Bob Milano starred at Cal as a catcher before becoming the Golden Bears’ winningest baseball coach

Bob Milano, an Oakland kid who played catcher at Cal and then became the winningest baseball coach in school history, has died. He was 85.

Milano retired following the 1999 season with 688 career victories. He was inducted to the Cal Athletics Hall of Fame in 2004 and had his jersey number “7” retired by the school.

The school issues a release saying Milano died Monday in Walnut Creek from complications of Alzheimer’s disease.

In 22 seasons as the Golden Bears’ head coach, Milano guided Cal to three College World Series appearances (1980, ‘88 and ‘92) and six NCAA Regional berths. The Bears finished third in the 1980 CWS.

Twelve Cal players were All-Americans under Milano, and among the future Major Leaguers he coached were Giants manager Bob Melvin, Jeff Kent, Darren Lewis, Lance Blankenship, Xavier Nady and Jerry Goff (Jared Goff’s dad).

“Bob Milano wasn’t just a coach; he was a builder of men, a steward of the game, and a mentor whose impact reached far beyond the field,” current Cal baseball head coach Mike Neu said in a statement issued by the school. “His legacy lives on in every player he shaped, every team he led, and in the deep respect he earned throughout the baseball community.”

Milano starred at Oakland’s Bishop O’Dowd High and as a youth played baseball with and against East Bay legends Curt Flood, Joe Morgan, Vada Pinson and Willie Stargell, among others. He played for the Golden Bears Bears in 1960-61, batting a team-best .357 during his first season at Cal.

Milano was the head baseball coach at Burlingame High from 1964-73 before returning to Cal as an assistant coach. He succeeded Jackie Jensen as Cal’s head coach in 1978, a position he held until David Esquer took over in 2000.  Milano continued to support the Cal program in retirement and often could be spotted at home games. He attended Cal’s annual alumni game last January.

In 1997, Milano was the head coach of the United States National Team, and the following year was an assistant for the U.S. squad that won the gold medal at the Seoul Olympics.

Milano was inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2010.

Milano is survived by his wife, Diane, son Bob Jr., daughters Paula, Laura, Audrey and Gina, their spouses, five grandchildren, and his sister Margaret.

A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.

Donations in Milano’s honor can be made to:
The Cal Baseball Foundation, Bob Milano Memorial Fund
Attention: Mr. Dan Deaver, Managing Partner, Cal Class of 1984
CSM&D 1777 Botelho Drive, Suite 350
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
[Tax Identification Number 27-3544183]