By Virginia Hogge, News Editor, and Ryver Marbach, Sports Editor
On May 28, former El Camino students proposed their bid for a rumored Major League Baseball expansion team to be awarded to the city of Sacramento at a press conference next to the site of where the proposed team’s new stadium would be built.
The proposition is backed by The Sacramento Pitch, an organization aiming to bring the MLB to Sacramento. The city has been hosting the Athletics of the MLB at Sutter Health Park since 2025 after their departure from Oakland, and will continue to have the Athletics through 2027, when they are set to move to Las Vegas for the 2028 season.
This addition to Sacramento, among other MLB expansion rumors, has been the catalyst for the city’s push for the team. Though no expansion plans have been formally announced by the league yet, the MLB community is speculating a two-team expansion soon. Cities like Nashville, Salt Lake City, and Portland have also proposed bids for a team so far.
Among The Sacramento Pitch’s committee were two EC alumni: Mayor of Sacramento Kevin McCarty, and former MLB player Derrek Lee.
Lee attended EC and graduated with the class of 1993. At EC, Lee played for the varsity baseball team starting at 13 years old and continued through his senior year. He played for six MLB teams in his professional career and is still involved in the baseball community around Sacramento. Lee gave advice for current students at EC about their athletic careers.
“I know it’s easy to get caught up in it or take it seriously, but really enjoy the time and make those relationships. Those are the memories you’ll have for the rest of your life,” explained Lee. In high school, Lee had a state-record batting average of .533 his senior year. Lee talked about his memories in high school playing for the baseball team.
“You know, my four years at El Camino are some of the best times I have playing baseball,” stated Lee
McCarty attended EC for 3 years, but did not graduate with his class. Later, adult school gave McCarty a second chance, where he was able to receive his high school diploma. From then on he attended California State University, Long Beach, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in political science, and Sacramento State, where he got his master’s degree in public policy and administration.
Despite his struggles in high school, McCarty has worked hard to get where he is today and has proven to be successful. McCarty spoke about what advice he would give to struggling students at EC today.
“Just focus on opportunities, whether it’s school, or jobs, or internships. It’s important; I never thought it would take me to where I am now,” McCarty said.
