Robin Blalock was known as Sam Blalock’s daughter when she played basketball at Rancho Bernardo High. Now Sam, San Diego’s all-time winningest high school baseball coach, finds himself referred to as Robin Blalock’s father.

American high school sports traditionally have been about fathers and sons. Sam, Rancho Bernardo’s baseball coach, and Robin, Mt. Carmel’s girls’ basketball coach, are an example of Title IX’s new generation of athletes. Daughters now follow fathers into coaching.

On Friday, Robin’s Sundevils won their second straight CIF San Diego Section Division II and the fourth overall of her coaching career. The Sundevils (23-7) open the Southern California Regional in Division II at home at 7 p.m. Tuesday against Norco (27-3) of the Southern Section.

Among Sam’s many prominent former players are Oakland A’s general manager Billy Beane, Padres pitching coach Darren Balsley, Texas Rangers All-Star third baseman Hank Blalock (his nephew) and John Drennen, a 2005 first-round draft pick by the Cleveland Indians.

But this is what he says about being referred to as Robin Blalock’s father:

“That’s fine. That’s great. She has really made a name for herself.”

TOM SHANAHAN

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