By Ryan Quigley
Illinois Scouting Director

Illinois coaching legend Gordie Gillespie passed away Saturday, February 28^th at the age of 88. Gillespie amassed 2,402 victories in four sports, and at the time of his retirement in 2011 he was college baseball’s all-time winningest coach with 1,893 victories, since surpassed by Texas’ Augie Garrido.

You can Google his name to read more about the accomplishments, the career, the state titles in high school football, and the four national championships in college baseball. The University of St. Francis also provided a great history on Coach Gillespie’s career on their website, which you can read about HERE.

Over the next several weeks everyday we will run a series of tributes, quotes, and anecdotes written by former players, coaches, and opponents associated with the legendary collegiate coach. I wrote my short tribute to Coach Gillespie, which you can read HERE. E-mail Prep Baseball Report at [email protected] to share your “Letters for Gordie”.

Zach Morris - Former Ripon College Baseball Player ('02)

I first met Gordie as a high school senior. I was visiting Ripon College  in 1998 and we were attending the college's scholarship luncheon for prospective students. At the time I was weighing my decision on where to go to college and I knew nothing of Gordie's accolades or accomplishments. Our conversation that day gave me just a hint of the impact Coach Gillespie would have in my life. With only a few words he conferred to me a sense of value and self-esteem. I've always advocated making big decisions from the heart and I left that scholarship luncheon with a heartfelt sense that Ripon College was the place for me. Principally colored by my interaction with Gordie, I felt certain I could accomplish things at Ripon that I might not elsewhere.

This was my first taste of "the Gordie magic" as others have described it. That "magic" was the foremost of Gordie's coaching talents in my opinion; the ability to help young adults believe in themselves. On the field this translated to confidence and performance. There were many ingredients to the success of Coach's teams. The work ethic, skills, hustle, preparation for every situation. I always felt that on his team we played the game as it was meant to be played. Coach's references to Cool Papa Bell, Warren Spahn, Ted Williams and other legends of the game only cemented the notion that we had inherited the joy and the task of playing the game right. Yet it took a suspension of disbelief, an embrace of self-confidence, to see this as a possibility - that we could play the game as Gordie envisioned.

I vividly recall one at-bat late in my college career against our conference rivals, Lawrence University. Tied in the late innings I came to the plate with runners in scoring position. A lefty pitcher was brought in and Gordie called me to the dugout. Still carrying the self-doubts that would haunt the slumps of my athletic career, I briefly wondered if Coach would pinch hit with a right-handed batter. Gordie's insight was clear and absolute. "You'll do it" he said plainly from his chair. A sincere statement that bordered on a command and without a hint of question or superficial affirmation. It was a jolt to my state of mind. Coach was right. We won the game. More importantly for me, I came to recognize the front lines of competition that were so often played out in my own mind.

In my journey through college the impact of "the Gordie magic" was pervasive. After a few years with Coach I found myself believing more and more in my own abilities both on and off the field. Self doubts faded as I found my ability to perform in the moment. Whether it was medical school admission tests and interviews or the Rhodes Scholarship competition, the four years I spent with Gordie left me with a sense of inner strength and confidence that forever changed my life. Coach's impact on this world is immeasurable but awe inspiring and what an example for us all to pursue - bringing out the best in others.

Mike Pellegrini - Former Providence Catholic Women's Basketball Coach, St. Francis Student

While interviewing Gordie for my St. Francis theory of coaching class I asked him what his views were on the importance of winning.  He gave me a quote that I lived by all the years I coached.  

 "Winning isn't everything but making the effort to win is".

Jack Naal - Joliet Catholic Baseball Player (Class of 2017)

If you play baseball in Joliet, Gordie Gillespie has positively influenced your life.  For me, I never personally met Coach Gillespie, but I know I play baseball under his helm.  Many of my little league coaches played a sport coached by Coach Gillespie.  My high school baseball coaches played for him.  My travel organization, the Wheatland Ducks, is headed by Coach Bill Smith, a former USF player for Gordie. Coach Smith frequently reminds us that his teaching style is that of Gordie Gillespie.  Coach Gillespie seems to be following me no matter where I play.

One thing that makes me laugh is no matter what age I am, or what team I played for, the baseball signs all seem to be very similar - and those of Coach Gordie Gillespie. Now I am being taught by Coach Smith how to look like a serious player by what I wear, how I run on the field, and how I talk to my coach. You do not have to know Coach Gillespie personally to realize he was a man of greatness, in which how you played meant more to him than if you won or loss. When you have a coach like that, you naturally want to win because you respect your coach and want to win for him.

