STOCKTON, Calif. – The Pacific baseball family is sad to announce the passing of former Tiger and professional baseball player, John Strohmayer.
                                                       
Recognized as one of the most talented pitchers in program history, Strohmayer was a major contributor for UOP throughout his life, especially on the 1968 team. He passed away on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28, at the age of 73.
 
Head coach Ryan Garko remembers the late Tiger, saying: 
 
"Everyone in the Pacific athletic department and especially here in the baseball offices are deeply saddened by John's passing. Our thoughts and prayers go out to John's family and friends during this difficult time. John was a great player here at Pacific and more importantly leaves a lasting legacy as a man with all those that he touched. This includes our current staff and players as John had joined us multiple times the last couple of years to celebrate the Pacific Baseball family. He will always be remembered as a Tiger and will be sorely missed."
 
Strohmayer was born on October 13, 1946 in Belle Fouche, S.D. He attended Central Valley High School in Shasta Lake, Calif., where he would go 12-1 and throw a no-hitter. Pacific then offered Strohmayer a scholarship to play baseball in Stockton. 
 
In his time with the Tigers, Strohmayer was named a team captain twice as well as a Northern California Collegiate All-Star by the San Francisco Examiner in 1968.
 
Terry Maple, who played with the righty during his time in the Orange and Black, was also saddened by the news: "John and I were co-captains in 1967 and 1968. He was the perfect teammate who did everything possible to keep us in every game. He was a winner and a leader of consequence who always did the right things. While he was surely one of Pacific's best hurlers, he was an even better human being. People like John Strohmayer are exceptionally rare and we were lucky to have played with him."
 
Following his career in Stockton, Strohmayer was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 26th round of the 1968 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft. After signing a $3,000 bonus with the A's, he was one of two players drafted in that round to reach the big leagues.
 
Completing two seasons in the farm system for Oakland in 1968 and 1969, Strohmayer was then selected by the Montreal Expos in the 1969 Rule V Draft. He would go on to play for the Expos for three and a half seasons, notching an 11-9 record and 4.48 cumulative ERA. Strohmayer's best season was in 1971, when he finished with a 7-5 win-loss record, 4.34 ERA, 114.0 innings pitched and 56 strikeouts.
 
In 1973, he was then claimed off waivers by the New York Mets, where he would play for a season and a half. During his time in the Big Apple, he pitched 11.0 innings and recorded 5 strikeouts in seven appearances.
 
Looking back, Strohmayer's former coach at Pacific, Tom Stubbs, has nothing but positive memories: "In addition to John being an outstanding pitcher for the Pacific Tigers, he was even a more outstanding individual.  He was our captain and led our team to many victories not only on the mound, but as a supporter of the team.  He was a truly outstanding individual and we will miss him dearly."
 
Central Valley High School is hoping to hold a memorial ceremony in their gym for Strohmayer, but are having scheduling issues as the school hosts basketball tournaments every weekend during this time of year.