The post Former White Sox coach Joe Nossek passes away at 85 appeared first on Sox On 35th.
Former Major League outfielder and longtime coach Joe Nossek passed away on Thursday. He was 85 years old.
“I would say with no hesitation, in our generation, he would be tied for first for the best baseball mind,” Hall-of-Fame manager Tony La Russa told MLB.com’s Scott Merkin.
That sentiment was widely shared by those who spent time around Nossek. Renowned for his intelligence and preparation, the Ohio native carved out a remarkable 43-year career in professional baseball, leaving a lasting impact both on and off the field.
Nossek’s career began when he signed with the Twins as an amateur free agent out of Ohio University, where he earned first-team All-American honors and All-Mid-American Conference recognition. He made his Major League debut with Minnesota in 1964 and went on to play six seasons between the Twins, Athletics, and Cardinals. His playing career was highlighted by an appearance in the 1965 World Series with the Twins, where he recorded four singles over six games.
After retiring as a player, Nossek transitioned seamlessly into coaching, spending nearly three decades on Major League staffs. He developed a reputation for his intelligence and strategic skill, including his ability to steal signs.
The White Sox hired Nossek ahead of the 1984 season, outbidding the Brewers’ $38,000 offer with a $50,000 contract. His salary famously prompted chairman Jerry Reinsdorf to say, “We don’t just sign coaches, we hire instructors.”
Nossek first served as a coach and advance scout for the White Sox from 1984 through the middle of the 1986 season, before departing to join the Astros’ advance scouting staff. Houston later granted permission for Chicago to speak with him again, and Nossek returned to the organization as an outfield coach and “eye-in-the-sky” defensive coordinator in 1990.
He was named the White Sox’s bench coach in 1991 under Jeff Torborg and remained in that role through the 2003 season. Prior to the 2004 campaign, Nossek stepped down due to ongoing physical issues.
“Unfortunately, my aches and pains have reached a point where I don’t want to jeopardize being able to fulfill my responsibilities in uniform,” Nossek said. “I have had a knee replaced, a shoulder is next, and my back continues to be a problem. It just has gotten tougher to be at the ballpark each day, and I wanted to make this decision now so that it is not a distraction to [manager] Ozzie [Guillen] or the team.”
Then-White Sox general manager Ken Williams praised Nossek’s enduring value to the organization.
“We cannot say enough about Joe Nossek and what he has meant to the White Sox organization over the past two decades. His loyalty, skills, and baseball knowledge are unmatched in this game. We understand how being in uniform each day has become more difficult for Joe, but we are going to make sure he remains a valuable resource for this organization in some capacity.”
Nossek retired to Amherst, Ohio, where he spent his later years with his wife, Jean. Together, they raised four children and were blessed with numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Our team at Sox On 35th would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to Joe Nossek’s family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time.
To read his obituary, click here.
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Featured Photo: Ron Vesely/White Sox
The post Former White Sox coach Joe Nossek passes away at 85 appeared first on Sox On 35th.