Bobby Brooks Winkles, 90, passed away on April 17, 2020. Winkles graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1952 with a degree in philosophy. The White Sox signed him in 1951 while he was still a student and thought enough of his potential to give him a $10,000 bonus. They sent him to their Colorado Springs affiliate in the Class A Western League. Winkles missed the entire 1953 season, spending the year in the US Army infantry. He played in the White Sox's farm system from 1951-58.

In 1958, Winkles received a telephone call from then-Arizona State athletic director Clyde Smith who offered him the position to become ASU's head baseball coach at just 28 years old. He was tasked with constructing Arizona State's first baseball field for a program that was at risk of being cut by school administrators just two years prior. The field was completed just a week before ASU's first varsity baseball season in 1959, where the Sun Devils posted a respectable 27-18 season.

The Sun Devils won national titles in 1965, 1967 and 1969. Winkles went 524-173 in 13 years in Tempe. He was a three-time NCAA Coach of the Year. He was a charter member of the College Baseball Hall of Fame and coached such stars as Reggie Jackson, Rick Monday, Sal Bando, Larry Gura and Gary Gentry. ASU retired his No. 1 jersey in 1972 and the field at Packard Stadium was dedicated in his honor in 2001.

Winkles became one of the first college coaches to transition to MLB. After leaving ASU, he managed four years in Major League Baseball with the California Angels and the Oakland Athletics, also spending several campaigns in assorted coaching roles with the Giants, White Sox and Expos. He was also a broadcaster with the Expos.

Winkles was an Honorary member of ASURA. An ASURA Video History Interview with Winkles was conducted in 2006. 

Plans for memorial services are pending.

(Sources: ASU Foundation, ASU Now)