The 1995 championship team came to the Sadowski house and hugged each other. For most, it had been 30 years since they last saw each other. Over steak tips, corn on the cob, roasted vegetables and a Caesar salad, they reconnected and relived that season.

Rich Sadowski, the general manager of the Kettleers at the time, hosted the event in his backyard. There was a large white tent set up with white folding chairs, tables covered in white tablecloth, and refreshments to set the scene for some fun stories and conversations.

“It’s amazing how you can pick up from 30 years ago. It’s been great,” outfielder Ronnie Barassi said.

Other members of the team echoed Barassi, saying it was like they never left. Pitcher Kevin Sheredy said it was like no time passed even though three decades had gone by.

The Sadowskis offered up their house after head coach Mike Coutts asked about a place for the players to have casual conversations and reminisce about the season. Coutts started planning the reunion five years ago, with the original plan to have it at the 25th anniversary of the season. However, COVID-19 got in the way.

“Obviously the COVID thing happened and then they were bugging me again, ‘Coach we need to do the 25th anniversary again,’” Coutts said.

Coutts contacted the Kettleers again about doing something for the 30th anniversary and they agreed. Many of the players traveled from far away to come to the reunion, from Florida to California, but they all said that the trip was worth it.

“We had such great chemistry with this team and the camaraderie was second to none,” first baseman Glen Davis said. “It’s still the same. We knew it would be and that's why we came back.”

“I came back to enjoy something that we all shared together at a special time,” third baseman Brian Bernard said. “Thirty years later in life, you look back and appreciate the little things that you don’t see as time goes by. Just to see how it all changed us and to see how everybody’s life has changed. Just enjoy something that we each cherish individually, but as a team as well.”

“Coming back for me was a no-brainer,” pitcher Ryan Lynch said. “This was a really special time in my life. The fact that we could bring our families back to enjoy this with us is really special.”

Some of the players still kept in touch after the '95 season, but most did not due to the limited technology.

“It was such a fun summer,” pitcher Aaron Porter said. “I don’t keep in touch so it's an opportunity to reach out with people that I had a good time with that I really haven’t seen in almost 30 years. For me, it’s kind of exciting.”

“It’s been amazing,” outfielder and catcher Josh Paul said. “Most of the guys I haven’t talked to in that whole time, and it's been pretty awesome to reconnect with them.”

Conversations ranged from reliving memories from the 1995 season, the differences between the Kettleers then and now (no trainer, fewer interns, less player turnover, smaller rosters) and how the game of baseball has evolved at the collegiate level. The Sadowskis also had plenty of memorabilia on display, including the 1995 yearbook, pictures and signed baseballs. The pictures and memorabilia brought back memories for the players.

“A lot of these memories two to three months ago I wouldn’t be able to think of,” Porter said. “But seeing these guys, their faces, and as stories get told, I was there and I remember that. That part’s awesome.”

Coutts also enjoyed being with his old team, saying that many people would dream of having the opportunity they had that summer.

“You know, you play a lot of different seasons, and to come together and get along as well as they got along, play hard for each other, be unselfish, and everything was really what it was all about,” Coutts said. “Then you come back here and hear all the stories from that summer, you realize why they were able to win.”

Even though 30 years have passed, the excitement and relationships were on full display, showing that a close-knit baseball team can create friendships that last a lifetime.