Letter: Reno coach upset

Wednesday, June 4, 2003 | 9:58 a.m.

First, I would like to once again congratulate the Green Valley Gators for winning the 2003 state championship. They outplayed us that last day of the tournament and they certainly deserved to win the championship. I want the players and Coach Garritano to know how much I respect them as a championship team.

Despite suffering through that loss, my frustration has been increased due to a few quotes that have been attributed to me in the Las Vegas Sun that I would like to clarify. First, a quote by me was taken totally out of context and then printed in the Las Vegas Sun. The quote was taken out of an article in the Reno Gazette-Journal and put into an entirely different context in which it was intended.

Unfortunately, the writer didn't bother to print the question that was asked of me. That question was as follows: "After Wooster won the championship in 2002, do you think the days of Rodger Fairless and the Green Valley dynasty of the 1990s are over?" I then replied that in my opinion, the days of a dynasty are more difficult now because there are so many new high schools in Las Vegas.

This quote had nothing to do with the 2003 Green Valley Gators. In fact, before every game this season, it is one of my coaching philosophies to simply remind our players that we must always respect every opponent. I also believe that we did this throughout the season and especially during the 36-game winning streak. There is also a coaching principle in which I live by and in which I always teach my players. This particular quote is, "Don't ever think you are better than anyone else, but always think you are just as good." This quote was originated by the great coaching legend, John Wooden.

In closing, I would just like to clear up that I am not an arrogant coach or person and I would never show disrespect to an opponent. I simply do not coach that way. Once again, congratulations to the Green Valley Gators.

PETE SAVAGE Head baseball coach at Reno High School