EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Former Michigan State baseball player and member of the Spartans' 1954 College World Series team Jim Sack passed away at the age of 88 in his hometown of Grand Ledge, Michigan, on Dec. 7.
Sack was a three-year letterwinner from 1954-56, playing both infield and outfield for the Spartans. In 1956, Sack earned second-team ABCA All-American accolades after earning first-team All-Big Ten honors. He led MSU with a .393 average with 42 hits and 25 runs in 1956. Sack finished his Spartan career with a .354 average with 103 hits, 61 runs and 60 RBI. He was selected by Los Angeles in the 1956 Major League Baseball Draft.
The 1954 season was one for the ages as the Spartans won their first Big Ten Championship, ran through the NCAA tournament en route to a College World Series third-place finish, and completed the season with a then school-record 25-10-1 record behind the leadership of Spartan legend John Kobs. The '54 team featured three future Major League players in Ed Hobaugh, Bob Powell, and College World Series MVP Tom Yewcic, as well as future NFL quarterback and 1968 NFL MVP Earl Morrall.
After winning the Big Ten Championship, the Spartans defeated Ohio University to earn its first bid to the College World Series. Michigan State won its first two games of the CWS, beating Massachusetts, 16-5, then topping Arizona, 2-1, before dropping a close game to Rollins College, 5-4. The Spartans rebounded to beat Rollins in extra innings 3-2 before dropping the season finale to eventual champion Missouri, 4-3. Michigan State finished third in the CWS.
There will be a memorial service held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Our Savior Lutheran School or a charity of the donor's choice.
Jim Sack (2nd from right) remained active in Michigan State baseball events, including participating in the 2022 Golf Outing in September.
Was our extreme pleasure to welcome back 11 members of the 1954 College World Series Spartan team to celebrate their 65th @NCAACWS Anniversary and throw out the first pitch of game two! #MSUBaseballAlumniDaypic.twitter.com/Kxb2MzUSuI
