Eddie Joost, Philadelphia Athletics shortstop and manager, dies at 94

Eddie Joost, a two-time All-Star in an eight-year career with the Philadelphia Athletics and the team's player-manager in 1954, died Tuesday in Fair Oaks, Calif. He was 94.
 
Joost also had been the oldest living member of the 1940 World Series champion Cincinnati Reds.
 
In a 17-yeard playing career, at shortstop Joost had a career batting average of .239 with 134 home runs and 601 RBI. He also posted six consecutive seasons of more than 100 walks. He played for the Reds from 1936-42, the Boston Braves in 1943 and '45, the Athletics from 1947-1954 and finished his career with the Boston Red Sox in 1955.
 
With the Athletics, he was an All-Star in 1949 and 1952 and was a key part of the franchise's resurgence in the late 1940s. His best season with 1949 when he hit .263 with 23 home runs and 81 RBI. Joost and second baseman Pete Suder set the big-league recordfor doubleplays turned with 217 that season.
 
Joost replaced Jamie Dykes as manager of the Athletics for the 1954 season after the team fell to seventh the previous year. Dykes has been the manager for three seasons after replacing Connie Mack. Joost batted .362 in 47 at-bats, but the Athletics tumbled to 51-103 in the team's final season in Philadelphia before moving to Kansas City.
 
Joost was fired and finished his playing career as a utility infielder with the Red Sox.
 
He was a San Francisco native and had been living in Shingle Springs, Calif.