Cardinals legend Hub Kittle passes away at 86

Published on February 11, 2004 under New York-Penn League (NYPL)
New Jersey Cardinals News Release


Former New Jersey Cardinals Pitching Coach (NJC-96), Hubert HubKittle, died Tuesday at Yakima (Washington) Valley Memorial Hospital of complications related to kidney failure and diabetes. Hub was 86 years old.

The first time Hub was assigned to the New Jersey Cardinals organization was in the championship season of 1994 as a Roving Pitching Instructor. Kittle was one of 2 roving instructors who were awarded a championship ring for his contribution towards the teams title. Hub returned the following summer in the same capacity and then was named Pitching Coach for the 1996 season. Hub retired from the Cardinals organization the following year, and was brought back to Skylands Park in July of 1997 for an emotional ceremony in which the team retired his uniform, #34. It was at that ceremony, that Hub called the New Jersey Cardinals fans, the best fans in all of baseball.

New Jersey Cardinals Vice President and General Manager, Tony Torre had known Hub since Torres his first season in baseball in 1988. Torre said,

Hub was amazing. All of my good baseball stories and funniest are Hub Kittle stories. Hub became a special friend. Among my highlights with Hub were the post game dinners my wife, Desiree would make when Hub and other roving instructors came to town. One night we had Hub, George Kissell, Bob Milliken, Johnny Lewis, Ramon Ortiz, Luis Melendez and Chris Maloney over. The stories were flying and you had to be impressed with the history at one table. Of course Hub was at the center of it all. He appreciated his time in New Jersey and our recognition in retiring his jersey (#34). Every conversation we had he would ask if his number was still up on the wall. I spoke to Hub a couple of months ago. He hadnt been doing well the past year or so and was on dialysis treatment. In the last 6 or 7 conversations I had with Hub he didnt sound well at all, but once he got going with the memories and the stories he definitely perked up. It was his life and his love. We had a lot of fun with Hub. He was the best.

Torre added, Hub was ever appreciative to the Seattle Mariners for bringing him out retirement a several years ago. His one year out of ball was tortuous. He kept telling me how much he missed it. He jumped at the opportunity with the Mariners. Later, and although his health was failing he was unable to report to the Mariners but they kept him on the payroll. Hub acknowledged Benny Looper (Mariners VP of Player Development) for what he did in bringing him back to the game. Hub said Benny told him not to worry about anything.

Born February 19, 1917 in Los Angeles, California, Hubs playing career began in 1936 with the Santa Catalina Angels as a pitcher. He pitched in the minors until World War II when he served in the South Pacific and played on the Army baseball teams.

Upon returning from the war in 1946, Hub spent the next 25 years in the minors as a pitcher and manager. Hub also spent many years managing in the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Venezuela, and Puerto Rico. Hub was the General Manager and Manager of they Yakima team from 1955-59 and was named the 1960 Northwest League Executive of the Year.

Hub was a major league pitching coach for 8 seasons including five with the Houston Astros (1971-75) and the St. Louis Cardinals (1981-83). Hub was the Pitching Coach under Whitey Herzog on the 1982 World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals.

For all of Hubs accomplishments and honors, one of his proudest moments came in 1980 when he pitched an inning at age 63 for the Springfield Cardinals of the Midwest League, thus becoming a 6-decade player. Hub went un-scored upon that inning and even knocked down the first hitter after he tried to bunt on him.

Kittle is survived by two sons, one daughter, four step children, 18 grand children, and 13 great grand children.

For further information, contact the New Jersey Cardinals office at 973-570-7500.

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