San Mateo American honored

“This is, in the almost 70-year history of San Mateo baseball, the most decorated team we’ve ever had in our city,” Gordon said on the floor of the council chambers. “More games wearing the San Mateo jersey than anybody ever has, and have set a standard that is going to be hard to top.”

This summer marked the last Gordon will coach for San Mateo American Little League, with his youngest son Cody Gordon aging out of the 12-year-old Majors level. Majors is a quintessential Little League season, as it is the one year the team competes for a chance to play in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania at the Little League World Series.

American advanced through two of the four stages on the road to Williamsport, capturing both the District 52 and Section 3 championships. They saw their season end at the Northern California tournament in Madera. Nor Cal champion Land Park Pacific-Sacramento advanced to the West Region tournament in San Bernardino. Hawaii won the West Region banner and is currently playing in the Little League World Series, suffering its first lost Monday in the double-elimination tournament.

Nash read a list of American’s championship achievements on the council floor Monday, starting with the team’s 10-and-under season in 2022 as District 52, Section 3 and Nor Cal champions.

“To the players, coaches and families, you have made San Mateo incredibly proud,” Nash said during the presentation. “Your journey may not have ended with the ultimate trophy this year, but your accomplishments, the friendships you forged, and the lessons you’ve learned will last a lifetime.”

Eleven of American’s 12 players — Ryan Derossett, Cody Gordon, William Meza, Christopher Moreno, Jagger O’Brien, Pono Rosenberg, Maddox Stone, Matthew Ward, Milo Werner, Carter Weyer, Hudson Wong and Connor Workman — were on hand, along with coaches John Stone and Dan Workman.

“These kids have represented this city incredibly well,” Jason Gordon said. “As you can see, they’ve worn ‘San Mateo’ across their chests at every step of the way. I don’t think we could have asked for 12 better kids to represent our team, our community. ... I’m sad that we’re not playing right now on ESPN with these parents getting to see their kids at the Little League World Series. But there’s nothing more these kids could have done for their community.”

It was a bittersweet ceremony of Jason Gordon, who started coaching San Mateo Little League in 2016 when his oldest son Chase played for the San Mateo American Rockies as a 6-year-old. He said the last thing he envisioned was becoming a Little League coach.

“No, because I wasn’t going to coach at all,” Jason Gordon said. “... I figured I’d love to coach high school at some point, but Little League ... I can just play golf. But it’s been a hell of a ride.”

A native of Pacifica, Jason Gordon is part of a legendary sports family. His brother Ryan Gordon once held the Terra Nova football’s all-time passing record, until Ryan’s son Anthony Gordon, Jason’s nephew, broke his father’s school record in 2014.

Jason Gordon relocated to San Mateo because his wife Robin works in the athletics department at Stanford University, making for shorter commute. Pacifica’s loss was San Mateo’s gain as Jason Gordon would make his mark as the most successful Little League All-Stars coach in San Mateo American history.

“He’s got some magic,” said Jeff Gilbert, president of San Mateo American Little League.

“[He’s] always calm,” Gilbert said. “He doesn’t scream and yell. He doesn’t do any of that stuff.”

“He’s the coach we all try to be,” said Jon Wells, San Mateo American All-Stars 11-and-under manager.

It was a bittersweet ceremony for Gilbert as well, who is stepping down as San Mateo American Little League president. Wells will take over the post next season.

“Jeff has been the backbone of our league and as he steps into retirement ... we owe him a tremendous debt of gratitude for his years of service, leadership and commitment to our community’s youth,” Nash said.

Jason Gordon’s ties to Pacifica were evident in the Nor Cal Little League All-Stars tournaments, not only in the 12-and-under division, but in the 14-and-under division as well. Only two District 52 teams advanced to Nor Cal tourneys, with Pacifica 14U being the other. That Pacifica team was managed by Neils Petersen, former Terra Nova teammates of Jason Gordon.