TAMPA, Fla. -  It happens every time these guys get together.

The stories start flowing.

Barry Cort, King High Class of 1974, has some really good ones to tell. When you’ve pitched in the big leagues, there are some glory days to relive.

“To see all my friends that I haven’t seen in 40 years,” Cort said. “Some of them I haven’t seen in 40 years. And to me, that was pretty much the highlight of the day.”

The day belonged to Cort. And he held court. Current King High baseball coach Jim Macaluso gathered the alumni to honor their former pitcher. It was time to retire his jersey number and place it on the wall of honor in the outfield.

“I know I did a little bit back then,” Cort said. “I’m really, really appreciative about it.”

Cort made it out of Tampa Bay and all the way to the majors with the Milwaukee Brewers. The fourth-round pick made his first start in 1977. But never forgot where he came from.

Former Jefferson head coach Pop Cuesta was on hand to celebrate Cort’s moment. As someone who has seen his fair share of talent, Cuesta said Cort could bring it.

“He was very, very, very tough to beat. Very tough.,” Cuesta said. “As a matter of fact, I told him he made me the happiest man in the word when he graduated.”

Cort wasn’t sure he’d done enough to have his jersey number retired. Others disagreed.

“I coached many years and there’s only a handful, and I mean one hand, that sort of hit the level that he hit,” former King coach Billy Howell said. “You don’t go to the pros unless you are the elite.”

“Stepping on here today that brought back a lot of memories,” Cort said. “A lot of people always thought No. 13 was superstitious. I always loved it. So, it’s a great honor. A great honor.”