Lansing Sun

Former Michigan State baseball assistant coach Jake Boss Sr. was inducted into the Michigan Baseball Hall of Fame at Jackson® Field™ on July 20, 2024.

The induction ceremony took place before the Lansing Lugnuts' game against the Great Lakes Loons and included a dinner, video presentation, and speeches by the inductees.

Boss Sr. joined the Spartan staff in 2008 under his son, head coach Jake Boss Jr., bringing extensive baseball credentials and accomplishments at both high school and collegiate levels. From 2008 to 2012, he served as a volunteer assistant coach for MSU. He later transitioned to the Spartan Radio booth as an analyst with Scott Moore from 2014 to 2018.

Boss has held various positions at high schools in the Greater Lansing area. Before joining MSU, he was head coach at Lansing Catholic Central from 2002 to 2008, earning six district Coach of the Year honors and two regional and conference Coach of the Year awards.

His collegiate experience includes stints as an assistant coach at Alma College (1999-2001) and Eastern Michigan (1996-1999). Boss began his head coaching career in 1973 at Lansing Everett High School, where he coached until 1996, accumulating numerous accolades including seven conference Coach of the Year awards and four district Coach of the Year titles.

Throughout his career spanning nearly three decades, Boss amassed over 500 wins. He was inducted into the Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1994 after achieving significant success with multiple teams. His achievements include three Diamond Classics victories, seven conference titles, ten district championships, three regional crowns, and an MIAA championship with Alma College.

In addition to his coaching success, Boss was recognized by Major League Baseball organizations for over 25 years. He served as Associate Major League Scout for the Toronto Blue Jays from 1983 to 1996 and also worked as an associate scout for the Los Angeles Dodgers. In recognition of his contributions to baseball in Greater Lansing, he was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 2009.

Boss holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Western Michigan University (1967) in physical education and a master's degree from Michigan State University (1974) in curriculum development.

Founded on January 28, 2015, and housed at Jackson® Field™, the mission of the Michigan Baseball Hall of Fame is to honor past baseball heroes from Michigan while celebrating current players and inspiring future generations. The Hall recognizes all levels of baseball within the state.

For more information about the Michigan Baseball Hall of Fame visit michiganbaseballhall.org or call (517)485-4500. The Hall is located at Jackson® Field™, home of the Lansing Lugnuts—High-A affiliate of Oakland Athletics—at 505 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing Mich.