The Cleveland baseball community is mourning the loss of one of its own. Joe Nossek, a respected former coach and longtime baseball mind, has passed away at the age of 85.
A Cleveland native and Euclid High School alum, Nossek spent more than three decades in Major League Baseball-six years as a player, and an impressive 28 as a coach. He spent five of those coaching seasons with his hometown franchise from 1977 through 1981, working under managers Frank Robinson, Jeff Torborg, and Dave Garcia.
Nossek’s impact on the game ran deep. Known around the league for his sharp baseball instincts, he earned a reputation as a master strategist-particularly for his ability to decode signs from opposing teams.
That skill, once a niche specialty, became one of the defining aspects of his coaching identity. He was so well regarded in baseball circles that Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa once praised him for his exceptional baseball mind during their time together with the Chicago White Sox.
Nossek’s coaching career also included stops with the Minnesota Twins, Kansas City Royals, and the White Sox. And he wasn’t just a presence in the dugout-he was often right in the middle of some of baseball’s more memorable moments.
One such instance came during the infamous “Pine Tar Game” in 1983. After Royals star George Brett was ejected for using too much pine tar on his bat and manager Dick Howser was tossed as well, Nossek may have stepped in to manage the resumed portion of the game-one the Royals eventually won after a successful protest.
Before his coaching days, Nossek carved out a six-year playing career in the big leagues. Most notably, he started in center field for the Minnesota Twins during the 1965 World Series-a series that ended with Sandy Koufax delivering a legendary Game 7 shutout for the Dodgers on just two days’ rest.
Nossek also had stints with the Kansas City/Oakland Athletics and wrapped up his playing days with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1970.
He appeared in 295 games, finishing with a .228 career batting average and three home runs.
Nossek’s contributions to the game were recognized in 2005 when he was inducted into the Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame-a fitting honor for someone who gave so much to the sport and his city.
Sadly, Nossek is the third former member of the Cleveland franchise to pass away this offseason. Pitchers Tom Timmerman and Steve Hargan both died in November.
Timmerman, also 85, spent much of his career in the minor leagues but broke through in 1969 with the Detroit Tigers. He joined Cleveland in 1973 and brought a veteran presence to the pitching staff.
Hargan, who was 83, had a longer major league run. From 1965 to 1977, he pitched for Cleveland, the Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays, and Atlanta Braves. Known for his durability and workhorse mentality, Hargan was a staple of the Cleveland rotation during some transitional years for the franchise.
As the Guardians reflect on their history, the passing of figures like Nossek, Timmerman, and Hargan serves as a reminder of the many individuals who’ve helped shape the identity of the club across generations. Joe Nossek may not have been the most recognizable name to casual fans, but within the game, he was respected, admired, and above all, remembered as a true baseball lifer.