Bob Garretson headed the highly successful Yakima Beetles American Legion program for 14 years before taking over as head coach at Yakima Valley Community College from longtime coach Bill Faller prior to the 1988 season.

During his tenure as Beetles coach, Garretson compiled an 850-264 record, winning the American Legion World Series in 1975, his first year as coach, and again in 1979. He also led his teams to World Series appearances in 1976 and 1988, his final year as coach, when the team finished third in the nation.

Prior to assuming the head-coaching position at YVCC, Garretson was an assistant under Faller for five years. Enterting his 15th season as YVCC head coach, Garretson has a 330-243 record and has taken his teams to the NWAACC championship tournament six times.

A catcher and outfielder, Garretson played for Faller at YVCC in 1962 and 1963 and for longtime Washington State University coach Bobo Brayton in 1964. He held the Pac-10 league record for highest batting average until current Seattle Mariners infielder John Olerud set the new standard in 1988. After one year at WSU, Garretson signed a professional contract with the Cincinnati Reds organization, playing for the Class A (long season) Cedar Rapids, Iowa, club. The next year, Garretson went on to spring training with the Class AAA San Diego club. He was signed to a contract with Class AA Macon, Ga., before he left professional baseball.

After his professional playing career, Garretson coached at the semi-pro level for three years (1967-69) before assisting his father, Bob Garretson Sr., with the coaching duties of the Yakima Legion program for five years prior to taking over the head-coaching spot in 1975.

Garretson and his wife of 36 years, Pat, have two grown sons, Jeff and Mike.