As the Head Coach of the Wildcats, Dave Robertson was no stranger to championship environments. After a successful high school career in Lebanon, Oregon, Robertson would receive a scholarship to play baseball at Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon. While at Linfield, Robertson had the opportunity to play for Hall of Fame Coach, Ad Rutschman, grandfather of All Star Catcher Adley Rutschman. Under his tutelage, Robertson would develop a respect for fundamentals and discipline, qualities that would be instilled into his future teams. In addition, he would learn first-hand what it took to develop a championship culture. In 1971, his freshmen year at Linfield, the Wildcats would win the NAIA World Series. This championship would further fuel Robertson’s passion for playing in big games.
After concluding his career at Linfield, Robertson would accept a coaching position at Taft College and stay with the Cougars for 5 years from 1975 to 1979. Under his guidance, the Cougars would continually improve every year, culminating with a 15-5 conference record in 1979, the best season for the Cougars since 1964. The team’s success would earn Coach Robertson Conference Coach of the Year for the ‘79 season.
Shortly after the 1979 season, Robertson would start his career at Taft High, beginning a successful 29-year career. Right from the beginning, Robertson would begin to create his championship culture. In his first 10 seasons as the Head Coach of the Wildcats, his teams would win five SSL titles, advance to the Valley Championship twice, and only have double digit losses in two of those seasons. As dominant as the Wildcat teams of the ‘80s were, the decades to follow would be just as dominate. When Coach’s career was all said and done, he would compile a 456-301-1 record with 10 SSL titles, 8 Valley Championship appearances, and currently ranks in the top 10 of the Central Section’s all time win list. Not to mention the Bakersfield Californian Coach of the Year honors in 2004.
As great as Coach’s teams were, the teams he strived to play were equally as impressive. Robertson’s teams were never afraid of schools much larger and he often would seek out high quality competition. This would also be extended to his postseason appearances. You would be hard pressed to find a coach that faced more Big League talent in the postseason. Starting in 1983 in the Valley Championship game against Washington Union, the Wildcats would face Dennis Springer, who would go on to play 7 years in the big leagues. As if that alone would not be impressive enough, Robertson would also regularly face future big leaguers in the ‘90s. In 1994, the Wildcats would narrowly lose the Valley Championship 2-1 to Yosemite behind the arms of Ted Lily and Jay Spurgeon. As the saying goes, “There’s no rest for the weary”. The following year in ‘95, Robertson would face even more high-quality talent. In the semifinal playoff game vs. Selma, the Wildcats would beat Jaime Cerda, to reach the valley championship. However, the next game was even tougher. In the championship game vs. Exeter, Robertson would narrowly lose Valley to Adam Pettyjohn and Jerome Robertson. Robertson would eventually go on to be a finalist for Rookie of the Year in 2004. In addition to the numerous big leaguers Robertson would face, it’s difficult to quantify the exact number of future minor leaguers, successful collegiate players, and stand out high school players Coach Robertson would face throughout his career.
Despite playing tons of high-quality talent over the years, the talent Robertson produced was just as impressive. As the Head Coach of the Wildcats, he would produce professional athletes, high level collegiate athletes, MVPs, and most importantly, many high quality people. When I look around in this room, I see many people here that Robertson coached. Just looking at our current coaches, I see Coach Day, Coach Houghton, Coach Parsons, Coach Les, myself, and even Dougie!
Please join me in a round of applause for the all-time win leader at Taft Union High School, Coach Dave Robertson.
Hall of Fame
Class of 2024
Dave Robertson
Head Coach | 1981 -2011
Sam Arrington
Class of 1979
To be considered one of the best of all time, there are many characteristics a potential Hall of Famer needs to possess. For one, they needed to have individual success as a Wildcat. Two, they need to have had success beyond the high school ranks. Finally, and most importantly, they need to have led their team to success. What you did individually is not enough. Instead, it’s the impact you had around you that truly puts a player into that next level. In Sam Arrington’s case, he checked off every box.
As a high school player, Sam possessed a reputation that proceeded him. As a 6-4, 225 pound righthander in his junior season, the Midway Driller and Bakersfield Californian would quite often point to his physical size and hard fastball. However, Sam was more than just hype on the diamond. He would regularly back up the hype with dominating results.
During Arrington’s career, the Wildcats were no stranger to stepping up to the moment. In his junior season, the season started very optimistically. The Wildcats would beat longtime rivals, Bakersfield High School to kick off the season. They would then go onto split with eventual Valley Champs, West High, tie with East High and split with South; all quality baseball schools. However, turbulence would begin to hit the Wildcats in the Delano Spring Break Tournament. After being eliminated by Redwood high school, the Wildcats would go through hot and cold spells. However, as a true ace, Arrington would rise to the occasion on the mound every time he got the opportunity. This included back-to-back shut outs of Shafter and Garces in a matter of five days. However, his most noteworthy performances would come in the home stretch of league. At the time, there was only one playoff bracket unlike the current 6 division format. That meant that only the top two teams in league would make playoffs, regardless of school size. Making the playoffs was an accomplishment of itself. However, sporting a 4-5 record and being a couple games out of second place, the Wildcats would need their ace to lead the way. As you would expect, Sam would do just that. Starting with a win over Garces on May 3rd, the ‘Cats would win 4 straight to force a season finale, win-or-go-home against Garces. Unfortunately for the Rams, the ‘Cats would fire on all cylinders and go on to win 21-4, earning them a place in the 1978 Central Section playoffs. However, their late season magic would run out against West High School, who would go onto win the Valley Championship. Despite the loss in playoffs, Arrington would earn several post season accolades for his performance on the mound. Sporting a 6-2 record with a .98 ERA, Arrington would be named to the 1st team SSL and MVP of the Wildcats.
