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University of New Mexico baseball coach Ray Birmingham will retire at the end of the season. On Monday afternoon, UNM and the baseball team held a press conference to make the announcement at home plate on the Santa Ana Star Center field. (Roberto E. Rosales/Journal)
Ray Birmingham started his slow ride into the New Mexico sunset Monday in uncharacteristic fashion.
He choked up.
Moments into his prepared comments during a media conference at Santa Ana Star Field, the University of New Mexico’s veteran baseball coach paused and stepped away from the microphone. Birmingham, who on Sunday announced his intention to retire at season’s end, had to battle his emotions throughout the public ceremony.