Former infielder Eddie Kasko died Wednesday:
Kasko served two years in the Korean War from 1952-1954 with the U.S. Army Combat Engineers before making his baseball debut.
He started his career with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1957 before moving on to play for the Cincinnati Reds from 1959-1963. He was selected to the National League’s 1961 All-Star team during a four-year stretch (1959-1962) when Major League Baseball had two such games each year.
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My thoughts go out to his family and friends.
Kasko batting record seems typical of middle infielders of the time. His batting average made up a high percentage of his offensive value. He put the ball in play, not walking nor striking out very much, and few of his hits went for extra bases. He was a solid player, whose career might have looked much better if he reached the majors before seasonal age 26.
He went on to manage the Red Sox, posting a 345-295 record in four years, finishing second or third each season. Despite the record, the Red Sox replaced him at the end of 1973, but promoted him to executive scout, a position created to keep Kasko on board. Kasko would go on to sign stars like Roger Clemens, Jeff Bagwell, and Mo Vaughn.