FSU’s Gene Ammann won 31 of 37 starts with 20 complete games; next stop CB Hall of Fame

• Gene Ammann, a former Florida State pitcher, will be inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2026.
• Ammann’s 1970 season was one of the best in NCAA history, finishing 15-0 with a 0.66 ERA.
• Ammann led FSU to their first NCAA championship game appearance in 1970, where they lost to Southern Cal in 15 innings.
• Ammann’s career ERA of 1.48 is a program best at Florida State.

Gene Ammann had multiple college options out of high school in 1967.

The pitcher from Georgia favored Mississippi State. However, that changed when he made his last scheduled visit to No. 1 Florida State, where he met coach Fred Hatfield and watched the Seminoles, finally with stadium lights installed, play two night games.

Ammann described Hatfield as “a very engaging person” and FSU’s game atmosphere as “totally electric.” Hatfield also challenged Ammann during his breakfast visit with the recruit, telling Ammann if he’d play if he was good enough.

“That cinched the deal for me,” Ammann said.

Ammann, of course, proved he was certainly good enough to play.

FSU ace Gene Ammann etches name in FSU, NCAA record books; next stop is College Baseball Hall of Fame

During his three-year career (1968-70), the 5-foot-10, right hander etched his name into the FSU and NCAA record books. And his junior season in 1970 ranks as one of the best ever in NCAA history, finishing 15-0 with the lowest ERA all-time in a single season at 0.66.

Amman also helped the Seminoles for the first time reach the NCAA championship game in 1970, when they were beat 2-1 in 15 innings by Southern Cal in Omaha, Nebraska. FSU played six games in six days, with Ammann registering complete-game victories in five days over Arizona and Texas and earning the tourney’s Most Valuable Player Award.

And while Ammann was not named an All-American that season by the American Baseball Coaches Association – the only All-American selector recognized by the NCAA at that time – Ammann’s career will be celebrated at the highest level in the College Baseball Hall of Fame in early 2026.

Ammann, 76, will become the seventh Seminole inducted into the sport’s Hall of Fame, joining Dick Howser (2008); J.D. Drew, (2016); Mike Martin (2019); Terry Kennedy (2021); Danny Litwhiler, (2021); and Mike Fuentes (2023). Amman was recently informed the news by former FSU baseball player and friend Craig Ramsey, a member of the College Baseball Hall of Fame’s selection committee.

“I was totally taken back, overwhelmed,” Ammann said, and added with a chuckle, “I told Craig I was accepting it.”

FSU pitcher Gene Ammann known for remarkable consistency

As LSU and Coastal Carolina meet in the 2025 best-of-three College World Series championship series, Ammann often reflects on the Seminoles’ opportunity 55 years ago against the Trojans. FSU baseball has yet to win a national title despite three appearances in the finals (1970, 1986 and 1999) and 24 overall in the CWS.

Amman credited USC but also pointed out that “we had some breaks go against us.”

FSU starter Pat Osburn (12-2, 0.92 ERA), who tossed a complete-game win over Dartmouth in the CWS’ second round, had thrown four scoreless innings against the Trojans. However, he was lost with a knee injury in the fifth as he legged out a bunt that scored the Seminoles’ lone run. And since FSU, Texas and USC each had one loss in the CWS format, USC won the coin toss for a bye into the title game and played five games in seven days.

“Our 1970 team gave us a solid chance at the title and the CWS was an awesome (experience),” Amman said.

“Southern Cal just outlasted us.”

Ammann’s career stats for any era are mind-boggling and reflected his remarkable consistency.

Throwing with a traditional over-the-top windup, Amman leaned on a mid-80s fastball with a curve and a slider taught to him by a teammate. He finished with a career record of 31-2 and a program-best 1.48 ERA. He won 31 of his 37 starts and registered 20 complete games, 10 his junior season that also featured eight shutouts (11 overall).

“I relied on an inside fastball ball, especially when ahead in the count,” said Amman, who worked 298.2 innings with 319 strikeouts and 141 walks and added his goal was to retire the side on 11 to 15 pitches. “I’d throw at the belt buckle at a right-handed hitter, trying to get a weak ground ball than a strike out.”

Drafted in the third round of the 1970 Major League Baseball Draft by the Milwaukee Brewers following his junior season, Ammann played five minor-league seasons before he embarked a successful career with AT&T.

Ammann resides in the Atlanta area, is an avid golfer and remains connected with FSU baseball. Inducted into FSU’s Athletics Hall of Fame in 1991, Ammann and others from the 1970 team were honored at an FSU home game this season.

Amman’s highest honor is yet to come and will take place early next year in February in Overland Park, Kansas – home to the College Baseball Hall of Fame – as a member of the 2025 induction class.

“All of this is overwhelming,” Ammann said.

Highlighting the 11-memer 2024 class were Ohio University great and 12-time MLB All-Star Mike Schmidt, University of Texas legend and seven-time Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens, and Georgia Tech National Collegiate Player of the Year and three-time MLB All-Star Mark Teixeira.

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