Virgen: ‘Quiz’ never gave up
There probably weren’t any pro baseball prospects at the Costa Mesa High Baseball Hall of Fame dinner on Feb. 18, but that didn’t stop Rich Fielder from delivering his message.
Fielder was talking about his friend Dan Quisenberry, a Costa Mesa High alumnus who was the perfect example for Fielder’s important words.
“Don’t ever give up,” Fielder said.
Fielder was talking about Big League dreams, but the message of never quitting could also be applied to whatever the Costa Mesa ball players choose to do. Even then, “don’t ever give up,” is meaningful in baseball. There are many ways to play the game, but, “the right way,” is to always give your full effort.
Fielder knew Quisenberry while playing baseball at Costa Mesa, then Orange Coast College and then at La Verne University (which was then La Verne College). Quisenberry didn’t and couldn’t rely on his talent, so he worked extra hard, Fielder said of his friend who was officially inducted into the Costa Mesa Baseball Hall of Fame.
After Quisenberry, a.k.a. Quiz, was done with college baseball, he went undrafted and was picked up as a free agent by the Kansas City Royals. It was a humbling experience for Quiz, Fielder said, because he had been so successful in college. Quiz is in the Hall of Fame at Orange Coast College.
Quiz never gave up.
He went on to great success in Major League Baseball, finishing with 244 saves and a Game 6 win in the 1985 World Series. He was the elite closer of his time, puzzling batters with his submarine delivery.
He also collected five American League Fireman of the Year awards.
Fielder grabbed everyone’s attention when he talked of his friend’s contracts.
His first big contract went for $8 million and his final contract was for $49 million, Fielder said.
“Not bad for a guy who didn’t get drafted,” Fielder said.
In high school, Quiz wasn’t really thought of as a pro prospect, but he never gave up.
Costa Mesa Coach Paul Grady, who also played for the Mustangs, didn’t know Quiz, because the star pitcher played much earlier in 1971. Grady said he heard Quiz dealt with brain cancer the same way he competed in baseball, with a strong passion.
Quiz, who died in 1999, was known for his sense of humor. He was also witty and enjoyed toying with reporters by providing unique quotes, Fielder said. Quiz loved baseball and also had a deep appreciation for poetry. He published a book of poetry, On Days Like This.
Grady read a passage of a poem that Quiz wrote. It was about his manager Dick Howser, who died of brain cancer in 1987.
“The small man who fought big, now looked us in the eyes,” Grady read. “Just a man who no longer talked of winning but hinted at life beyond champagne.”
It can be said, Quiz learned from many, and also taught while on the mound, with his pen and with his perseverance.
