Michael Esquibel

Michael Alfredo Esquibel

May 9, 1968- July 22, 2021

Thursday afternoon, baseball star Michael Esquibel stepped up to the plate one final time before retiring. The call was made to swing for the fences and Mike did just that. He battled through 9 long innings and when it was time, hit a dinger to go on home. On July 22, 2021, at the age of 53, our beloved son, brother, uncle, stepfather, coach and mentor passed away in the comfort of his home with his first true love, his mother, by his side.  Mike will lovingly be remembered by his family, friends, teammates, and protégés for his constant generous gestures, love of the game of baseball, and unique artistic ways.  He is preceded in death by his grandparents; Alfredo and Rebecca Esquibel, Guillermo Medrano and Pastora Barreto, father Pop David Esquibel and sister-in-law Cara Esquibel.  Mike is survived by his mother Nancy Quintana, stepfather Chris Quintana, stepmother Sandra Portz; siblings; David Esquibel, Albert Esquibel, Christy Quintana, Anjelica Quintana, and stepbrother Zachery Reed Kerschberg, stepdaughter Alexa Chavez, godson Mikey Padilla, nieces and nephews; Lucia and Joaquin Esquibel, Diego and Anna Perea, Christopher Quintana Turgeon, Jeronimo Martinez, Eduardo and Alejandra Ortega, Isabella Quintana, Robert, Chance, Macy and Kennedy Lowary.

Michael was a man of God and chose to live life by faith each day. Let the river run was his motto. He believed every individual had three vocations in their lifetime. When asked what his three were he would state he had only discovered two. One was baseball and the other was art. Although he himself never found his third calling many who knew him would say he had an knack for teaching.

Michael was born on May 9, 1968, in Costa Rica to parents David Esquibel and Nancy Quintana. In 1969, at the age of one, his family relocated to Santa Fe, New Mexico. Mike would eventually grow to be an inspirational figure of the community through his athletics. He attended St. Michael's High School where he was a multi-sport athlete who shined as the football quarterback and baseball team’s catcher.  After graduating from St. Michael’s in 1987, Michael received a scholarship to play baseball at St. Mary’s of the Plains in Dodge City Kansas.  After a short time there, he chose to walk on to the baseball team at Oklahoma State University.  From 1988-1991, he earned a spot on the OSU Cowboys baseball team and also earned his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science. Not only did he greatly develop his baseball skills, but he also deepened his love for the game.  Michael wanted others to enjoy playing the game as much as he did and that is why he returned to NM and took his talents back to St. Mikes as the Head Baseball Coach. Mike transformed the program instantly winning three back-to-back District Championships. In his second year of coaching the Horseman, he was selected the New Mexican’s coach of the year for the teams perfect 23-0 regular season record.  Mike knew how to get teams ready and made playing exciting. He wanted players to work hard just as any coach does but the difference about Mike was that he worked out with his players. Mike always said athletes don’t want to be told what to do; they want to be shown.

From his local successes, Michael was offered a job to coach in Paderborn, Germany. He accepted the challenge, learned how to speak German, and became a two-time National Champion player and coach. After his time in Germany, Mike returned to New Mexico. He became the Assistant Baseball Coach at New Mexico Highlands University. He continued his coaching career as the Head Baseball Coach at Capital High school and concluded his coaching career as the Assistant Baseball Coach at Dodge City Community College. 

In his spare time Michael was a professional artist. He was a man of many colors whose imagination had no limits. He had the ability to see the beauty in things most people wouldn’t. His talents could turn a tumble weed into a work of art.  Mike’s art showed a realm of emotions, and his pieces are an example of who he was, what he loved and how he was feeling on any given day. He was a talented pastel artist who eventually shifted his career to work as a second-grade teacher and was focused on getting his teaching license to be an elementary school Art Teacher.   

Coach Esqui will be greatly missed along with his infectious smile, wild personality, giving spirit and need to always put others first. 

Pallbearers: Marco Gonzales, Rick Jaramillo, James Rivera, Chris Geissinger, Cecil Chavez, Warren Fulgenzi, Mikey Padilla, David Pacheco, Juan Aragon, Joe Gutierrez, and Jerry Baca.

Honorary Pallbearers: Eddie Padilla, Gene Sargent, Carl Padilla, Brent Schutz, and Tommy Sanchez. 

A rosary will be recited on Tuesday, August 10, 2021, at 9:30am followed by Mass of the Christian burial at 10:00am at Historic San Isidro Church in Santa Fe, New Mexico.