Bobby Molinaro Sr is the former Head Coach of Suffolk West Community College from 2002-2010. He helped lead them to the JuCo College World Series three times during that span. Additionally, several of his coaches have gone on to carve out their own successful coaching careers as well. His son, Bobby Jr, is entering his senior season at Babylon HS and is one of the top left-handed pitchers in Suffolk County.
I had a chance to speak with Bobby Sr, and here’s what he had to say…
During your youth, who were some ballplayers you tried to emulate?
Willie Randolph and Don Mattingly.
Who are some influential people in your life?
Baseball wise I would say Jack Bryant (coached at Briarcliffe and Suffolk West). Incredible knowledge of the game. In life, my two kids. Life changes when you have children, you tend to look at the world differently.
What was the biggest thrill of your coaching career?
Winning my first championship and making 1st World Series appearance. When I first took Suffolk West over, the AD had begged to make sure we fielded a team. I laughed as I had bigger goals. I felt it was important to prove all the people wrong who told me it was impossible to win at Suffolk West. It was equally rewarding to see players move on to four year schools. I still keep in touch with several of them who have gone on to have successful career and have children of their own. I also find it rewarding seeing former athletes and staff make names for themselves. Rich Gonzalez (Brentwood) was my hitting coach. Bobby DeMichael (Prospect Sports) was my pitching coach. Connor Burke (Maine), Ryan McSherry (Longwood), Steve Corrado (North Babylon), Jonathan Grosse (Brown) are a couple of coaches who I have coached along the way. I also still have ex-players of mine as my assistant coaches for travel baseball.
Reaching the College World Series is no small task–can you explain what was it about those Suffolk teams that allowed it to be so successful?
Success at the college level wasn’t easy. You have to have the right set of kids that buy into your philosophy. I am a details type coach. We would run drills thousands of times. The old saying “don’t practice till you get it right, practice till you can’t get it wrong”. That was our team. I demanded them to give their very best. They did. I had hard-nosed kids who refused to give up. I also had a hitting coach in Rich Gonzalez who the kids loved and respected so they would work harder for him.
What are the biggest issues you see at the younger levels and why baseball has taken a back seat to lacrosse on Long Island?
Parents! They have turned playing baseball into a job for most of these kids. If a kid doesn’t enjoy what he is doing, he will not want to do it. It’s tough to watch parents yell every single pitch and yell into their kids’ ears and make them nervous to pitch or hit. I think lax is too fast-paced for kids to worry about what their parents are saying or doing.
What are your goals for your son, Bobby?
Bobby has been doubted his whole life.
Still is being doubted. Yet every level he has played at, he has adapted to and succeeded. JV to varsity in League 8 was a big jump and you saw the numbers he put up. School to summer ball was another jump and he succeeded there as well. Babylon is a small school, which makes it harder for him. He hit over .500 against Center Moriches with each one of those guys throwing mid 80s. His only pitching loss came against them as well which is nothing to be ashamed about as they went undefeated. Bobby has a lot of pop for a thin kid, and he certainly hits for average. On the mound, he doesn’t throw 90 but has good command of his offspeed pitches, keeps hitters off balance and gets kids out. I feel he needs a coach who will be less into the metrics and more into the compete level. His body will grow. So when you ask what are my goals for Bobby, that’s an easy one to answer…to continue to prove everyone wrong.
