Long Beach Jr. Breakers Baseball Club: Breaker History
Long Beach Breaker History 1984-2008 | |||
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Between 1984-87 the South Bay Breakers played in the old Coast Connie Mack league and the Blair Field league. Both leagues merged in 1986. In that time, the Breakers earned one league title and two post season playoff berths. In 1987, the Breakers just missed a trip to the Connie Mack Pacific regionals by losing in the finals of the Connie Mack state tournament.
In the fall of 1988, Steve Roberts was a walk on assistant coach at Long Beach Jordan High School. Richard Flores was also part of the Jordan coaching staff. Both had strong coaching backgrounds and where looking for a team to call their own. Bob Seus was moving his machine shop to Portland OR. For the amount of $1000.00, Steve and Richard bought all of the Breaker uniforms and six batting helmets. The "Long Beach Breakers" where born. During the fall of that year, both coaches started the endless task of putting a new team together. Visiting many fall games, they came across many players. One young first basemen at Tustin looked good but he was too young. That young first basemen grew up to be Shawn Green of the New York Mets! On a warm Tuesday night in June of 1989, the Long Beach Breakers took to field and won the season opener beating Fountain Valley. Scott Moten of Bellflower High School started and was the winning pitcher. Many of that first Long Beach roster went on to play professional baseball: Joel Adamson (Brewers-Diamondbacks), Mark Charbonnet(Indians), Cobie Cradle(Indians), Todd Taylor(Rangers)and, Scott Moten (Phillies). From 1989-91 the losses out numbered the wins. While going through the growing pains, the Breakers started a trend that still goes on today. Giving chances to players when others will not.
In 1990, a skinny good fielding short stop from St. John Bosco was picked up for the summer season. Not much of a hitter in his Connie Mack days but, Normar Garciaparra does very well hitting for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Another good pick up was Richard Linars. Richard was unable to play his senior year at Long Beach Poly. He pitched and played outfield for the Breakers from 1990-91. Cerritos College recruited him and played there for two seasons. Later Richard was drafted and signed by the Dodgers. He also played with the New York Mets. One day while watching a game at Cal State Los Angeles, Steve was asked by a father if he was a coach of some kind. Steve told him about the Breakers and the father asked if his son (a JV player at Mater Dei at the time) could play. Not sure if a young player could handel this level, he was invited out for the team. When Mike Murphy could not play for the season, that young JV player, Matt De Sales, was given a chance to start. From 1990-91. Matt started every game in center field. He still remains one of the toughest and hard-nose players ever to wear a Breaker uniform.
After four years of hard work and long hours, the Long Beach Breakers had their dream season. In 1992, armed with two top pitchers, two middle infielders that moved onto pro-ball and, key roll players. The Breakers went on to win the league title. Jacob Viano lead the league in wins, E.R.A. and just about everything else. Today, he still remains the meanest, toughest pitcher to take the mound. Marcus Mc Cain lead the league in stolen bases and on base percentage. He also lead the league in lead off hits. Starting short stop Anthony Medrano went on to sign with the Toronto Blue Jays. From 1989-2006 the Breakers have earned 11 playoff berths. Have won two league titles, won 10 tournaments, have 20 professional players, 26 NCAA players and, 7 major league players.
The Breakers founded the Firecracker Classic in 1995. Today, it is the largest mid-season tournament in Los Angeles County. Starting in the summer of 2007, the Breakers will start a new era for the 4th of July with a all new tournament. Baseball is a funny game. Not knowing whats ahead is part of the fun. Enjoy the ride.
Richard A. Flores
Co-founder Long Beach Breakers
Nomar Garciaparra
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Mike Busby
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Anthony Medrano
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Jacob Viano
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Marcus Mc Cain
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Todd Taylor
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Milton Bradley
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Richard Linares
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Tom McKinnon
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Chase Utley
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Matt De Sales
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Larry Fuller
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Brandon Soldano
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First Tournament Championship
In the summer of 1993, the Breakers played in their first mid season tournament in Mesa AZ. Hosted at Fitch and Ho-Ho-Kam parks, the Breakers went on a roll by beating Chandler AZ.,Coolidge AZ., Red Mountain baseball club AZ., Flagstaff AZ. and Gullup NM.
