Legendary college baseball coach Mike Gillespie, who helped dozens reach MLB, dies at age 80
Legendary college baseball coach Mike Gillespie died Wednesday, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reported. He was 80.
Gillespie most recently served as the head coach at UC Irvine, leading the Anteaters to their second College World Series appearance in 2014 and a 393–249 overall record over 11 seasons. He retired after the 2018 season.
He’s best known for his 20-year stint at USC, where he led the Trojans to a 763–471–2 mark and a College World Series Championship in 1998. As a player, Gillespie helped USC win the 1961 College World Series.
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Gillespie resigned as USC coach following the 2006 season and was directly succeeded by former MLB catcher Chad Kreuter, who is also married to Gillespie's daughter Kelly. Kreuter coached the team until 2010.
In addition to the on field success, Gillespie helped produce 30 major leaguers and even more importantly impacted the lives of countless individuals in and around the program.
Our deepest condolences go out to the Gillespie family at this time. He will be missed ✌️#FightOn pic.twitter.com/nzca5nJkxW— USC Baseball (@USC_Baseball) July 29, 2020
MLB influence
Along the way, Gillespie’s programs produced dozens of major league players.
At one point during the 2005 season, 13 players coached by Gillespie at USC were on major league rosters. Six of them — Mark Prior, Barry Zito, Aaron Boone, Bret Boone, Geoff Jenkins and Morgan Ensberg — were All-Stars during their careers.
Of course, Aaron Boone now serves as manager of the New York Yankees.
Some of Gilliespie’s former players, colleagues and writers who covered his career were quick to honor the beloved skipper.
Mourning the loss of one of the greatest coaches I have had the pleasure of playing and coaching against. RIP Coach Mike Gillespie. #RIP19 #USC #UCI
— Steve Rodriguez (@BaylorCoachRod) July 29, 2020
Awful news. Loved Skip. One of the best baseball minds ever. https://t.co/2tDNPdzh30
— Trent Rush (@TrentRushSports) July 29, 2020
Heart-breaking news. Mike Gillespie was a larger than life figure in the California baseball world, and in college baseball in general. A mad scientist, a master motivator, one of the most creative and intelligent baseball men I've ever known. And just such a wonderful man. https://t.co/eXSw248hC8
— Aaron Fitt (@aaronfitt) July 29, 2020
Gillespie’s 1,156 wins as a NCAA Division I coach ranks 49th all-time. Previous to his USC run, Gillespie won 418 games at College of the Canyons.
In 2010, Gillespie was inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
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