LUBBOCK, Texas – Sal Bando, a standout third baseman for the Arizona State Sun Devils in 1964-65 and a 2013 inductee into the National College Baseball Hall of Fame, died Friday at the age of 78.

“I am saddened to see the news of Sal’s passing,” said Mike Gustafson, president and CEO of the College Baseball Foundation. “He was fun to be with during his induction activities and was always responsive and helpful in the years since then. Our sympathies go out to his family and friends and the Sun Devil baseball community.”

Bando helped lead the Sun Devils to the College World Series in both of his seasons in Tempe and was named the MVP of the 1965 World Series, scoring the game-winning run in the title game against Ohio State.

He was a career .319 hitter at ASU with 130 hits, 99 runs scored and 92 RBI. He also was a two-time all-Western Athletic Conference player, and in 2010 was named to the College World Series Legends Team.

Following his time in Tempe, Bando was drafted in the sixth round by the then-Kansas City Athletics. He played for the A’s franchise for 11 seasons, including being a four-time All Star, and played another five seasons for the Milwaukee Brewers. After his playing career ended, he moved into the front office of the Brewers organization, eventually serving as the team’s general manager for eight seasons.

For more information on Bando’s contributions to college baseball, visit https://www.mlb.com/college-baseball-hall-of-fame/class-of-2013#bando.