TOP 10 STORIES OF THE YEAR : Big Bad Wolf Persevered Despite Grief

Randy Wolf entered the 1994 high school baseball season on top of the world.

The previous season, the El Camino Real High pitcher was named the City Section 4-A player of the year after pitching the Conquistadores to the City Section Division 4-A title.

Things looked rosy for the left-handed senior with the live arm.

But tragically, Wolf’s father died of a heart attack April 18.

Wolf sat out two games following his father’s death, then hit a home run in his first game back.

But things did not continue as smoothly. He posted a 9-3 record and his team chased rival Chatsworth all season.

But in postseason play, Wolf won El Camino Real’s first two playoff games on a five-hitter and a one-hit shutout and earned a save in the semifinals.

Against Chatsworth in the championship game, Wolf allowed only one hit through the first six innings and the Conquistadores cruised to a 6-1 lead. But Chatsworth stung him for five runs in the top of the seventh to tie it, 6-6.

Still, Wolf hung on, threw two more scoreless innings and El Camino Real won, 7-6.

“I always knew this team would win because we have so much heart,” he said after the game.

None more so than Wolf.

--- UNPUBLISHED NOTE ---

Randy Wolf’s father died on March 27, 1994, not April 18th as stated in this story.

--- END NOTE ---