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John Anderson, Gophers' Winningest Baseball Coach, Dies at 71

University leaders and former players paid tribute to his five-decade role in building sustained Big Ten success

Overview

  • John Anderson died Sunday after suffering a cardiac arrest at his Wayzata home and spending several days in the hospital, his family said.
  • His family arranged for his body to be returned to the University of Minnesota and donated his organs through the university.
  • Anderson spent 49 years with Minnesota baseball, including 43 as head coach, finishing with a 1,390-1,021-3 record that ranks him as the Big Ten's winningest coach and 20th all-time in Division I wins.
  • University president Dr. Rebecca Cunningham, athletic director Mark Coyle and current coach Ty McDevitt released statements praising his mentorship and long influence on players' lives.
  • His No. 14 was retired in 2024, he was announced as the 2027 ABCA Lefty Gomez Award recipient, and funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.