The Minnesota Golden Gophers baseball team announced on Wednesday that they will be retiring long time Minnesota manager John Anderson’s #14 in a ceremony prior to Saturday’s game. Anderson who announced in December that he would be retiring at the end of the season will manage his final three games at Siebert Field this weekend when the Gophers host Michigan State. This season is his 43rd leading the Gophers and his 49th overall at Minnesota including his time spent as a player, student assistant coach, graduate assistant and assistant coach.

Before the second game of the series between the Gophers and Spartans on Saturday a special ceremony will be held to honor Anderson. A mural of Anderson will be unveiled on the left field wall at Siebert Field. Anderson’s mural will be the seventh added to the wall in left field. He will join former Gophers Paul Giel (No. 34), Dick Siebert (No. 24), Dave Winfield (No. 31), Paul Molitor (No. 11), David Chelesnik (No. 26) and Herb “Ike” Isakson (No. 5) in having his number retired. Siebert Field will open at 12:30 p.m. and fans are encouraged to be in their seats by 1:15 p.m. The game against Michigan State is slated to start at 2 p.m. after the on-field ceremony.

Anderson has had a long and illustrious career as the manager of the Gophers. In 43 seasons he is the winningest baseball coach in the history of the Big Ten. During his tenure, the Gophers have won 11 Big Ten titles, 10 Big Ten Tournament championships and made 18 NCAA tournament appearances.

Anderson has been named the Big Ten Coach of the Year eight times, most recently in 2018 after leading Minnesota to a Big Ten Championship and the Super Regionals for the first time in program history.

Under his watch, 115 Gophers have been drafted to the MLB. With two selections in the 2023 draft, the Gophers extended their draft streak to 36 consecutive years. The streak is the longest in the Big Ten with Ohio State (12 years) and Michigan (10 years) as the next closest Big Ten teams. Anderson has coached 28 All-America selections, nine Big Ten Players of the Year, three Big Ten Pitchers of the Year and four Big Ten Freshman of the Year during his tenure. He’s had a winning record in 36 seasons.

It’s a crucial series for the Gophers who are fighting to get into the top 8 in the Big Ten standings to qualify for the Big Ten Tournament. Minnesota currently sits in a tie for 11th place at 7-11 in Big Ten play while Michigan State is in 7th place at 9-9. Minnesota closes out the regular season next weekend at last place Northwestern. The Gophers at minimum most likely need to take two of the from MSU this weekend.

Minnesota will have Anderson themed give-aways both Friday and Saturday. On Friday night the first 250 people will receive a free #14 jersey koozie, and on Saturday the first 500 people will receive a free John Anderson commerative pennant. Sunday will be all about the students as the Gophers honor Anderson’s final Senior Day.

Congrats to Coach Anderson and good luck to the Gophers!