ABCA Hall of Fame

A founding member of the ABCA, John Kobs was awarded the ABCA/Wilson Lefty Gomez Award for his contributions to the game globally in 1965.

In 39 seasons as Michigan State's head coach (1925-1963), John Kobs compiled a 576-377-16 record. He had only four losing seasons, and his 1954 team won the Big Ten Conference championship and finished third in the College World Series.

Kobs served for many years as the secretary of the NCAA baseball rules committee. He was a member and secretary of the United States Olympic Baseball Committee and coached two United States baseball teams in the Pan American Games. 

After his final season as Michigan State's baseball coach, Kobs was honored by the National Rockne Club as the Collegiate Baseball Coach of the Year in March, 1964.

Kobs, who served as ABCA President in 1954, was inducted into the ABCA Hall of Fame in 1966.

Kobs is a member of the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame, Michigan State University Hall of Fame and Helms Foundation Hall of Fame. In 1969, Michigan State named its baseball field in his honor.

Named after the great Lefty Gomez, this annual award is presented to an individual who has distinguished himself among his peers and has contributed significantly to the game of baseball locally, nationally and internationally. The Lefty Gomez Award is sponsored by Wilson Sporting Goods.