The Breakers faced off with the Fontana Stars in the finals at Ho-Ho-Kam stadium. Veteran right hander Mike Burkes started and picked up the win. Erine Sarinana picked up the save. Lead off hitter Dexter Davis and second basemen Uriel Casillas also played large rolls in the tournament championship.
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1994 Breakers 2nd Place Blair Field League
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2000 Cal-Metro League Champions
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The Breakers had two strong showings at the James R. Eaton tournament in San Diego and the Oregon classic in Corvallis Oregon. In the Eaton tournament the Breakers won their last pool game by beating the Oakland Smoke 2-1. The Breakers needed a Jose Avila throw from the outfield to nail a Oakland runner at the plate for the last out of the game. The Breakers lost the next day to the San Diego Gamers in the semi-finals.
The Breakers made their first appearance in the Pacific Northwest by playing in the Oregon Classic hosted at Oregon State University. The Breakers won all of their pool games but lost two of their strongest players in a collision in the outfield. Alshaun Rodgers and Jose Avila ran into each other while going for a flyball in the gap. Rodgers was lost for the season and Avila was able to come back.
The Breakers without Rodgers could not get by the second round of the Connie Mack state tournament. It was the first time since 1992 that the Breakers had won a league title.
Long Beach Breakers Play at Dodger Stadium
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Breaker Fall/Winter History 1995-2008
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Since 1995 the Breakers have won 7 tournament championships: 1992-Ontario Labor Day Tournament, 1995-Los Angeles Inner-City Games-Gold Medal, 1998 2nd Annual Fernie Ball International Tournament Champions, 1998 Turkey Shoot Tournament Champions, 1999 Turkey Shoot Tournament Champions, 2003 Turkey Shoot Tournament Champions, 2003 CABA Fall league post season tournament champions and the 2006 Super Series Labor Day Classic champions.
Runner-up finishes: 1996 Turkey Shoot, 1996 USABF Holiday Classic(San Diego),1998 Los Angeles Inner-City Games Silver Medal, 2002 East Los Angeles Labor Day Tournament, and 2005 CCYB League runner up.
Other Finishes: 1996 Los Angeles Inner-City Games Bronze Medial, 1999 Semi-Finals USABF Holiday Classic (San Diego) and 2005 Super Series Labor Day Classic Semi-finalist.
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Since 1993 the Long Beach Breakers have experienced some of their highest and lowest moments in Mesa AZ.
In 1995 the Breakers made their first apparance in the Thanksgiving Turkey Shoot Tournament. The Breakers won all three of their pool games and their first single elimination playoff game. The next day, the Breakers faced Sandy UT. Having scored seven runs in the first inning, the Breakers were well on their way to moving into the semi-finals. However, Sandy UT. battled back and come from behind in the last inning to beat the Breakers.
In 1996 the Breakers again won all of their pool games. It was in the playoffs that all the ups and downs took place. It took extra innings to win their first playoff game. The next morning the Breakers found themselves behind vs. Coolidge AZ. The Breakers came back from eight runs down to win the game. The next game had the Breakers facing the Triple Play Hornets from Seattle WA. Once again the Breakers were down by a large amount of runs. Again the Breakers battled back and won. With no pitching left, the Breakers lost to Phoenix Garden of Gears in the Finals.
The Breakers won Back to Back Turkey Shoot titles in 1998-99. From 1993-2001 the Breakers have posted a 36-9-1 tournament record in Mesa AZ. Have won one Hot Shot Tournament Championship and two Turkey Shoot Titles.
1999 Turkey Shoot Champions
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The 2003 Long Beach Breakers won their 3rd Turkey Shoot title. The Breakers went 5-0-1 with the tie vs. old friend Colton Nighthawks. The Breakers only gave up 3 earned runs as pitching domanated the run to the Championship.
In Memoriam
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We also salute these former Breakers players: Jeremy Lara Breaker 2002-2004. Marco Barrios Breaker 1993. Orlando Sloan Breaker 1994-95. Ken Humphreys Breaker 1989. Brett Riley Breaker 1992.