Raymond Wins Baseball Job at Cleveland

After spending more than 30 years coaching a variety of other high school sports, Rich Raymond has finally got what he wanted: the varsity baseball job.

Raymond, 58, who played college baseball and has coached the junior varsity baseball team at Cleveland High since 1984, has been named the varsity coach, replacing Ray Todd, who has retired from coaching. Todd, who missed much of last season because of a recurring heart problem, will remain at the school as a counselor and assistant athletic director.

During his career Raymond has coached cross-country, swimming and football, most of that coming in a 22 1/2-year tenure at Monroe High. Raymond was additionally a co-coach of the Cleveland football team in 1983 and ’84.

“It seems like I coached them all,” Raymond said. “But there was always a long line for baseball.”

Raymond played football and baseball at Pepperdine in 1955-56 and was an assistant coach of the school’s freshman baseball team as a graduate assistant in 1957. He has been employed by the L. A. Unified School District since 1957.

Raymond admits he faces a difficult task in rebuilding a program that last won a City Section title in 1982.

“We’re an exceptionally young team,” he said. “We could have as many as eight or nine 10th-graders playing for the varsity.”

Pat Bryant, a returning All-City outfielder, and right-handed pitcher Bobby McRae will return, however.

Raymond’s hiring should add stability to the program. Last season, while Todd was restricted from coaching by his doctor, the baseball team was coached by committee.