By Coyt Stajcar 

For the first time ever, Montana has a Gatorade Player of the Year to recognize for baseball.  If you guys know me, then you should know that this is going to be a weird article to write. But it is one that I will not be able contain my joy writing. So…sorry in advance if the bias is unbearable.

When I was first called “Cayde’s brother”, I was kind of upset. My name is way cooler, I am better looking, and I am much smarter. After several years of being known as “Cayde’s brother”, I can honestly say that there are very few titles that I claim prouder. Cayde has always been special. No matter how badly I beat him in any and every competition we had growing up, he never quit. He always came back with a better plan and a better attitude. I would like to take credit for being the main reason why he is the way he is. That is, of course, due to all the beatings I handed down to him as his older brother.

In a much realer sense, Cayde is the way he is because of our parents, family, friends, and the community we were raised in. Cayde would not be where he is now if it were not for all the support from everyone around him. Family is a big part of his life, and he could not have asked for a better one. Thank you to the amazing people of Butte, America.

Not only is he recognized for his athleticism, but he is also recognized for his presence in the community.  He lends a hand wherever and whenever he is called upon. That is something that was taught to him at a young age. Cayde’s favorite lesson that he has learned was not taught on a baseball diamond, it was rather in his own home. “It costs nothing to be kind.” This is the phrase he lives by and values most in his everyday life.

He isn’t a slouch in the classroom either. Cayde holds a 3.71 GPA. I had a 4.0 in my sophomore year, but we all can’t be the Golden Child. Cayde will start his junior year next Fall.

Head Coach of the Butte High Bulldogs and Butte Miners, Jim LeProwse, had this to say about Stajcar:

“I think he is the best player in the state of Montana. He’s a stud. He is as good as any kid out there. I can’t even imagine where he will be 2 years from now. He has a really good shot to be a 3-time winner. More AA schools are coming in next year, but I think he is as good as anyone out there. The kid can just play. The better pitching he faces, the better he hits. I’m excited to see what he’ll be able to do. He deserves it because he works hard at it.”

LeProwse has been coaching Cayde since 2022, the year the Miners brought home a state and regional title. When asked about Cayde’s initial reaction to the news, he had to say, “Well it was 7 AM, and I was still laying in bed. My dad came walking into my room, and he showed me the phone. I didn’t really know what to say at first.”

The notifications did not stop there though. More and more people heard about it throughout the day, and the texts and posts came flooding in. “As the day went on, I got a lot of congratulations texts. It was really special to hear from the community and everyone who supported me. There are a lot of people who care about me and want to see me succeed. It’s just really special. It drives me more to compete and get to the next level.”

We could not be prouder of Cayde, even if he is the second-bestathlete in the family (Lyriq is the best). No matter how hard I try, I cannot knock how awesome an accomplishment this is. Congratulations Cayde on winning the 2023-2024 Gatorade Montana Baseball Player of the Year!