ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - During spring 2021, Roy Anthony Mariano coached the Laguna Creek Cardinals junior varsity team with a constant smile. Mariano declared himself the “fungo king” when he would hit infield-outfield to his players. 

He had coached some of the players since they were little and was able to coach his son who was a freshman at the time, Justin Mariano. 

Justin recalls his dad wanting to get 100% attitude and effort out of his players as it translates to life and on the field. 

Mariano’s daughter, Marissa, has memories of her father being out at the diamond that include his smile during the summers as he bonded with his players.

Unfortunately, he fell ill during that year and on Oct. 2, 2021, the Cardinals family suffered the loss of Roy Anthony Mariano due to COVID-19 complications.

  Ahead of the Laguna Creek Cardinals second league matchup against the Grant Pacers on March 21, the Cardinals honored Mariano with a ceremony and unveiling of a sign with his name on the left field fence.

During the ceremony, Mariano’s mother, brother, wife and three children unveiled the sign in his honor. Marrisa said “it means a lot for this sign to be hung in left field in his memory” as her father loved being with his players in the field.

“My dad really loved being out there with those boys and for them to continue to honor his legacy and what he’s meant to them means a lot,” Marissa said. 

Marissa hopes that her father is remembered by his positive attitude, work ethic, the constant smile on his face and installing values on and off the field for his players.

Justin Mariano said that it is special to have the Cardinals honor his father for the impact he left on his players.

“Makes me feel like he had a good impact on us and he sent a good message to everybody and just wanted the best for all of us,” Justin said. 

Mariano left a lasting impact and fond memories for many of the current seniors on the Cardinals, who were freshmen when he was the JV coach. Their quotes follow.

Ty Collum: “It means so much to me honestly because growing up playing for him was a pleasure. It meant a lot to us and the team and if I could describe him in one word, it would be inspirational. I’ve known him basically my whole life through playing baseball. I’d say I played for him for about seven years and he was always a part of the team and would always coach me, even if he was in the stands, and we were always good family friends too. He influenced me a lot and he taught us how to be good ballplayers and a good person. Off the field, he was even better since he was always fun and with a positive attitude.”

Nate Ira: “Coach Roy was the heart of the team. Coach Roy always preached putting in a lot of effort and heart to the game of baseball. The best memories I have of him are his role as the “fungo king” and I think all of us would remember times where he would swing and miss at a ball during in-and-out but we always referred to him as the ‘fungo king’ and he was always the fun of the team.”  

Jacob Halseth: “He was such a positive influence on our team and always so inspirational and like our hype man. He always preached attitude and effort so that's what it’ll remind me of whenever I look out there (at coach Mariano’s banner). My favorite memories are him always being positive and he was never down on our team and was trying to get us going and he was always a happy guy. He changed my attitude to be more positive about the game of baseball. Even when things aren’t going well, there are always things we can do to get better and help out the team.” 

Brandon Low: “When I look at coach Roy’s name out there, I see a positive outlook and as a figure that’s looking over me because he’s always with us even after he passed. He would point out what we did badly but would highlight the positives as he was always the positive coach and overall a fun guy. Even when I failed, he would still find a way to make me happy.” 

Christian Saravia: “When I see his name out there, it makes me a better person and player since it makes me want to play baseball for him. He was my coach for one year but he changed the game for me a lot. I remember when he used to throw soft toss since it was perfect. He made me a better person and made me realize life is too short that we need to live it to its fullest and do what you want to do.” 

Brendan Fitzgerald: “Coach Roy always preached hustling and giving 100% so whenever I look out there and I feel like I’m having a bad day, that’s what drives me to keep going to give 100%. I really liked being around him because of the contagious laugh he had put a joy on everyone’s face so he was a happy guy to be around so that’s what I miss about him a lot.”  

Cole Rhodes: “It lifts up the mood so we can come out here and play our games for him and try to make him proud and to play how he taught us, which is to hustle and give 100%. He always taught me to be a better person. His son is my best friend so I’ve known him for years and even before high school, he was teaching me to do the right thing, put my best foot forward and give my best effort. My favorite memories are freshman year practice as he would bring up the mood and make the day overall so much better and made us all happy. 

Leo Li: “It’s influential because throughout freshman year when I was under his coaching, there was a focus on being a better person and not just a better player and I think that’s what he strived to do for all of us. I think I can speak for almost everyone when I say that looking out there gives us a certain mood and drive to be better in that moment. Even on the worst of days during freshman year, there was always some way he could get us to stay in the game, even if we were down by 10.”   

The Cardinals went on to defeat the Grant Pacers 16-0, moving their overall record to 9-3 and 2-0 in league as they continue to honor the life and memory of Roy Anthony Mariano.