Saint Mary’s College of California will retire Tony Gonsolin’s No. 15 jersey to honor his significant impact on the men’s baseball program. The ceremony will take place on Friday, January 29, 2027, during the preseason banquet held at the Soda Center on the college campus in Moraga, California.
Gonsolin was a standout two-way player for the Saint Mary’s Gaels baseball team, excelling both as a hitter and a relief pitcher. He played a key role in the Gaels’ first West Coast Conference (WCC) Tournament Championship and NCAA Regional appearance in 2016.
In 2016, he posted a .307 batting average, a .400 on-base percentage, and collected 65 hits, earning All-WCC First Team honors. Over his collegiate career, Gonsolin maintained a .305 batting average with 204 hits in 192 games. He is tied for 17th in career triples and ranks fourth all-time at Saint Mary’s with 13 saves. As a pitcher, he made 53 appearances primarily as a reliever and closer, achieving a career-high seven saves in 2015.
A native of Vacaville, California, Gonsolin was selected in the ninth round of the 2016 MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers. He made his Major League Baseball debut in 2019 and contributed to the Dodgers’ 2020 World Series championship. In 2022, he earned MLB All-Star recognition after a stellar 16-1 record with a 2.14 ERA.
Saint Mary’s head coach Eric Valenzuela praised Gonsolin’s lasting influence on the program, saying, “We could not be more proud and honored to retire Tony’s number 15 jersey and solidify him as one of the all-time Gaels. Tony has been a staple for our program not just as a player but also as an alum and he has been a great source of inspiration for all of our players. He was not only a standout player for us but has also become a dear friend and we can’t wait to celebrate him at this year’s banquet.”
Gonsolin joins four other Saint Mary’s baseball players with retired jerseys displayed on the left field wall at the Soda Center: Tom Candiotti (#49), Mark Teahen (#10), Corbin Burnes (#16), and Dr. Miles McAfee (#11).
CSB Take
Retiring Tony Gonsolin’s jersey honors his exceptional dual-role contributions at Saint Mary’s College and his rise to Major League Baseball success. His achievements helped elevate the Gaels’ baseball program and provide a model of excellence for current and future players. The ceremony will reinforce the connection between the program’s proud history and its ongoing ambitions.
Source: Original report
