MINNEAPOLIS -- University of Minnesota pitching coach Todd Oakes died Thursday after a four-year battle with leukemia. He was 55.
The school announced his death. Terri Oakes wrote on her husband's CaringBridge page that he died "surrounded by his family with a cross in his hand and his favorite music playing." Todd Oakes had been placed in home hospice care last week.
Oakes joined the Gophers' coaching staff in 1999, and 26 of his pitchers were drafted by major league teams, including three-time All-Star Glen Perkins of the Twins.
Minnesota won the Big Ten regular-season title this season, and coach John Anderson took the trophy to Oakes' home.