In my own family, Coach Gillespie is a hero.  He coached and was admired by many of my uncles at Joliet Catholic. But for my mom's cousin, Tom Thayer, Coach Gillespie helped him play his best and to get to Notre Dame and then the Chicago Bears. In my family, and for most Catholic families in Joliet, that is the ultimate achievement.

I would say to Coach Gordie's family to be proud of their father's legacy.  Coach may have stopped being here in the physical sense, but his influence and ideology lives on in the hundreds of coaches he has mentored.

Bill Milano - Head Varsity Baseball Coach Maine South High School

My brother Lee (Nazareth HS) and I have utilized Gordie's Books on Hitting & Defense.  For our over 50 combined years of coaching high school baseball, we still use the basis of his infield coverages to this day.  They are simple, efficient, easy to teach, and they work!

More importantly, though, as a young coach in the early 1990's.  I remember going to IHSBCA clinics and listening to wonderful people and coaches like Jack Kaiser (OPRF) and Gordie speak.  Gordie's main theme was always remember the importance of what you say to a person, student, and/or athlete in your office.  They are the most important person in your world during that time you are speaking with them.  I never forgot that message and use it on a daily basis.  One more thing, Gordie would often send me a hand-written note thanking me for mailing our yearly recruiting packet to him.  He always made time to genuinely say THANK YOU!

Steve Farley - Head Baseball Coach Butler University

Very sorry to hear of Gordie’s passing. I’ve been a college baseball coach for 30 years. Gordie Gillespie was the most positive, energized, passionate coach I’ve ever met or been around. He was an inspiring mentor to the student-athletes and coaches who played for him and worked beside him. We’ve lost an irreplaceable coaching legend.

Tim Hollibaugh - Head Baseball Coach Grinnell College

As a young coach, I saw Gordie Gillespie speak at the ABCA clinic twice. He was the man, knew the game, and was at the peak of successful coaches. I never met him until he took the head coaching position at Ripon College in our conference. At our first conference meeting together, I asked if I could come visit with him to talk baseball (I was nervous as heck for this was the Gordie Gillespie).  He of course agreed and seemed to look forward to it (I imagine he thought this young coach would never follow up). Finally, we had a chance to get together and I went up to Ripon to talk baseball with him. As we met, expecting to be bombarded with tons of baseball knowledge, he began by talking about coaching people, effort, and doing things the right way – with class. We never really talked about strategies or techniques. At the time, I left wondering what I had learned. After years of competing against him and talking to him, it sunk in that coaching is about people, relationship and helping players learn how to play the game the right way. He practiced what he preached about expecting more out of a player than they expect out of themselves. In looking back, experience is a wonderful thing in coaching and Gordie was as good as it gets in the baseball world. He was an amazing man, cared about people and was first class. He was truly a great coach but an even better man. We lost a great one and all of baseball is grieving with the loss of this coaching legend.

Brett Vraney - Assistant Football Coach Waterford Union High School (WI)

I attended Ripon College from 1997-2002 where I played basketball for Gordie’s son Bob (Gordie was an assistant for my 4 years after my redshirt freshman season). I was fortunate enough to be coached by Gordie as well as have him as my Student Teaching Advisor my senior year.  After working with him on an almost daily basis for my college career I can honestly say that there will never be another peer in the teaching world. Gordie had the unique ability to make you feel like the most important person on earth when you were in his presence. He was a top notch coach and mentor but above all, he was such a genuine person.  People like Gordie Gillespie are rare and I am more than fortunate to have had him as an influential part of my life. I am a better person today because Coach Gillespie’s influence.

 Thanks for everything Coach, we all miss you!

Tom Meyer - Former Head Baseball Coach Northern Illinois University, University of Wisconsin

In my many years of coaching baseball no team was more enjoyable to play against than a Gordie Gillespie run team. No matter the score, his teams were always tops in terms of conduct, citizenship, respect, hustle, determination, know-how and "class." Gordie was a "gentleman's gentleman" who, through his friendship, example, encouragement and enthusiasm, taught me and many, many others much about the game of baseball and the far bigger picture of life. As a clinician he was second to none, always a contagious communicator whose lessons were well-grounded, practical and applicable. My thoughts and prayers are for his family as memories are maintained and a rich legacy lives on.

