Former SPHS Baseball Player Recognized

Jersey dedication honors Rob Nelson, a three-year starter at first base for South Pasadena High from 1980-82 who later went on to play major League Baseball.

By
Bill Glazier
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PHOTO: CB Richards | The South Pasadenan | Rob Nelson was honored this week, as his number 6 was unveiled in centerfield at South Pasadena High’s baseball field. Nelson was a three-year starter at first base for South Pasadena High from 1980-82 who later went on to play major League Baseball. He was joined by family, friends and players from both South Pasadena and Temple City High, where he serves as the team’s head coach.
PHOTO: CB Richards | The South Pasadenan | Rob Nelson was honored this week, as his number 6 was unveiled in centerfield at South Pasadena High’s baseball field. Nelson was a three-year starter at first base for South Pasadena High from 1980-82 who later went on to play major League Baseball. He was joined by family, friends and players from both South Pasadena and Temple City High, where he serves as the team’s head coach.
 

In the far reaches of South Pasadena High’s baseball field on the outfield wall will forever carry the number 6.

It’s meaningful, in that it was once worn by the school’s Rob Nelson, whose name is synonymous with hard work, commitment and a tremendous desire to be the best.

PHOTO: CB Richards | The South Pasadenan | Rob Nelson was honored this week, as his number 6 was unveiled in centerfield at South Pasadena High’s baseball field. Nelson was a three-year starter at first base for South Pasadena High from 1980-82 who later went on to play major League Baseball. He was joined by family, friends and players from both South Pasadena and Temple City High, where he serves as the team’s head coach.
PHOTO: CB Richards | The South Pasadenan | Rob Nelson was honored this week, as his number 6 was unveiled in centerfield at South Pasadena High’s baseball field. Nelson was a three-year starter at first base for South Pasadena High from 1980-82 who later went on to play major League Baseball. He was joined by family, friends and players from both South Pasadena and Temple City High, where he serves as the team’s head coach.

Before a recent home game against Temple City, SPHS officials recognized Nelson, a three-year starter from 1980-1982, who later went on to play in the majors, by unveiling his number in the outfield wall following a brief ceremony at home plate.

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“We gather to dedicate Rob Nelson’s jersey, bearing the iconic number 6, as a symbol of his remarkable contributions on and off the field,” Public Address Announcer Gary Goodrich told Nelson’s family, friends, fans and players taking in the touching tribute.

PHOTO: CB Richards | The South Pasadenan | Rob Nelson was honored this week, as his number 6 was unveiled in centerfield at South Pasadena High’s baseball field. Nelson was a three-year starter at first base for South Pasadena High from 1980-82 who later went on to play major League Baseball. He was joined by family, friends and players from both South Pasadena and Temple City High, where he serves as the team’s head coach.
PHOTO: CB Richards | The South Pasadenan | Rob Nelson was honored this week, as his number 6 was unveiled in centerfield at South Pasadena High’s baseball field. Nelson was a three-year starter at first base for South Pasadena High from 1980-82 who later went on to play major League Baseball. He was joined by family, friends and players from both South Pasadena and Temple City High, where he serves as the team’s head coach.

Nelson was at his old stomping grounds as the longtime head baseball coach at Temple City, finding himself the center of attention accepting pats on the back, fist pumps, hugs and other celebratory offerings following the recognition. Among those on hand were his wife, Leenie, children Mallory, Brett and Ryan and grandchildren Robby, Evelyn, Trinity and Ryan.

“Let us not only celebrate his incredible achievements on the field but also acknowledge the impact he has made as a mentor, leader and role model to countless individuals throughout his storied career,” Goodrich told the crowd.

Sharing the honor with those closest to him, Nelson said he was “extremely humbled” by the jersey dedication, noting it was “truly a blessing.”

During his days in a Tiger uniform when high school was three years, not four, back then, Nelson belted a total of 21 home runs, averaged around .400 at the plate and earned first team all league honors his junior and senior years.

PHOTO: John Seevers | The South Pasadenan | Rob Nelson was honored this week, as his number 6 was unveiled in centerfield at South Pasadena High’s baseball field. Nelson was a three-year starter at first base for South Pasadena High from 1980-82 who later went on to play major League Baseball. He was joined by family, friends and players from both South Pasadena and Temple City High, where he serves as the team’s head coach.
PHOTO: John Seevers | The South Pasadenan | Rob Nelson was honored this week, as his number 6 was unveiled in centerfield at South Pasadena High’s baseball field. Nelson was a three-year starter at first base for South Pasadena High from 1980-82 who later went on to play major League Baseball. He was joined by family, friends and players from both South Pasadena and Temple City High, where he serves as the team’s head coach.

As Goodrich explained in his introductory remarks, “Rob’s talent caught the attention of scouts across the nation.”

He was drafted into Major League Baseball not once, not twice, but three times.

In June of 1982, just before high school graduation, Nelson was selected in the 27th round by the Houston Astros. “I decided to attend Mt. San Antonio College in the fall instead of signing with Houston,” he said.

Six months later Nelson was drafted a second time – this time by the Atlanta Braves, making him their 17th pick in the first round. Again he chose not to sign, played that spring in 1983 with Mt. SAC, earning the Rawlings Big Stick award for the State of California after hitting 17 home runs in 35 games.

In June 1983, Nelson entered the draft for the third time, the Oakland A’s selecting him in the 1st round, the seventh overall pick, launching his professional career at the age of 19.

His career path soon took him on the road to multiple minor league cities, initially spending the summer at Idaho Falls for rookie ball, then to Single A ball in Madison, Wisconsin in 1984 and 1985 in Huntsville, Alabama to play Double A.

He was invited to the A’s Major League camp in the spring of 1986 where Tony LaRussa was the manager and added to the club’s 40-man roster at the age of 21. “I can remember the first day of walking from the field into the clubhouse and walking in front of me were Dave Kingman and Dusty Baker who I had grown up watching and were now my teammates,” Nelson said.

His next stop was Triple A ball in Tacoma, Washington that season and ultimately called up to the A’s big club in September 1986.

“After the season my wife and I were sent to the Dominican Republic for three months of winter ball,” Nelson recalls, to continue working on his game.

It paid off. He was named Oakland’s starting first baseman for the 1987 season, replacing Bruce Bochte who had decided to retire at the end of the 1986 campaign.

In September of 1987, Nelson was traded to San Diego, where he played in a Padres’ uniform for three years. Staying in the game, he eventually retired in April 1995 with the Cleveland Indians organization.

Seeing the large turnout this week appreciating what his efforts at the high school and professional ranks have left on others won’t soon be forgotten by the gifted first baseman.

Following the observance, Nelson paid special thanks to South Pasadena High Assistant Baseball Coach and childhood friend John Seevers, along with all the coaches and the SPHS administration for helping spearhead the fanfare he received.

“It’s an incredible honor to have number 6 hang in the outfield and to be recognized by the school,” said Nelson. “I will forever be grateful for my time at SPHS and for the time that I spent growing up in such a wonderful town as South Pasadena!”

 

 


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