Socorro High School baseball coach Chris Forbes retires after 25 years
August 20, 2009
Standing to the right of the pitcher's mound at the field that bears his name, Socorro High School baseball coach Chris Forbes retired as a winner on Thursday.
Written by Aaron Bracamontes, The El Paso Times
Socorro head baseball coach Chris Forbes reacts as he talks about his retirement Thursday at Chris Forbes Field. (Photos by Mark Lambie/El Paso Times)
SOCORRO -- Standing to the right of the pitcher's mound at the field that bears his name, Socorro High School baseball coach Chris Forbes retired as a winner on Thursday. In 25 years, Forbes molded the Bulldogs into El Paso's top high school baseball program -- a program that has made the state playoffs 20 times and won 16 district titles under his watch. This past June, Socorro delivered El Paso County's first state championship in 60 years. "It's been outstanding from Day 1 all the way to today," Forbes said. "What a great career it's been, and that's just a tribute to the great kids we've had." With a record of 577-182, Forbes said he knew 2009 was going to be his last season, and he is thankful that he was able to end his career on top. "There is no better way to get (victory No. 577) than with a state championship," Forbes said. "I always tell the team, 'There's only one team that makes the playoffs and finishes the year with a win, and that's the state champion.'" The decision to walk away was made a couple of years ago, he said, regardless of how this past season turned out. "The kids knew that," Forbes said. "I didn't really realize that was part of their incentive. But after we won it, the kids said that's the way they wanted to send me out." George Stoltz said he was honored to be a part of Forbes' final year. "I really didn't start thinking of a baseball championship until I got to high school," Stoltz said. "He's a smart coach and puts everyone in the right situations." Forbes will remain a teacher at Socorro for at least two more years. Johnny Aldaz, who graduated three years ago and plays at Northwood University, was on hand for Thursday's announcement. "It's weird, in a way," Aldaz said. "I just felt like he'd be a guy who would coach until he was 80." Senior Angel Soria said losing Forbes will hurt, but that the team will continue what he taught them. "All the things he showed us, we're going to try to show it to (freshmen)," Soria said. "He told me he was going to come and help us out. I hope he does."
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