Colboch inducted into St. Joseph Baseball HOF on Saturday night

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- Ky Turner and The St. Joseph Mustangs honored legendary city ballplayer Dave Colboch on Saturday night by inducting him into the St. Joseph Baseball Hall of Fame.

Colboch competed in numerous leagues and All-Star teams. He earned the respect of teammates, coaches, and opponents alike. Turner said this in a speech delivered on Saturday evening. Colboch drew attention from colleges across the region.

He also drew the attention of professional scouts, including those from the St. Louis Cardinals.

"(Baseball) is the only thing I cared about when I was a little kid growing up," Colboch shared. "My mom is the one who really pushed me. I got the bat boy job (at Phil Welch) in 1954 and did it in 1955 also."

After high school, the St. Louis Cardinals approached him about signing a professional contract at 17. His father inspired him to attend college instead. He went to Washburn University.

Two years after he began his education in Topeka, he was drafted into the United States Army in 1962. Colboch then switched gears. He enlisted in the Air National Guard and served for six years.

After his service, he tried to return to baseball. Teams told him he was too old to invest in, so he did not take the diamond professionally after that.

Colboch shared that he felt he hadn't done anything to deserve being inducted into the city's baseball hall of fame. Turner described Colboch's induction this way: "We recognize not only the ballplayer Dave Colboch was, but the man he became. His accomplishments on the field earned admiration. His character, service, and commitment to family earned respect that has lasted a lifetime."