Although the post season accolades and earned birth into the playoffs, a big goal was still not realized, an SSL championship. Coalinga would be crowned the SSL winners of the ‘78 season and Arrington was determined to have the Wildcats as the champions of the ‘79 season. However, instead of just talking about it, in true Taft form, Sam began to put in the work. Shortly after the ‘78 season, Arrington would begin playing on the Taft Merchants County League for the entirety of the summer. The experience of playing in such a high-quality league comprised of current and ex collegiate and pro players would set the tone for his future success.
Going into the ‘79 season, the Wildcats were optimistic about their chances of an SSL title. They returned 10 players, including all-leaguer Greg Coker and Sam Arrington. However, the Wildcats were not the only optimistic team about their chances. Quoted in the Bakersfield Californian, Garces Head Coach Philip Clarke claimed, “If our pitching comes through, we’ll be right on top (of league)”. Despite the confidence, Garces would have another tough time again trying to beat the big right arm of Sam Arrington.
Unlike the ‘78 season, Arrington and the Wildcats wouldn’t have the same types of ups and downs as the previous season. However, the wins never came easy, especially against Garces. Going into their first game against the Rams in league, all eyes were on the matchup between the two best arms in the SSL, Vince Sakowski vs. Sam Arrington. A future Stanford Cardinal, Sakowski was no slouch. Although he was regarded as one of the best hitters in the Valley, he was known to be a great pitcher also.
On April 6th, it would take 9 innings to declare a winner. Tied up 1-1 in the 9th, both pitchers were on their game. Sakowski with 9 Ks and 4 hits allowed, only outmatched by Arrington’s 14 Ks. However, the game would end in a chaotic fashion, only fitting for such a battle. With Greg Coker on third and Keith Oliver at the plate, Oliver would raise his hand to the umpire and ask for time. Despite the request, the umpire would not grant the timeout. This caused miscommunication between Sakowski and his catcher, causing a wild pitch and Coker scoring the winning run. The dramatic walk off finish only further fueled the rivalry. Nearly one month later in a rematch at Garces, the Rams would return the favor and walk off Arrington and the ‘Cats in a 6-5 finish. This would cause a three-way tie in first and create a fierceness in the Wildcats that would spell disaster for their competition.
Going into the last round of league, the Wildcats knew they would have to be perfect to win the league title for the first time since 1973. However, no one said it was going to be easy. All within one game of first place were Taft, Coalinga, Wasco, and Garces. With the similarities in records, one key difference separated the Wildcats from their competition: heart. The Wildcats would come back to win in the last inning of every single game in the last round of league. However, the most impressive game would come in the season finale. With a championship on the line, the Wildcats would take on the Rams at Monty Reedy Field. Just like the other two matchups, it would take extra innings to determine the winner. In true ace fashion, Arrington would put together his strongest outing of the year when the team needed him the most. Going the distance, Arrington would strike out 15 and only walk two intentionally. On the other side of the diamond, Sakowski would be dealt another loss from Arrington, despite another superb outing. The win would earn the Wildcats the South Sequioa League title and a first round home game against perennial small school power, Dos Palos. The Wildcats would make quick business of the Broncos to the tune of a 14-6 beating. However, the next game would be much tougher. With the glaring differences in school sizes, the Wildcats would hit the road and face Mt. Whitney. Coming off a dominating performance against Garces, Arrington would do the same against the Pioneers, throwing a complete game with 0 unearned runs, giving up 3 hits, and striking out 8. However, four errors in the 3rd inning would lead to 2 unearned runs, which eventually would lead to a 2-1 Pioneers win.
Although the heartbreaking loss in playoffs to Mt. Whitney, Arrington’s year long success was glaring. He led the league in nearly every single pitching category: 7 wins, 106 strikeouts, a 1.07 ERA, and 61.1 innings pitched. Sam’s dominance didn’t go unnoticed. Nearly a week after his season concluded, he would be drafted in the 4th round of the MLB draft. Sam still stands as the 5th highest drafted high school player in Kern County history. Despite being recruited by schools such as Fresno State and Oklahoma State, Sam would decide to sign his professional career. Shortly after signing his professional contract, Arrington would be assigned to Rookie Ball with the Twins, where he would spend the rest of the 1979 season. However, the next season is when Sam’s stock would dramatically increase. After starting the season in Rookie Ball, he would be promoted to A Ball and then finish the season in high A with the Visalia Oaks. With the Visalia Oaks is where his dominance would turn heads of the Twin’s front office. In 168 innings, Arrington would go 12-7 with a 3.64 ERA. Very impressive. Impressive enough, in fact, that his success would earn him an invite to big league camp for the 1982 season. During his time with the Twins in big league spring training, Arrington would make it past the first cut before being assigned back to minor league spring training. From spring training, Arrington would be assigned to AA with the Orlando Twins and then reassigned back to the Visalia Oaks where he continued his dominance of the Cal League with another 12-7 record. Shortly after the 1983 season, Arrington would retire due to arm problems.
When it was all said and done, Arrington put together a fine baseball careers,. Not only did he display his own individual dominance, but he was able to lead by example for the betterment of his team. Sam, you stand as a role model for all past, current and future Wildcats. We appreciate your contributions on and off the field. Congratulations and thank you for representing our community to the highest of standards.