Former MLB outfielder Joe Nossek, who went on to be one of the best sign stealers in baseball as a coach, has died. He was 85.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Minnesota Twins are saddened to hear of the passing of former player, Joe Nossek,\u201d the Minnesota Twins posted on X<\/a>. \u201cOur thoughts are with his loved ones in their time of grieving.\u201d<\/p>\n Nossek\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n According to Chicago Tribune baseball writer Paul Sullivan<\/a>, Nossek was known as the best sign stealer in baseball during his coaching days. It was “a label he wore proudly,” Sullivan once wrote.<\/p>\n Joe Nossek was known by his peers as being incredibly smart.<\/p>\n \u201cDeeply saddened by the passing of Joe Nossek, one of the greatest minds I have ever worked with and a phenomenal mentor to me,\u201d former Dodgers General Manager Dan Evans said<\/a>. \u201cElite 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Baseball Hall of Famer Tony La Russa also shared his reaction to Nossek\u2019s death.<\/p>\n