Joe Astroth
From BR Bullpen
Joseph Henry Astroth
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 5' 9", Weight 187 lb.
- School University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Debut August 13, 1945
- Final Game May 13, 1956
- Born September 1, 1922 in East Alton, IL USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Joe Astroth was a catcher who had a ten-year American League career, all with the Athletics (first in Philadelphia and then in Kansas City). For the first few years of his major league career, he was managed by Connie Mack, who had also been a catcher in his playing days. Blessed with a very strong throwing arm, Astroth retired with one of the all-time best "Caught Stealing" percentages of 48 percent.
- Went to the University of Illinois along with Hoot Evers, and two years after Lou Boudreau.
- On September 23, 1950, he drove in six runs in one inning, with first a grand slam and then a single.
- He and Spook Jacobs threw out the first ball at Veterans Stadium for the game on June 18, 2002.
