John Sanders

John Frank Sanders

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 2", Weight 200 lb.
• School University of Northern Colorado
• High School Grand Island High School
• Debut April 13, 1965
• Final Game April 13, 1965
• Born November 20, 1945 in Grand Island, NE USA
• Died February 3, 2022 in Woodstock, GA USA

BR page

Biographical Information

John Sanders had one game in the major leagues but has had a life in baseball.

Sanders was a top star at Grand Island High School in Nebraska, being named all-state football quarterback, all-state basketball, and winner of the discus event at the state track meet.

When Sanders graduated in June 1964, he was signed by the Kansas City Athletics and scout Whitey Herzog for a $25,000 a bonus. He spent one year in the minors, hitting .433 in limited time for the 1964 Wytheville A's. He appeared in one game during his major league career, as a pinch runner in the 8th inning of an 8-3 Kansas City loss to the DetroitTigers on April 13, 1965. The Boston Red Sox then claimed him off waivers from the A's in May.

The only extensive playing time of his professional baseball career came with the 1965 Wellsville Red Sox, for whom he hit .309 with 9 homers and 69 RBI. He hit .140 for the 1966 Jacksonville Suns, .185/~.281/.238 the next year for the Williamsport Mets and .083 in 1968 to complete his career with the High Point-Thomasville Hi-Toms.

After his playing days, he coached at the University of Nebraska from 1978 to 1997. He also managed the GCL Red Sox from 1999 to 2002.

He is in the Nebraska Sports Hall of Fame.

Year-By-Year Minor League Managerial Record

Year	Team	League	Record	Finish	Organization	Playoffs
1999	GCL Red Sox	Gulf Coast League	30-29	7th	Boston Red Sox
2000	GCL Red Sox	Gulf Coast League	29-26	7th	Boston Red Sox
2001	GCL Red Sox	Gulf Coast League	37-22	2nd	Boston Red Sox	Lost in 1st round
2002	GCL Red Sox	Gulf Coast League	26-34	11th	Boston Red Sox

Year-by-Year Coaching Record

Year	School	Overall Record	Conference Record	Notes
1978	University of Nebraska	36-20	7-7
1979	University of Nebraska	49-15	14-6	Big Eight / CWS Regionals
1980	University of Nebraska	49-15	16-4	Big Eight / CWS Regionals
1981	University of Nebraska	42-22	11-11	Big Eight
1982	University of Nebraska	44-13	15-5	Big Eight
1983	University of Nebraska	44-15	8-10	Big Eight
1984	University of Nebraska	46-20	15-6	Big Eight
1985	University of Nebraska	45-24	16-6	Big Eight / CWS Regionals
1986	University of Nebraska	35-25	14-9	Big Eight
1987	University of Nebraska	36-21	12-8	Big Eight
1988	University of Nebraska	48-23	12-12	Big Eight
1989	University of Nebraska	27-31	8-16
1990	University of Nebraska	42-26	12-12	Big Eight
1991	University of Nebraska	37-22	10-14
1992	University of Nebraska	31-25	11-13
1993	University of Nebraska	35-23	16-12	Big Eight
1994	University of Nebraska	32-28	14-16	Big Eight
1995	University of Nebraska	35-23	13-14	Big Eight
1996	University of Nebraska	27-27-1	8-17
1997	University of Nebraska	27-35	7-23

Related Sites

• Nebraska Sports Hall of Fame: John Sanders (includes photo)