18
2012
Mets Long Time Coach, Eddie Yost, Passes Away
An article by Tie Dyed
Eddie Yost, whose 8 years as a Mets coach is third longest in team history, passed away on Tuesday. He was 86.
Born in Brooklyn on October 13, 1926, Edward Frederick Joseph Yost was signed as a 17 year old straight out of high school by Washington. After serving his country in World War II the following year, Yost returned stateside and was immediately put on the Senators roster. He never played in the minors.
He was nicknamed ‘The Walking Man’ for his uncanny propensity to draw walks. He was regarded to be the best lead-off hitter of his day as well as one of the best defensive third baseman in the league. Over the course of his 16 year career, Yost walked 1,614 times. Eight times he topped 100 walks in a season. At the time of his retirement, only Babe Ruth, Ted Williams and Mel Ott had drawn more bases on balls. His greatest total was 151 in 1956. That season his batting average was a meek .231, but he offset that was a .412 OBP.
His best offensive season was 1950 where he matched a .440 on-base percentage with a career high .295 batting average. “Because I could draw walks, pitchers treated me like I was a .400 hitter,” Eddie once commented. An opposing manager, in an effort to motivate his staff, began charging his pitchers $25 every time they walked Eddie. This practice was short lived when his staff complained of being in debt hundreds of dollars to the manager. Senators owner Clark Griffith stated, “I wouldn’t trade Yost for Mantle straight up.” Casey Stengel, who managed the Yankee dynasty throughout the 50’s, wanted desperately to add Yost to his roster. Baseball historian Phil Wood said, “He reached the point where the umps said if Eddie didn’t swing at the pitch, they wouldn’t call
it a strike.”
In addition to reaching base via the walk, Yost also set the major league record of the most HR’s to lead-off a game with 28, a record that stood until Bobby Bonds in the 1970’s.
In addition to living up to his nickname of The Walking Man, Eddie also led AL third basemen in put-outs 8 times, double plays 7 times, assists 3 times and fielding percentage twice.
From August 30, 1949 to May 11, 1955. Eddie played in 829 consecutive games, 8th longest streak in history.
In December 1958, Washington decided to part ways with their Yost after 14 seasons. They needed to make room for a young rookie named Harmon Killebrew and Eddie was traded to the Tigers. That following season, his first year with Detroit, Yost hit a career high 21 HR’s and led the AL in Runs, OBP and walks.
After 2 seasons with Detroit, Yost was picked up in the expansion draft by the Los Angeles Angels. He became the first batter in Angels history.
He retired in 1962 with a mediocre .254 career batting average, 683 RBI’s but an impressive .394 OBP. He returned back east where he became a third base coach for Washington and their manager Mickey Vernon. When Vernon was replaced, the Senators’ new manager requested Yost to stay on board. That new manager was named Gil Hodges.
When Hodges accepted a managerial job in New York, he brought Eddie with him. Yost served as Mets 3b coach from 1968-1975.
Eddie believed in small ball before small ball was cool. He realized the importance of reaching base and playing solid defense. This mantra fit in well with the Mets of that time who were heavy on pitching but light on offense. Yost was influential in the defensive development of Mets infielders, especially Wayne Garrett and Buddy Harrelson, the latter who tried to emulate Yost. Eddie realized the Mets hitting was anemic and he’d frequently wave runners around 3rd, trying to scratch out every run possible.
Eddie played in the majors 16 years, mostly with the hapless Senators, and never even came close to a post-season. It was during his time as Mets coach when, in 1969, he received what every player dreams of: A World Series ring.
During his playing days, Eddie enjoyed repairing antique clocks. In the 1950’s, he became the player rep for the AL and spoke before Congress on Baseball’s anti-trust. He also fought hard to increase the minimum salary and player pensions. During the off-season he attended NYU where he earned a Masters Degree in Physical Education.
His final at-bat came July 28th, 1962 when he was used as a pinch hitter. As one would expect, Eddie drew a walk.
