Fresno State Athletics
Photo by: ABC30.com
In Memory: Ray O’Canto (1959-2019)
9/17/2019 3:30:00 PM | Baseball
FRESNO, Calif. – Former Fresno State Baseball student-athlete and radio broadcaster Ray O'Canto passed away at the age of 60 on Sept. 14.
O'Canto played two seasons at Fresno State starting in the outfield on the Diamond 'Dogs 1980 and 1981 teams. The 'Dogs combined to go 86-34 in those two seasons, won two NCBA championships and made a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances.
After starring in high school at Redwood High School in Visalia, O'Canto moved on to the College of the Sequoias before joining the Bulldogs where he was an All-NBCA selection as a senior in 1981.
When his time on the baseball diamond ended, O'Canto moved on to a long career in media production and sales. He ran his own advertisement agency, NTD Media, and joined Voice of the Bulldogs Paul Loeffler in the radio booth to call Diamond 'Dog games from 2008-2013.
His first year in the booth, alongside Loeffler, was quite memorable as Fresno State went all the way to the College World Series in Omaha capturing the program's first national championship. It was O'Canto who made the famous call of Steve Detwiler catching the final out of the game as he exclaimed to the Bulldogs to, "Get dirty, baby! Get dirty, get dirty, get dirty!"
"The Red Wave will always remember Ray's exuberant spirit. Even as his physical strength left him, his greatest strength - his contagious enthusiasm and his gift for making people feel special - never waned," said Loeffler. "We saw his Bulldog mentality again as he bravely fought and prayed for more time. Ray will never be forgotten."
O'Canto continued his impact on Fresno State Baseball by returning for Hall of Fame events and was instrumental in helping with jersey retirement ceremonies over the years by helping to produce videos and programs.
"His smile lit up the stadium," Diamond 'Dog head coach Mike Batesole said of O'Canto in the Fresno Bee. "It was so exciting to look over and see him in the dugout during practice or on game day. He always had an exciting story and was excited about the day in front of him. A true Bulldog. We lost a great one."
In May 2016, O'Canto served as the sideline reporter for the game that saw his former head coach, Bob Bennett, get the stadium named in his honor as he interviewed former players about the historic event.
O'Canto also appeared in front of the television screen as he hosted acclaimed shows, Dine Out Along the Road and Beyond the Harvest that highlighted the foods and history of places around the Central Valley.
Memorial Info:
Holy Spirit Catholic Church
355 E Champlain Dr.
Fresno, CA 93730
Oct. 11, 2019, 10 a.m.
"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition and in life. To become a BDF member, please call 559-278-7160.
Follow us on:
Twitter: @FresnoStateBSB
Instagram: fresnostateathletics
Facebook: FresnoStateAthletics
O'Canto played two seasons at Fresno State starting in the outfield on the Diamond 'Dogs 1980 and 1981 teams. The 'Dogs combined to go 86-34 in those two seasons, won two NCBA championships and made a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances.
After starring in high school at Redwood High School in Visalia, O'Canto moved on to the College of the Sequoias before joining the Bulldogs where he was an All-NBCA selection as a senior in 1981.
When his time on the baseball diamond ended, O'Canto moved on to a long career in media production and sales. He ran his own advertisement agency, NTD Media, and joined Voice of the Bulldogs Paul Loeffler in the radio booth to call Diamond 'Dog games from 2008-2013.
His first year in the booth, alongside Loeffler, was quite memorable as Fresno State went all the way to the College World Series in Omaha capturing the program's first national championship. It was O'Canto who made the famous call of Steve Detwiler catching the final out of the game as he exclaimed to the Bulldogs to, "Get dirty, baby! Get dirty, get dirty, get dirty!"
"The Red Wave will always remember Ray's exuberant spirit. Even as his physical strength left him, his greatest strength - his contagious enthusiasm and his gift for making people feel special - never waned," said Loeffler. "We saw his Bulldog mentality again as he bravely fought and prayed for more time. Ray will never be forgotten."
O'Canto continued his impact on Fresno State Baseball by returning for Hall of Fame events and was instrumental in helping with jersey retirement ceremonies over the years by helping to produce videos and programs.
"His smile lit up the stadium," Diamond 'Dog head coach Mike Batesole said of O'Canto in the Fresno Bee. "It was so exciting to look over and see him in the dugout during practice or on game day. He always had an exciting story and was excited about the day in front of him. A true Bulldog. We lost a great one."
In May 2016, O'Canto served as the sideline reporter for the game that saw his former head coach, Bob Bennett, get the stadium named in his honor as he interviewed former players about the historic event.
O'Canto also appeared in front of the television screen as he hosted acclaimed shows, Dine Out Along the Road and Beyond the Harvest that highlighted the foods and history of places around the Central Valley.
Memorial Info:
Holy Spirit Catholic Church
355 E Champlain Dr.
Fresno, CA 93730
Oct. 11, 2019, 10 a.m.
"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition and in life. To become a BDF member, please call 559-278-7160.
Follow us on:
Twitter: @FresnoStateBSB
Instagram: fresnostateathletics
Facebook: FresnoStateAthletics
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