Posted on: Sunday, May 20, 2001

Murakami says thanks, farewell after 31 years

• Les Murakami's farewell speech
• Ferd Lewis: Les' longevity truly remarkable

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

Les Murakami doffs his cap while riding in an electric car with wife, Dot, during a ceremony to honor the UH baseball coach. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

There have been memorable rallies during the 31 years of University of Hawai'i baseball. But the greatest comeback of all time occurred after the fourth inning of last night's Rainbow-UH-Hilo baseball game.

For the first time since his Nov. 2 stroke, which kept him away from coaching, retiring UH baseball coach Les Murakami made his first public appearance at the house that he visualized and built. At 7:26 p.m., the ceremonies began, an inning later than planned because the guest of honor was late arriving.

(He did make two appearances at the stadium earlier in the week, apparently to work out logistics. Tuesday's appearance was the first time his players had seen him since the stroke.)

"I just want to thank everyone for showing up," Murakami's son, Robbie said, speaking on behalf of his family. "We're just honored that everyone came out tonight, to support us. Just a lot of good memories here. We're just thankful for everything the people of Hawai'i have given us."

The Rainbow Stadium crowd of 3,192 — the largest of the season — stood and applauded as soon as Murakami and his family rode out in an electric car from the gates behind first base. The coach, in the back seat with his wife, Dot, was accompanied by son, Robbie, who was driving the vehicle, and daughter, Kris, seated in the passenger seat. It was only appropriate that his family accompany him, for his wife and children have spent much of their lives at Rainbow Stadium.

With the voice of Rainbow baseball Don Robbs serving as master of ceremonies, it was announced the Murakami's uniform No. 11 would be retired. Prior to the game, his family accepted the Chuck Leahey award on behalf of Murakami. The award is usually given at the Easter Baseball Tournament.

Meanwhile, the family drove around the perimeter of the infield, as Murakami doffed his cap to the fans, who stood for the entire 20-minute ceremony.

Murakami's players, coaches and staff lined up between first and third bases behind the pitchers mound. When the car stopped in front of the mound, a taped recording of Murakami was played before a silent crowd. On a night when the fans came out to show their appreciation, it was Murakami who made the effort to thank the fans for the 30-plus years of support. Renee Nishi, bat girl of the Rainbows for 26 years, gave Murakami a maile lei.

The ceremony continued with the Murakami family circling the infield again, this time with Israel Kamakawiwoole's version of "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" playing on the public address system. As the car reached first base, he was greeted by friends, among them former athletic director Paul Durham, who hired Murakami.

As the car reached third base, it stopped, with Dot Murakami coming out, stepping on the bag, and bowing to the crowd.

The players, who were now lined behind the third base line, then greeted the coach by doffing their caps as the car slowly rolled by them. At the end of the line, UH acting coach Carl Furutani, a long-time assistant to Murakami, gave the coach a hug.

But the most touching moment came after, when Kris handed her father his walking aid. Murakami then leaned slightly out and tapped the plate with the walking aid.

"It was touching, very touching, the way he went out," said Derek Tatsuno, the greatest pitcher in the school's history, who was seated behind home plate.

Tatsuno, whom Murakami called the Pied Piper, said he has not been to many games of late, but was pleased to be back.

"In a way, it brings back all the good memories that we had," he said. "Being able to see coach, which I haven't seen in a long time."

A number of former players were seen in the seats.

"It's sad to see that this is his last year, but he deserves a going out like this because he built this program," said former UH second baseman Steve Otani. "He got some local players to come out to play some college baseball."

The night brought out some longtime friends. One was retired umpire Hide Yamashita.

"This is great," said Yamashita. "I was so happy for him. He was the guy that built this stadium and I'm glad they really honored him."

Yamashita recalled when Murakami only dreamed of Rainbow Stadium.

"I stood with him, way back in 1970, when he told me he was going to build this stadium and he came through with it," Yamashita said.

NOTES

Happenings at the stadium:

• Fans entering the stadium were asked to sign and write a message to Murakami.

• Danny Kaleikini sang the national anthem and Hawai'i Ponoi.

• About 30 fans were waiting outside the gates some 30 minutes before the ticket office and gates were scheduled to open at 4:30 p.m.

• An orange-colored "11," Murakami's uniform number, was painted in the third-base coach's box.

• The Rainbows came out decked in last year's uniforms — white shirts and pants with green trimming and orange sleeves. They also wore last year's green caps with the orange bill.

Although orange is not one of the official school colors, it always has been a part of the baseball program's uniforms as a tribute to the AJA Sheridan franchise. Murakami borrowed pants from Sheridan when he became coach at UH in 1971. But in the sixth inning, the Rainbows changed into an all-orange top with white pants.