Billy Disch. Bibb Falk. Cliff Gustafson. And now, Augie Garrido.
Those are the names and faces of Texas baseball that will live forever in front of UFCU Disch-Falk Field in Texas’ version of Monument Park.
The late, great Garrido had his bust revealed Saturday afternoon in front of old and new members of the Texas baseball program, the family of Garrido and hundreds of Texas baseball fans.
The accomplishments compiled by Garrido during his tenure with the Longhorns propelled the program into an elite group in the college baseball world. Athletic director Chris Del Conte emphasized just how much Garrido meant not only to the Texas program, but to all of Texas athletics.
“Texas baseball, as I said last night, is the University of Texas,” Del Conte said during the unveiling ceremony. “Today we get to honor the great Augie Garrido, who restored Texas baseball to national prominence.”
Garrido coached the Longhorns from 1996 to 2016 before retiring. He won five National Championships during his career, two with Texas in 2002 and 2005, and left the sport as the all-time winningest coach in the history of college baseball.
The monument unveiling comes 11 months following the passing of the legendary Longhorn coach. Garrido passed away on March 15, 2018, following complications from a stroke he suffered weeks before.
With the unveiling of his bust coming just minutes before the first pitch of the annual Alumni Game, it allowed for those who played under Garrido an opportunity to pay homage and respect.
Former Texas second baseman and current member of the Detroit Tigers organization, Kody Clemens, elaborated on what being back for Garrido’s bust reveal meant to him.
“Augie is a legend, and it’s an honor for me,” Clemens said. “And I speak on behalf of all the players that got to play for him or get to know him as a friend.”
Clemens continued, “It’s awesome to be able to talk about old memories and be able to share some of those times with him as a friend and as a coach.”
The memories and achievements from Garrido’s time at Texas will not disappear anytime soon. The monument out front of UFCU Disch-Falk Field will only help remind new and old fans alike of the greatness of Augie Garrido.
