St. Rita coach Mike Zunica isn’t sure how he’s going to react during Saturday’s ceremony in his honor.
Most likely with a smile and a wave to the crowd, or maybe even a bow.
Short and sweet.
What Zunica, 53, made certain during our conversation is there won’t be any tears. At least, not from his eyes. Perhaps from his mother Carol and father Leandro, or the dozens of friends, family and former players who will be there.
“We’re still trying to win baseball games,” he said. “That’s the focus. No, there’s no chance of me being emotional.”
We’ll see.
St. Rita will hold a 15-minute ceremony prior to its 11 a.m. Catholic League Blue game against Loyola.
The man referred to as “Zuni” is retiring at the end of the season. He will continue as St. Rita’s president, a title he has held since July.
His loyal assistant, John Nee, is taking over as coach.
In many ways, this season has been no different than the previous 20 for Zunica — all the way down to the perpetual tan that adorns his face.
Play hard. Respect the game. Win.
There’s one major exception, however. There will be no next season. The final loss in the postseason will signal the end.
Of course, there’s one way the St. Xavier graduate can avoid losing the final game of his storied career, and that’s by celebrating a Class 4A state championship June 10 at Silver Cross Field.
Having the emotional lift of their coach retiring, the Mustangs (18-4) could make it happen.
Of course, Zunica would love to win a state title. Not so much for himself but for his players, both past and present. He’s emphatic the void of a state title on his coaching resume doesn’t bother him.
“Really to me, however it works out, I just want to see my players’ uniforms to be dirty and them sweating,” Zunica said. “I want them to be hanging on every pitch in that last game. As long as we feel that last pitch in our gut and leave it all out there, I’ll be happy.
“Because effort is something we can control. We’re going to bring everything we have. Winning seven games in a row in the playoffs is something we have no control over. I’ll never evaluate my career here on winning a state championship.”
Zunica has been agonizingly close to winning three state championships, but has settled for second place in 2009, 2010 and 2014. He has a 610-189 record, including 30-win seasons 11 times.
The goals this season haven’t changed, but Zunica confirmed he’s taking more time to appreciate things. One was a game at Reavis, where Rams coach Don Erickson presented Zunica a commemorative bat prior to the Mustangs’ 3-1 victory.
“The baseball gods allowed me another trip to Reavis,” Zunica said. “That’s a first-class program and a first-class coach. We’ve had some great games over there. I remember the time we had to get a police escort out of there. That’s a special stop for me.”
There was silence for a few moments before Zunica said, “Everywhere I go, I’m smelling the roses. I’m enjoying every minute. There isn’t a next season for me.”
Zunica’s passion for the game won’t allow him to take his foot off the gas pedal. He’s coaching like he has another 20 seasons in front of him, not behind him.
He knows no other way.
“To be kinder and gentler means to be OK with things not being great,” Zunica said. “I could never roll like that. I would hate myself. I owe it to the kids to hold this to the highest standard, just like I always have.”
Until the final out.
Twitter @disabato
