what a few players and staff have to say about "Daddy Dearest."

Taylor Comford, 20, Lee University:

"Coach Bartow is a one of a kind coach; he has a way to get every team he has to play well between the chalk. Players respect him. Not only his own players but the players all over Southern California. He gave me a new approach to play the game. Taught me to work with my pitchers in a way I had never done before. Most of all gave me opportunity to continue my education and play baseball at the same time. After two years of playing for Coach Bartow he placed me in a well-respected school with the knowledge and game experience to be successful and thrive at this level. He is loved by all his players."

Brandyn Bell, 20, SWC pitcher:

"Coach Bartow motivates us all the time. He's always yelling and blowing his whistle at you trying to pump you up and keep you going".

Tim Perreira, 20, SWC pitcher:

"Coach Bartow is the man. He has the funniest stories and a lot of experience. He knows how to get us to lighten up when we need it most."

Jim Hammond, SWC trainer:

"He's a legend here at SWC. He's very enthusiastic. He sends a lot of guys to the pros. He tries to be fair. They work hard and he awards them. San Diego knows who he is, and he deserves to be known."