Goodbye, Coach
Palmview’s Manuel “Ricky” Garcia retires
Eighteen years ago, La Joya ISD and the greater La Joya community entrusted one man to lead a new era of La Joya Baseball when Palmview High School opened. That man, a former college baseball player and longtime assistant coach at La Joya High, had no qualms with building a program from the ground up. Since then, his two regional final appearances, eight district championships, including five in the past five years, and 351 wins have proved they made the right choice.
“When I had my interview for the Palmview job, I told myself and the committee that if I weren’t winning by the third year, I would take myself out. That way, I give myself a challenge that I have to make the playoffs at least and start winning,” Palmview Baseball Head Coach Manuel “Ricky” Garcia said. After one playoff berth in their first three seasons, the program began ascending the rungs of the RGV baseball world. “We had a letdown third year, but after that, everything exploded. We started making the playoffs against good quality teams. It wasn’t an easy task, but we kept on grinding and pushing, Garcia said when describing the development of the Lobos’ program.”
Garcia has been a linchpin in Palmview High athletics for nearly two decades, building the Lobos baseball program into one of the winningest programs in the RGV and all of South Texas. His teams played with passion, intelligence, and grit, actively animated and inspired by the program’s core values, summed up in three words: Belief, Trust and Faith (BTF). Parents from across La Joya entrusted Coach Garcia and his longtime staff to develop their children into top-notch baseball players and productive citizens. The close-knit staff produced numerous college baseball players, inspiring students to become successful professionals, trusted friends and beloved husbands and fathers.
“It’s been a great ride. I had some great coaches, and I attribute it all to them. We developed the program with us opening a brand-new school and starting it from the bottom,” Garcia said as he thought back to Palmview baseball’s humble beginnings.
After 10 years of deliberation, Garcia, along with his family, decided this year would be his last. His team’s recent success, the thrill of competition, and the prospect of battling some of the Valley’s best in a re-aligned conference next year weren’t strong enough to keep him. He’s finally ready to leave on his own terms, optimistic about his future in retirement.
“My wife has been retired from education for 10 years, so I thought maybe it’s time for me. My coaches make fun of me because after every year I always say ‘maybe one or two years more’ and then my wife told me I’ve been saying that for 10 years,” Garcia said with laughter.
The strength of the Lobos’ program and those in charge give Garcia confidence that the success will continue. Assistants Mateo Garcia and Mario Hernandez have been with the program since its inception 18 years ago, while Jorge Arias and Coach Garcia’s son Emmanuel, who played for the Lobos in their inaugural season, have been with the program for five years. The Lobos’ job is sure to attract quality candidates from across the state. If any of those men are in the running, expect the Lobos to continue ascending to new heights.
“Seeing the coaches I have, seeing them coach… They know what to do, and with what we’ve done as a team, as a group, as a coaching staff, this is the right time for one of them to take over. They’ve been ready for a while. Any one of those guys can take over and probably do as good or even better than I did as a head coach,” Garcia said about his assistants being possible candidates for the Lobos’ head coaching vacancy.
Garcia is content as he reminisces about his battles against Barton Bickerton, Eliseo Pompa, Eddie Serna, Rene Morales, and others across the state, humbled that his name would even be mentioned alongside theirs. Garcia will now turn his attention to expanding his role in the Rio Grande Valley Baseball Coaches Association, helping Valley high school baseball players access scholarship opportunities at the collegiate level, and organizing the annual RGVCA All Star game. Although he may be retired, Garcia has one more game left to coach, as he was recently nominated to coach one of the 5A squads at this year’s Texas High School Baseball Association All-Star Game in Round Rock, Texas, next month.
“To be selected to coach in that Game is an honor,” Garcia said when asked about his nomination to the All Star game.
Manuel Garcia, or “Ricky” as he is affectionately known, spent the better part of three decades giving the city of La Joya and La Joya ISD his best. For the last 18 years, he worked tirelessly and succeeded in building the Lobos into a premier baseball program. His spirited legacy of dedication to one’s craft, love for one’s team and family, and the inner struggle to dominate will be the hallmarks he leaves behind.
“I just want them [my former players] to know I had a blast. I enjoyed every moment of it. They taught me a lot, and I’m hoping I taught them something to keep for the rest of their lives. They are incredible kids who come over to Palmview, and we try to do our best with who we get,” Garcia said when remembering his former players.
Last year, Progress Times published a story about Garcia’s 300th career win. To read more about that special evening and about Garcia’s illustrious career click here:
