the fifth pick overall by the Seattle Mariners. Esquer also helped develop center fielder Brett Jackson, a first-round pick of the Chicago Cubs in 2009; first baseman David Cooper, a first-round pick of the Toronto Blue Jays in 2008; and third baseman Conor Jackson, who in 2003 was drafted in the first round by the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Beyond the on-field accomplishments, the Cal mentor has also been instrumental in securing several improvements at Evans Diamond – including the new lights and video scoreboard installed at Evans Diamond during the 2013 season – and earlier the Carl Van Heuit Training Center, which provides the Bears with indoor batting cages, bullpens and workout facilities.

Esquer became only the 10th coach in Cal baseball history when he was named head coach of theBears on June 10, 1999, replacing longtime Cal mentor Bob Milano. Esquer came to Berkeley after serving as the top assistant at Pepperdine from 1996-99. Prior to working at Pepperdine, he was the No. 2 assistant coach at Stanford from 1991-96.

At Pepperdine, Esquer was the program's chief recruiting coordinator as well as hitting instructor, infield coach and handler of the third base coaching duties. During his three seasons with the Waves, Pepperdine compiled a record of 112-63 (.640). During his six-year stint at Stanford, the Cardinal were 222-142 (.610) and advanced to the NCAA Tournament five times, including a trip to the Col-lege World Series in 1995.

A shortstop at Stanford from 1984-87, Esquer was a starter on the Cardinal's 1987 College World Series championship team. He earned all-tournament