(Phoenix, AZ) The Greatest Tradition in College Baseball will recognize the architect of its decades-long success with the unveiling and dedication of a statue in honor of the late Bobby Winkles, which will be unveiled on Friday, April 12, ahead of the team’s opener against Utah.
Enshrinement with a statue at ASU is reserved for the few who made such a profound impact on a program or institution that they are worthy of a lifetime of remembrance. Winkles will join Sun Devil Football legends Frank Kush and Pat Tillman along with golfer Heather Farr as individuals in university athletics history to be recognized with such a prestigious honor.
“The name Bobby Winkles is synonymous with Sun Devil Baseball. This program’s success would not be what it is were it not for his vision, tireless work ethic, and incredible contributions to ASU,” said head coach Willie Bloomquist. “Coach Winkles set a standard that we work hard to uphold each and every day. I am thrilled to see such a deserving Sun Devil be honored with a statue at our ballpark so that we may continue celebrating his legacy for generations to come.”
The statue was funded entirely by letterwinners of Sun Devil Baseball. It was crafted by ASU alumnus and local artist and educator Jeff Carol Davenport, who also brought to life the visions of the statues for Tillman and the Pitchfork located in Mountain America Stadium. The statue was cast in bronze and weighs about 250 pounds. It was created using the age-old process called “Lost Wax Casting.” The wax is used to create a rubber mold before a final process of sandblasting and heating the bronze before the patina application gives the sculpture its rich, beautiful color and depth.
The statue will be unveiled on the third base concourse just under an hour before first pitch against Utah on Friday. Sun Devil Baseball will also recognize the 60th anniversary of the 1964 team, the first in program history to make it to the College World Series on the field before the game. Additionally, the first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a Coach Winkles Bobblehead, courtesy of Mountain America Credit Union. Tickets are still available at sundeviltickets.com.
“Bobby Winkles was a leader, educator, coach, and innovator during a very formative period for ASU, ” said Dr. James Rund, interim vice president for university athletics and senior vice president for Education Outreach and Student Services. “Coach understood long before many that sport is a tool for university advancement. His contributions to ASU through his many outcomes leading Sun Devil Baseball are very present today, and we are proud to recognize him as such. ASU is also very thankful to over 70 Letterwinners and devoted players of Coach Winkles who contributed to this project.”
The first varsity head coach in Sun Devil Baseball’s storied history, Winkles led the program from 1959-1971. During his tenure, the Sun Devils posted an overall record of 524-173 (.752) and won three College World Series.
Winkles laid the groundwork for ASU’s historic baseball program, taking it from scratch and building it into one of the premier powerhouses in all of college baseball. Only six years into the program’s history, Winkles led his 1964 Sun Devil squad into Omaha and placed fifth. A year later, the Sun Devils reached the pinnacle of college baseball, finishing with a 41-11 record and the school’s first National Championship.
Winkles led ASU back to the College World Series and again reigned as NCAA Champions in 1967 and 1969. Winkles was named the 1965 and 1969 NCAA Coach of the Year and The Sporting News Coach of the Year in 1965, 1967, and 1969.
He mentored 16 first-team All-Americans, 20 ASU Hall of Famers, and 39 All-WAC honorees. He also coached 45 Major League Baseball draft picks, including 12 first-round selections and 21 players who made it to the Major Leagues. He recruited and coached top talents such as Rick Monday, Sal Bando, Sterling Slaughter, Reggie Jackson, Larry Gura, and Gary Gentry during his coaching career.
A charter member of the College Baseball Hall of Fame, he was inducted into the ASU Hall of Fame in 1982 and the ABCA Hall of Fame in 1997. His No. 1 was retired by ASU on February 25, 1972 and the field at Packard Stadium was dedicated in his honor in 2001.
This Saturday evening, Winkles will posthumously join former ASU Women’s Basketball Coach Charli Turner Thorne as members of the 2023 Arizona Sports Hall of Fame Induction Class, which will be recognized at an event hosted by the Arizona Sports & Entertainment Commission at the Scottsdale Plaza and Resort. Event information is available at azsportsent.com.
Press Release courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics – Jeremy Hawkes
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