For a guy who once poured most of his energy into basketball, Rodger Anderson has accomplished a lot in baseball.
In the 1970s at Lake Stevens High School, Anderson excelled in basketball. He later played it at Edmonds Community College and Western Washington University.
But the past two decades Anderson has earned a reputation as a successful, caring baseball coach at Lake Stevens High. He will begin his 21st season as the Vikings’ head coach this spring. By then, Anderson will be a Hall of Famer.
Along with two other coaches, Anderson will be inducted at noon Saturday into the Washington State Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the Doubletree Hotel near SeaTac International Airport.
“To be honest, I can’t think of a better guy for the award,” said Mitch Canham, who played for Anderson at Lake Stevens.
It’s quite an honor, Anderson said. But the 1977 Lake Stevens High graduate joked that it makes him more conscious of his age.
“I used to go to these banquets and think, ‘Hey, those (Hall of Fame) guys are really old. I don’t know if I’ll be coaching when I’m that old.’”
Anderson, who has a career record of 286-170 at Lake Stevens, doesn’t plan to stop coaching any time soon. Part of the appeal is always trying to improve, he said.
“I wasn’t a real student of the game when I played baseball (in high school). I always try to keep learning. That’s what makes it fun,” said Anderson.
Anderson’s teams have won or shared seven league championships, won three district championships and qualified for eight state tournaments, including three top-four finishes: fourth place in 1997, third in 1994 and second in 1999.
Asked about his favorite experiences, Anderson said it’s been having more than 40 Lake Stevens products play in college and become well-rounded people. The list includes Canham, who was part of two College World Series-winning teams at Oregon State University and is now in the San Diego Padres organization.
Canham, who still calls Anderson “Coach,” said Anderson is dedicated and supportive.
“He just wants everyone to have a good time and to enjoy the game, and not make it negative,” said Canham. “He’s a very positive person. I don’t think I’ve ever heard him cuss in his life.”
Others standouts who played for Anderson include Ryan Bundy, Ryan Oase, Beau Blacken, Hal Bisnett, Matt Fields, Matt Stevens and Ryan Verdugo.
Generous, true, caring — those words describe Anderson, said Jim Willie, who for the past six seasons has been co-head baseball coach with Anderson at Lake Stevens. Anderson and Willie have coached together 15 years in all.
Willie said he admires what Anderson has helped Lake Stevens baseball become: “It’s just evolved into a pretty solid program.”
Most importantly, Willie said, Anderson respects student-athletes.
“It’s extremely evident that he cares about his players a lot, and they know that,” said Willie. “He does whatever it takes to help them out.”
Writer Mike Cane: mcane@heraldnet.com. Check out the prep sports blog Double Team at www.heraldnet.com/doubleteam.
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