CSU-Pueblo baseball coach Stan Sanchez retires after 26 years

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) -- What a coaching career for Stan Sanchez at CSU-Pueblo. It's littered with RMAC titles, trips to the NCAA tournament and an appearance in the division two College World Series in 1996.

"One of the most fortunate people to be in the game, coming from a very low income you know scenario. I climbed the ladder, I was a high school coach, head coach, junior college head coach. I paid my dues and I am proud of that," said Sanchez.

He paid his dues at CSU-Pueblo as well. When he was hired in 1993 to restart the program it was bare bones.

"There was a backstop and a sandlot field," he said. "They played soccer in the outfield. There was no fence. Two years later we're in the World Series. Brings a tear to my eye to think about all the hard work."

But for Sanchez coaching baseball has never been about the work.

"Players, player relationships, yeah I'll miss that," he said. It has always been about his players and that's why he kept thoughts of retirement to his inner circle.

"I thought it was best to wait and at the end of it just say okay I'm done."