About the Author: Rob Silverman
It was 1973 when my dad introduced this 7 year old kid to Baseball and the Mets. It's been a love and passion that has lasted for 40 years, much longer than my first marriage. Since I was little, there've been 2 things I've always dreamed of: 1) Being a successful author and 2) playing right field for the Mets after Rusty Staub retired. Although 4 decades have passed and based on the current condition of the Mets, I have not given up on either dream
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RIP Eddie Yost.
RIP Eddie.. who with all due respect, would’ve been love in this sabermetrics era.. the guy was a walking machine… Back then he was view as a good enough player to be on the roster, on this era guys like billly beane and sandy alderson would literally have thrown house money at the guy…
I really don’t want to turn this post into another war on saber but I did find his quote interesting:
“Because I could draw walks, pitchers treated me like I was a .400 hitter,”
So what? That means absolutely NOTHING. He was a leadoff guy who walked a lot and where did his teams always wind up?
The fact that a lifetime hitter of .254 had a good eye and led off means…..that he was a lifetime .254 hitter who had a good eye and led off.
It means nothing, it’s not indicative of anything, it’s not indicative of a man ahead of his time or any other ridiculous notion like that.
It meant he was a lifetime .254 hitter who led off for lousy teams.
“The Walking Man”
Sigh…………
R.I.P. Eddie.
When I remember Eddie Yost, he was standing in the third-base coaches box at Shea, his white hair visible from beneath his cap, and his arm wind-milling like it was about to fly off at the shoulder. And around third comes racing a rampaging Tommie Agee, running like an enraged bull with his hat flying off, as he whips past Eddie on his way home.
Yost was the best third-base coach the Mets ever had, on the best coaching staff this or perhaps any team ever had the privilege to employ.
Definitely agree with ya, Petey.
Eddie, Joe Pignatano, Roy McMillan and Rube Walker–who grew tomatoes in the bullpen
It was nice that he helped the Mets so much in their early years and get a World Series ring. A veteran who served his country in war and played the sport he loved while rasing his family. A life well lived!
The Walking Man. He was something else. His playing days are a bit vague for me, but as our third base coach he was one if not the best we ever had. Aggressive, but not too a fault. And the players all watched him and if they ignored his calls there would be hell to pay and sometimes even a fine if it ended up costing the team. The player would have to cough up $20 bucks or something like that. R.I.P. Eddie.
Thanks Mr. Coach. Spent many a time saying hi to him at Shea from our seats on the third base side….He was very kind to my little brother and me, and he frequented the restaurant the family owned down the block, just a home run away from shea, as they said. I thought my dad introduced him to us as “Mr. Coach!” Thus the name stuck. He actually said this is MR. YOST. Hey my hearing wasn’t ever great! Thank you Mr. Coach for being so nice to two little boys who were in awe that you were a real-life Met coach and that you knew our dad by his first name!! And us! I have that picture of you somewhere….
May you WALK safely into heaven.
So many fond memories of Eddie being a part of Gil’s coaching staff and sad to hear the news of his passing.
Am sure there is this kind of errie feeling shared with others old enough to remember those days, remembering how old he and his fellow coaches appeared to us then when we were looking through the eyes of youth and that we are now way much older than Eddie was back then.
Rest in Peace, Mr. Yost. As with the entire miracle team, you are a part of our life that could never be replaced.
So true, Joey.
Gil Hodges passed away at 47–which at the time, to a little kid, was downright ancient.
Gil and all the coaches seemed so “old and wise.”
Suddenly, as I get older I think, “47? Wow, he was young.”
So sad to hear this. R.I.P. Eddie Yost.
My day just got a little sadder. R.I.P. Eddie and say Hi to Gil for me.
“His final at-bat came July 28th, 1962 when he was used as a pinch hitter. As one would expect, Eddie drew a walk.”
The day I was born!
RIP Eddie!
Terribly sad news, Eddie Yost was the first coach Gil Hodges tabbed for his staff and they were both so similar in personality and motivating a young team. I will miss Eddie, rest in peace.