Gary Groenen

JUANITA -- Last week's firing of Juanita baseball coach Gary Groenen relates to most of us inevitably.

Will you know when it's time to retire, or will someone else have to tell you?And if that happens, will the someone else know what he or she is talking about?Or are you still a capable employee?

Concerning Groenen, was Juanita principal Jane Todd right or wrong when she terminated one of the winningest high school baseball coaches in state history?

Initial reaction: Wrong, wrong, wrong.A Hall of Fame coach with a 498-264 record, 14 state tournament appearances and three state titles should go out on his own terms, whenever he wants.
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But Applegate and Todd would not explain specifically why Groenen was fired, forcing the Go 2 Guy to dig for answers.
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A colleague said: "Gary's an institution, but I don't know if he's been coaching a lot of baseball the last 10 years."

In response, Groenen, 67, said he still relates to kids, while acknowledging they have changed since the '70s and '80s when "they'd do anything you asked, run through a brick wall for you."

"It's a new ballgame," Groenen said over coffee at Frosty's, another Juanita institution where he has breakfast every Sunday."It's the nature of society, not just baseball or athletics, but it's been a little more toward coddling kids.And everything is questioned more."

What's interesting -- Groenen is not a strict disciplinarian.He's laid-back.If he were in the pros or college ranks, he'd be known as a players' coach.

"Our No. 1 principle -- it's got to be fun," he said."If you're not having fun, you shouldn't be out here."

You'd think that style would be more apt to mesh with kids than hard-nosed, but apparently not at Juanita, where Groenen earned around $3,800 as baseball coach, hardly enough to justify this grief.

As for the other criticisms, Groenen did not want to change how he handled his teams, and can you blame him given the success of his system?

"We did everything this year the way we did it the previous 32 years," he said.

Because the kids have changed, Groenen was expected to also, but he refused.His coaching philosophy had worked before, and it would work again.The Juanita administration thought otherwise.

Groenen was notified of his termination via e-mail, which sounds Fairbanks cold.But a source said Applegate was left with no other option because Groenen would not come to see him.
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"In the end, it's a game," said Groenen, who would tell his players: "I hope you grew from it."

Many did.One of his supporters speaks highly of Groenen and harshly of Todd and Applegate.
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Another former player, now coaching in Minnesota, recently apologized to Groenen "for being a butt" and asked for advice.The father of five, including twins, Groenen told him how he balanced family and coaching.

After growing up in Mount Vernon and earning his degree at Western Washington, Groenen taught and coached in Oak Harbor before moving on to Juanita.

His teams captured state titles in '85, '87 and '92, a season that started with Groenen discovering he had prostate cancer.He beat that, but had another health issue in '99, undergoing quadruple bypass surgery.Two years ago, he had a pacemaker installed.

Now this, which bothers him more than any of his ailments did.Asked if it's possible that Juanita made the right decision, Groenen said: "I've let that thought cross my mind, but in the final analysis, no.If I felt like I couldn't do the job ... but that's not the way I felt.I was looking forward to next year."

Instead, next year will be filled with rounds of golf and a seat in the stands as Groenen plans to watch the Rebels at Gary Groenen Field, named in his honor three years ago.

The Rebels beat Bothell 1-0 that day, and Groenen was thrilled -- his entire family was there, and he really felt like the players wanted to win the game for him.

Groenen hoped to coach one or two more years.There are hard feelings, but Groenen won't go there, waffling between his actual thoughts and those for public consumption.In 762 games, he was never thrown out 'til now.

"Sure it hurts, but I've had a great career," he said."It shouldn't have ended this way, but there's no animosity.They did what they had to do."

I don't know if Groenen was hosed or not.

KIRKLAND -- For once, Gary Groenen didn't have quick response.

So after a festive ceremony that officially named Juanita High School's baseball field "Gary Groenen Field," Groenen took the microphone, said his thank yous, and proclaimed, "I think it's time we play ball."

Groenen's been part of "Play Ball" with the Rebels for 31 years.Yesterday, at age 64, he worked the dugout and the third-base coach's box just as he has each spring since 1972.

When Groenen started coaching at Juanita, Americans had not heard of Watergate, cell phones, disco or Star Wars.
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Groenen has never had a losing record in league games.

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Former players, many from Groenen's three state championship teams, returned to honor their coach.The band played, the sun shined, streamers waved in the wind, a sign was unveiled.

Groenen was given a plaque and a few dozen hugs.But most important, Groenen shared the moment with his wife of 43 years, Roxetta, and the couple's five children and six grandchildren.His son Darryl came from East Wenatchee, sons Jerry and Jeff from California.Daughter Julie came from Seattle and daughter Jill from Alaska.

"I feel honored," Groenen said."I don't know if I'll be able to hit infield."

Groenen's wit did not stay tucked away for long.

"It just goes to show, if you stick around long enough ..."

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Groenen said his success was determined by the great players he had at Juanita.

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Cassidy, who coached with Groenen in the summer and later against him at Redmond, recalled Groenen's competitive spirit.
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But they kept the secret from Groenen.

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Groenen received a telephone call yesterday morning informing him that the game had been switched to Juanita.He sensed a surprise when he arrived at the field about 1:30 p.m.But he took it in stride.

"I'll remember the three titles," said Groenen, "but every year has something memorable about it, especially working with great kids."

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Bishop and Barb, both juniors, are two main reasons, Groenen recently decided to return and coach next year.
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Bishop said players had a meeting Thursday and became aware that Groenen needed a victory to avoid his first losing season.
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The Groenen family, including Groenen's assistant coach of 18 years Rich Wharf, was last to leave the field.There were more memories to relive.

And for Groenen, more memories to make.

"I didn't think they would do something like this," Groenen said.

"It makes me feel pretty darn good."