By David Fleet
Editor
At some point over the past 26 baseball seasons whether Martians and Blackhawks coach Ron Wagner has been in the dugout.
However the 2017 season will be the last for the veteran coach.
Wagner will retire to the Traverse City area after the Goodrich Martians complete this season.
“I love the game,” said Wagner, 63. “It was very good here at Goodrich they treated me right. The assistant varsity coach position is ok by me, no school functions to attend, just working with the players.”
Wagner also served 18 years at the helm of the Brandon Varsity Baseball team, where he compiled a record of 284 wins and 245 losses. In June 2010, after nearly two decades as Brandon Varsity Baseball head coach, Wagner’s contract was not renewed by the district. No specific reason was provided by Brandon school officials. During his years at Brandon, Wagner compiled two district championships, 10 district finals, two regional finals, three league championships, and many invitational championships. In addition, the Blackhawks were ranked as one of the top 10 teams in the state a total of ten times. In 2004, the Blackhawks were recognized in High School Sports magazine as one of Michigan’s top teams.
In 2010 Wagner stepped in as assistant varsity coach at Goodrich High School.

“He has been a true blessing for Goodrich Baseball,” said Martian Head Coach Bob Foreback who has led the team to a 602-243-3 record in 23 seasons. “He has been a great addition to our school for the past eight seasons and brought a wealth of knowledge to our players. I am very sad to see him go and it will be a huge loss for our program, but we are happy he gets to retire and live the good life up north.”
Wagner helped lead the Martians to district titles in 2010 2011, 2012 and 2017.
“If we can’t do our best with these kids—I don’t want to do it,” said Wagner. “I want them to be the very best they can be—on the field and off. I’m from the old school. I want perfection or as close as possible. Kids are kids, they are no different than 26 years ago. They all are excellent, whether Blackhawks or Martians.”
The parents have changed, he added.
“Baseball parents travel and it’s very costly to do so,” he said. “The parents want equal playing time for their kid and we’ll give any kid a chance to be a starter. We give them an opportunity to and it’s up to them to take advantage of it. It’s tough when you’re sometimes the 16th player on the team of nine. Playing time is often minimal.”
A 1971 Brandon High School graduate, Wagner accumulated 11 varsity letters from baseball, basketball and football. His career also included part of league high school basketball championships in 1970 and 1971. While several colleges were interested in Wagner’s athletic abilities, he chose to work in construction in his father’s business. Wagner stayed in the area and was employed at General Motors Truck and Coach Plant until his retirement in 2003.