TL1 Springfield Cardinals

George Kissell Passes Away

Published on October 8, 2008 under Texas League (TL1)
Springfield Cardinals News Release


Longtime St. Louis Cardinal George Kissell passed away on Tuesday, after being injured in a car accident on Monday evening. He was 88.

Kissell spent 69 years in the Cardinals' system and is regarded as one of the greatest baseball fundamentalists ever, tutoring managers like Sparky Anderson, Joe Torre and St. Louis Cardinals' skipper Tony LaRussa. He is also said to have spent time with every Cardinal player to pass through spring training in the last 68 years.

He was signed to a contract in 1940 by Branch Rickey, and upon returning from three years in the Navy, began his career as a coach and manager with the Cardinals. For the last several years, Kissell held the title of Cardinals' senior field coordinator for player development.

"On behalf of everyone within the entire Cardinals' family, we'd like to offer our thoughts and prayers for the entire Kissell family," said Vice President / General Manager Matt Gifford. "George will always be a big part of the Cardinals' family. He embodies what it truly means to be a Cardinal and will be greatly missed."

Kissell is survived by his wife Virginia, his daughter Kay and his son Dick, who is a member of the medical staff for the Springfield Cardinals at Hammons Field.

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