VIN'S PEOPLE: Manatee County to honor legendary Hurricanes baseball and softball coach

Ask John Carlock how long he spent coaching Manatee High ballclubs at G.T. Bray Park and the answer befits his sense of humor.

“I spent so much time on those fields, I shake my head and clay falls out of my ears,” the retired 78-year-old joked.

Try a good portion of four decades. Including two seasons at Palma Sola Park, Carlock skippered Canes baseball from 1984-93 (158 wins) and followed that successful run with two more, coaching Canes fastpitch softball from 1996-2003 (133 wins) and 2008-13 (115 wins).

“Those kids took a lot of pride in their home,” Carlock said of the Canes and G.T. Bray. “Good memories.”

Memories that will be stirring this week when Manatee County names the Canes’ diamond "John Carlock Field." The county commission will honor Carlock and his legacy with a resolution early in Monday’s 9 a.m. meeting and dedicate the ballfield with a celebration and sign unveiling beginning 5:45 p.m. Friday.

“It feels great they think of me like that,” said Carlock, who was also an assistant football coach on three Manatee state championship teams and coached Braden River High baseball for two years. “I couldn’t have done it without a lot of people behind the scenes helping me. I’m thankful. It’s very precious.”

Especially now.

A Vietnam veteran, retired educator and grandfather, Carlock is dealing with Parkinson's disease, but carries on the best he can.

“Just can’t ride my bike everywhere like I used to,” he quipped.

When it comes to naming his players, Carlock mentions Brian McRae, Brian Tollberg, Lance Carter – former major leaguers all – and Pat Cline and Rob Viera among others.

But Carlock also mentions Cullen McRae, Brian’s younger brother, a ’91 alum who died last month. He was 49.

Carlock and his wife, Judi, joined McRae’s teammates at the funeral.

“They all wore blue T-shirts with Cullen’s name and number (1). I did, too. It was hard to keep a dry eye. He’s gone way too soon. I think about him every day.”

Carlock also thinks of the young women whose success as Canes helped bring about this week’s events.

“Jennifer Page. Brooke Dowdy. Shannon Brockett. Cindi Micochera. Meredith Headings. Krista Latessa, who’s coaching Manatee now. Taylor O’Quinn, who’s having a baby any day …

“Before I switched from baseball to softball I thought I wasn’t going to do it very long, but I did,” he continued. “The girls’ will to win is just as strong as the guys.

“All those kids kept me coaching and we got a lot out of it.”

Many will be on hand for Friday’s dedication, too. Carlock can’t wait.

“Think I’m going to sneak over there after dark,” he kidded. “Pull up the tarp covering the sign and see what it looks like.”

· Well done to Daughtrey Elementary’s  Jo’Leyla VanHouter, Manatee County Retired Educators Association fifth-grade essay winner.

· A bow to Jeanne Haluska, Blake Medical Center Registered Nurse, retiring after 42 years – 40 in the ER!

· A salute to Detective Justin Warren, 20 years with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.

· Big ups to Matt Kitchie, back at Southeast as new AD. The former Noles quarterback was head football coach at Ruskin’s Lennard High.

· And Marcus Francis is 42.

Vin’s People runs Sundays. Email Vin Mannix at vinspeople@gmail.com. Or call 941-962-5944. Twitter: @vinmannix.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: VIN MANNIX: Manatee County dedicating baseball field to John Carlock