Bowdien “Bubba” Derby, a 2012 graduate of La Salle High School in Pasadena, recently had his baseball jersey and number retired during a ceremony at the baseball diamond at Arcadia County Park, the Lancers’ home field.
Derby’s high school career began by being called up to varsity as a freshman, then helping win La Salle’s first-ever Del Rey League championship.
He then capped his career by pitching three outstanding playoff games in the tough CIF Division III bracket, including two no-hitters against Bishop Montgomery and St. Paul, two great hitting teams.
His stellar baseball career continued at San Diego State after Derby was personally recruited to pitch for the Aztecs by their head coach at the time, the late baseball legend Tony Gwinn.
Derby started his Aztec career by striking out college great Kris Bryant (now with the Chicago Cubs), with the bases loaded. He then ended his collegiate career going head-to-head with Dillon Tate (first round draft pick for the Texas Rangers) in the first game of the NCAA Baseball Regionals. The Aztecs won three conference championships in a row riding on Derby’s arm.
In June 2015, Bubba was drafted in the sixth round of the MLB Draft to play professionally for the Oakland Athletics. Darby was recently traded to the Milwaukee Brewers.
Former Lancer Baseball Head Coach Harry Agajanian said, “Bubba, you have brought attention and class to La Salle and to Lancer baseball. I can speak for the entire baseball program and the athletic department when I say that it has been a joy and a privilege to watch you perform and mature through your high school years and beyond. To commemorate your accomplishments as a student of the game, your jersey and number 11 will be retired and displayed on our outfield fence, knowing that you will forever be regarded as a great Lancer.”
