USD Baseball 1993

Molina's Olympic Experience

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MOLINA LEADS SPANISH TEAM TO OLYMPIC GLORY The summer of 1992 will forever be special 10 USO assistant baseball co:1ch Jake Molina. Molina, who is in his eighth season as Head Coach John Cunningham's chief assistant coach, achieved the opportunity to·· realize a dream··. He spent most of the summer in Barcelona and had the opportunity 10 experience the 1992 Summer Olympic Games "close up and personal". Jake Molina was head coach of the Spanish Olympic baseball team. Jake's journey 10 Barcelona '92 began back in 1988 when he was invited 10 Spain to work wilh the youth program in Barcelona. He was tasked with conducting clinics in which both players and prospective coaches were in- structed in the fundarnemal techniques of baseball. After instructing the eager Spaniards on the "ins and outs" of baseball and "pulling the teaching principles of the sport together", Molina was invited to work out for two weeks wilh the tledgling Spanish National Team. "I figured this would end my association," Molina recalls, "but I was wrong. I was invited to accompany the team to the World Championships in Italy as their pitching coach. Additionally, I was asked 10 help with the initial stages of planning for the '92 Olympic Games." Being fluent in Spanish also proved to be an asset and Molina developed a rapport with a Spanish ti:arn that was eager to grasp his teaching techniques. The head coach of the team resigned afler the I988 World Championships. Jake Molina was asked to take his place. Molina accepted the position in June of 1989, jusl in time to take the learn 10 the Friendship Cup in Wichita, Kansas. This was the first taste of Americana and American baseball for the majority of his players. It was a taste they learned to enjoy, a taste they would experience in the years to come. He followed this up by entering his team in the 1989 European Championships in Paris where "Europe and the world began to sit up and take notice" of the young Spaniards. He guided the Spanish team to a third place finish (beating the Swedish learn for third) in the tournament with three of his players balling over .300 and lhe learn selling a IOurnamenl stolen base record. Spanish baseball was improving under his tutelage. Preparations for lhe Barcelona Games continued and Molina was again asked for his inpul. He brought his team to San Diego for another "taste of American baseball" and traveled to such places as Cuba, Nicaragua, Chinese Taipei and throughout Europe to give his players" a taste of different styles of baseball throughout the world". Through it all, the master plan continued to evolve. Through ii all, Spanish baseball continued to improve. That plan reached fruition in early 1992. A new format was established 10 select the team that would represent the host country in baseball in Barcelona, a fonnat Molina says "1he players and coaches took to immediately". The lop 80 players in Spain were divided into four teams and a selection tournament was played. With Molina leading the selection commillee, the 25 players who would carry the Spanish colors and a nation's pride into the 1992 Summer Olympic Games was chosen. The team made two pre-Olympic trips to Italy, first for the European Championships and then for the Columbus Games. It was at the Columbus Games in Milan that Spain defeated Italy for the first time in 35 years, a feat of such magnitude in Spain that, Molina says, "you would have thought we captured the world title". "There was so much pride in being the host team for the Olympic Games," Molina says of the competition in Barcelona. "Everywhere we went and everywhere we played was the same. We were besieged by a Spanish people proud ID have us representing them. It was a special time and a special experience!" Of the Olympic games themselves, Molina says, "It was a great feeling to be around peoples of so many different countries, so many great athletes, each with a common purpose and kinship, a common bond. There was so much mutual respect among each of the athletes." "Everything had to be perfect and it was," Molina says of his fondest memory, the Opening Ceremony. "To see every athlete allired in the costume of his country was so amazing. When we marched into the Olympic Stadium we got a standing ovation from the 90,000 people asembled there. l 've never been involved in anything so emotional." 'Tm very satisfied with the team's performance," he now evaluates retro- spectively. "We played good, hard baseball in every game. Our upset of Puerto Rico will always be special to me." Of his experience with Spanish baseball, Molina says, "The Olympic Games arc a feather in every Spaniard's cap. Their preparation and effort were firs Irate. I'm really pleased with the growth of the team in both physical and menial aspects. This team has a chance to be something special if they continue their learning and work ethic." "The Olympic Games were an experience of a lifetime. It's the best thing I have ever done!"