College World Series Notebook: Reunion of '69 Sun Devils title team special for Winkles

By: JournalNow Staff | THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: June 15, 2009

■ Bobby Winkles' return to the College World Series was special on two levels. He got to watch Arizona State, a team he coached to three titles, and he was part of the 40th reunion of the 1969 championship team.

"It was nice that these guys thought about including the coach when they came back," Winkles said before yesterday's pregame ceremony honoring the 1969 Sun Devils.

Joining Winkles for the weekend reunion were assistant coach Jack Smitheran, left fielder John Dolinsek, first baseman Jeff Osborn, right fielder Ralph Dickenson, shortstop Roger Detter, pitchers Ken Hansen and Joe Miller, third baseman Terry Brenner and infielders Gene Kobar and Tom Welton.

Winkles, 79, coached the Sun Devils from 1959 through 1971 and stayed in contact with many of his players after leaving for a major-league managerial career.

Winkles said that Dolinsek provided his greatest CWS memory. Dolinsek, the 1969 Most Outstanding Player, didn't start the Omaha opener against Texas. Dolinsek said he was benched for disciplinary reasons.

"Coach had his way of doing things, and I didn't always agree and follow rules like I was supposed to," Dolinsek said. "I got benched in the regionals the last game and I didn't start against Texas. So I pinch-hit in the seventh inning. Coming from pinch-hitting, not starting the first game, to winning the MVP award was really a memorable experience for me."

■ Right-fielder Garrett Gore of North Carolina will leave Omaha having at least tied the record for most games played in the CWS.

Gore, a senior from Wilmington, N.C., appeared in his 19th yesterday. The Tar Heels would have to win on Tuesday for Gore to play in a record 21 games.

Daryl Arenstein of Southern California set the record from 1970 through 1973.

■ If history is an indicator, the teams that played yesterday -- the second day of the CWS -- have the better chance of becoming the national champion. The last time that the eventual champion played on opening day came in 1999, when Miami (Fla.) went all the way.