Larry Villiard - Head Baseball Coach/Principal Bruce HS (WI)

First, my deepest sympathy to the Gillespie Family and friends on the death of the greatest Coach many of us will ever know.  I first went to one of Coach G's clinics as a young HS coach here in Wisconsin and was immediately impacted by this brilliant and compassionate man. I continued throughout my career to attend every clinic that Gordie spoke at in Wisconsin and I would tell every new coach I met to come and hear Gordie. 

When I moved here to Bruce from southern WI, I took our youth and Babe Ruth coaches to hear Gordie when he came to Ripon to coach with his son and held his annual clinics at Ripon College. I have used more of Gordie’s strategies, drills, and methods than from any other coach! 

I will always remember Gordie talking about Warren Spahn and is famous quote - "Sphanny could hit the back of a knats ass!"  He said Spahn had such awesome control.  I always walked away from his clinics thinking how great it would have been to be coached by this man!  Words can hardly describe his passion not only for baseball I'm sure, but for all the sports he coached and just for his athletes. I was totally humbled in 1995 when Gordie and I were both inducted into the Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. I was and never will be anywhere close to the kind of coach that Gordie was, but I cannot describe the feeling I had to be inducted along with him that year and the greatest thing about it was that I was able to go tell him that and personally thank him for how much he had influenced my coaching career over the past 15-20 years. As I enter my 37th and final year as a high school coach, I can only look back to that great mentor, Coach Gillespie and say thank you to his family for allowing him to be the coach he was and to touch so many athletes and so many coaches in such a positive manner.  We have lost the greatest, and heaven will be a better place for sure!!  God Bless the Gillespie Family.

Randy Stegall - Head Baseball Coach Embry-Riddle University (FL)

I got the pleasure of coaching against Coach Gillespie in 2006 and 2007 while at Indiana Tech.  I remember in 2007 we were playing St. Francis at St. Francis, it was a cold day in March I believe.  We had just scored three runs and had some guys still on base, Coach Gillespie calls time and slowly made his way to the mound.  Coach stayed on the mound for what seemed to be 5 minutes, but was probably more like 1 minute, and the umpire hadn’t made his way to the mound to break up the meeting yet.  My pitching coach at the time, turned to me and says aren’t you going to say something to the umpire about the long meeting, me being a second year head coach, I said, no that guy has 1,700 wins, he can take as much time as he wants, he can stay out there all day if he wants to.

Maybe not a great story, but one I vividly remember from the seven games we played against each other.  What I really remember about him is being very humble about everything.  Sad loss, my thoughts go out to the entire family and former players he coached along the way. 

Terry Sullivan - Longtime Boston Red Sox Scout

Gordie made a person feel like he or she were the only one that mattered, as though you were his best friend. For me, this was his defining quality. He valued people. He deferred to others. He was considerate and put "you" first.  Who could not learn from a person like that?

Mike Zunica - Head Baseball Coach St. Rita HS (IL), Former Opponent at St. Xavier Unviversity ('85)

I knew Gordie initially as an opponent and remembered hearing our coaches say that he would beat you with his team or beat you with yours. I had never heard that said that way, and never have again, but it was an amazing compliment. I didn't know what a legend he was back then but do now. His accomplishments are amazing but do not tell the whole story. He was a true gentleman and cared about the game and the guys who coached it. I was on the receiving end of a couple of his handwritten letters and still have them today. I believe every quality baseball coach in this area has a connection to Gordie. He is the Father of Illinois baseball when it is played the right way!

Bryant Bednarek - Head Baseball Coach Berlin High School (WI), Ripon College Baseball ('o7)

I had the pleasure of playing baseball for Gordie during his last two seasons at Ripon College in 2004-2005, and then for his son Bob for my final two years in 2006-2007. I could write a book on the things that Gordie taught me. Gordie always coached and prepared his players like they were going to be coaches and fathers and leaders, and most of them are or will be. We all have some "Gordie" in us now, and we are better because of it. Gordie's ability to motivate people goes unmatched. Take a team from any season and any sport that Gordie coached, and they do not win as many games as they did under Gordie. Take another team and put Gordie in as the coach, and they are going to win more games. Simply put, he made people and teams better. Gordie could have run a Fortune 500 company or he could have coached professionally. He probably would've excelled at anything he wanted to do. I am glad he chose kids and I am glad he chose me.

