Former ASU baseball manager — the program's first at the varsity level — Bobby Winkles passed away on Friday at the age of 90. Winkles was surrounded by family and friends, Sun Devil baseball announced Friday via Twitter.
After a seven-season career in the minor leagues, Winkles assumed the helm at ASU at the age of 28 and was an instrumental part of turning the Sun Devil baseball program into a national powerhouse.
"We lost a giant in the ranks of baseball and in life with the passing of Coach Bobby Winkles," current Sun Devil head coach Tracy Smith said via Twitter. "One of the kindest human beings I have ever met."
During his 13-year tenure with the program, Winkles produced a 524-173 record, 16 All-American selections, 45 MLB draft picks (21 of which made it to the majors), three NCAA Coach of the Year nominations and three National Championship titles.
"Coach Winkles was a tremendous man who put ASU Baseball on the map and transformed it into the pinnacle program of college baseball," former ASU outfielder Cory Hahn said via Twitter. "He exemplified how special it is to wear the Maroon & Gold. His legend will live forever. RIP."
Following his time in the Sun Devils' dugout, Winkles spent four seasons in the MLB, managing for the California Angels (now the Los Angeles Angels) and Oakland Athletics, as well as coaching for the San Francisco Giants, Chicago White Sox and Montreal Expos.
Winkles was inducted to the ASU Hall of Fame in 1982.
Reach the reporter at aklatsky@asu.edu and follow @averyklatsky on Twitter.
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