Second Annual Floyd Temple Alumni Game Slated for Saturday

LAWRENCE, Kan. –Named after the program’s winningest coach, the Kansas baseball team announces the second annual Floyd Temple Alumni Game to be held Saturday, Oct. 5, at Hoglund Ballpark. First pitch is set for 4 p.m.

In addition to honoring Temple, head coach Ritch Price and the Jayhawks have invited back former Major Leaguers Chuck Dobson and Steve Renko to captain the alumni squad.

“It is always exciting when the alumni return to campus,” Price said. “The players and coaches are excited to see everyone back; and to have two former Major League pitchers captaining the alumni team is a fitting tribute to honor Floyd Temple.”

Temple, who passed away last year, held the reins of the program for 28 seasons from 1954-81. He amassed 438 victories during his tenure as head coach, combining for a .524 winning percentage. Temple coached four All-Americans and seven future Major League players at KU, including 1959 American League Rookie of the Year and three-time MLB All-Star Bob Allison. His iconic No. 13 was retired in 1982 and remains the only jersey number displayed on the outfield wall at Hoglund Ballpark.

Dobson lettered at KU in 1964 and played nine seasons in the majors with the then, Kansas City and Oakland Athletics, and the California Angels. The right-handed hurler attained an overall record 74-69 and struck out 758 batters en route to a 3.78 ERA. His best season came in 1970 when he made a league-leading 40 starts, throwing a league-high five shutouts. He made five starts and threw 30 innings for the world champion Athletics in 1974.

Renko, a native of Kansas City, Kan., earned two letters at Kansas from 1964-65, before he was drafted in the 24th round of the amateur draft by the New York Mets. During his 15-year career, Renko made stops in Montreal (1969-76), Chicago (1976-77), Oakland (1978), Boston (1979-80), California (1981-82) and finished with the Kansas City Royals in 1983. Renko finished 57 of the 365 games he started for nine shutouts, while striking out 1,455 batters for an ERA of 3.99.

Following the KU football game against Texas Tech, baseball alumni are invited to take batting practice at 3:30 p.m., prior to the 4 p.m. start time. A reception will also be held in the Trombold Lounge of the McCarthy Family Clubhouse from 3:30-5:30 p.m. After the abbreviated game against the alumni, the current Jayhawks will have their annual Crimson and Blue scrimmage at approximately 4:45 p.m.
 
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