I would spend hours in Gordie's office talking about baseball. His stories were hypnotic. As I was converting from an infielder to a pitcher, he didn't provide me with any magic drills or potion to help me become an all-conference pitcher. Instead he gave me a rubber ball, and told me to find a brick in the gym and throw the ball at that brick until either the ball or the brick broke. If the ball broke, I was to come back and get another ball. If the brick broke, I was to run like hell because the gym was coming down.... and then I was to find a new brick and start throwing at that one. He would talk about Lanky Lew Burdette, Warren Spahn, and my favorite: Ted Williams. Gordie would say to our team "Yeah, I just got off the phone with Ted Williams. He told me his only regret in life is that he didn't hit enough. Can you imagine? The best hitter to ever live saying he should hit more? There you have it fellas, go hit more."

 A few of my other favorite quotes:

 "Warren Spahn could hit a gnat's ass"

"I'll trade you for a dog and shoot the dog"

"I have never lost a game, I just ran out of innings."

My sympathies go to Bob, Penny, and all the Gillespie family. Gordie may have run out of innings, but his legacy and influence will live on through the leaders he helped create. 

Paul Babcock - Current Lincoln-Way East Head Coach, Former St. Francis Player ('93)

I remember almost every interaction that I had with Gordie, because I always felt his greatness. I may have had a little more time with him since a large portion of my career I was the runner for the catcher. I spent as much time as I could next to him. I was also fortunate to be a Graduate assistant with Coach Gillespie, Delgado, and Heinsen in 1994.

His greatness was in how special he made me (and everyone else around him) feel and how much he inspired me to be the best ME that I could be. I have always sought out the company of people who make me better and he was the best at that. I decided in sixth grade that I was going to play for him when my Pony League baseball coach brought me to a clinic. Gordie found out I grew up close to Wisconsin and went into great detail of how much he admired Vince Lombardi. It was like I was hearing my own thoughts.

When I came for a college visit my senior year of high school, he let me brag about my batting average and made it seem like he had never heard of a player so great. I believed him. Today, I know he made everyone feel that way and all of us would do anything to be the player he saw. In that same meeting, he brought up my favorite movie, Rocky! He talked about the "indomitable spirit of man" and never giving up. Again, he was saying words that I believed in but never heard anyone verbalize. I felt like he was the man I wanted to become one day. I can honestly say that each day he impacts my decisions and who I want to be.

In 1993, we were able to win the NAIA National Championship. I remember clearly him addressing the team in the hotel lobby in Des Moines. He told us all to shower and pack up and meet back there in an hour.  Five minutes later the phone rang in my room. He started yelling at me, "Paul, You are a captain, why are you not down here helping me get the vans loaded up!" I was so confused. I sputtered, "Coach, didn't you tell us to meet you in an hour?" He then said, "Paul, I am kidding, I just wanted you to know that the catch you made was the best I have ever seen and we don't win the championship without it." Needless to say, I was speechless but never have I felt so much pride in myself. Over the last 20 years, I must have called him easily over 100 times. He never failed to bring up the catch. I always thought he was just trying to make me feel great. The story should end there, but it doesn't.  One day at Lincoln-Way East baseball practice a player asked if he could say something.  I was caught off guard but said, "sure." He pulled out a copy of Collegiate Baseball from when Gordie was interviewed about his 50th year in baseball. He read the article to the team. My jaw was on the floor when I found out that Gordie mentioned me by name and said "the catch" was his most memorable moment. WOW. I still don't think the catch was THAT good but I'll take it. I read that article when I need a pick me up.

He also had a huge impact on me after I started teaching and coaching. A simple phone call from that man can do wonders. I don't remember the year, but our team at LWE was ranked #1 in the sectional. We were up 6-2 in the 7th inning of the Regional with my best pitcher on the mound. We lost 7-6. I was really questioning myself about what I could have done differently. I remember two things about that phone call. Number 1: He joked about not laying down in the middle of Route 30. Number 2: He said, "I am so proud of you and those kids are lucky to have you." His timing was always perfect. If Gordie says it, it must be true. If not, I will work to make it true. On two other occasions when life was not going very smoothly, I got a call or a message. If it was a message I played it over and over and over....and thought I am so glad he is in my life.  Gordie will always be...everything.