Former Major League Baseball player Joe Nossek, who went on to be a longtime MLB coach, has died. He was 85.
Nossek played for the Twins, Athletics and Cardinals over the course of his pro baseball career. He appeared in 295 MLB games, hitting .228 with three home runs and 53 RBIs.
“The Minnesota Twins are saddened to hear of the passing of former player, Joe Nossek,” the Minnesota Twins posted on X. “Our thoughts are with his loved ones in their time of grieving.”
Nossek’s best season came in 1966 with the Athletics when he hit .261 with 10 doubles, three triples, a home run and 27 RBIs. His pro baseball career lasted from 1964 to 1970.
After retiring from baseball, Joe Nossek got into coaching. He spent time as a coach with the Brewers, Twins, Indians, Royals and White Sox organizations.
“Deeply saddened by the passing of Joe Nossek, one of the greatest minds I have ever worked with and a phenomenal mentor to me,” former Dodgers General Manager Dan Evans said. “Elite man with an awesome sense of humor. My thoughts are with his wife Jean and their four kids. I was so incredibly lucky to know him.”
Baseball Hall of Famer Tony La Russa also shared his reaction to Nossek’s death.
“I would say with no hesitation, in our generation, he would be tied for first for the best baseball mind,” La Russa said, according to MLB.com reporter Scott Merkin.