Jack Krol
Encyclopedia
John Thomas Krol was an American
coach
and manager
in Major League Baseball
.
Primarily a second baseman
and shortstop
, the right-handed hitting and throwing Krol never reached the major leagues during his playing career (1954-66). The native of Chicago, Illinois spent most of that period in the St. Louis Cardinals
farm system, and became a playing manager in 1966 with Rock Hill, South Carolina
of the Class A Western Carolinas League
.
By 1972, however, he was managing at the AAA level in the St. Louis system, and he received his major league baptism as a Cardinals coach in 1977. He served on the Redbirds' staff through 1980 and twice served as interim manager (in 1978 and 1980), winning one game and losing two. Krol then joined the San Diego Padres
as a major league coach (1981-86) and minor league
manager (1987-90) before returning to the Cardinals as manager of the AAA Louisville Redbirds in 1992-93. Over his 17-year minor league managerial career, he won 1,160 games and lost 1,139 (.503) and won three championships.
He died at age 57 of cancer
in Winston-Salem, North Carolina
. The Padres created the Jack Krol Award, which annually honors the club's top player development personnel, in his memory.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
coach
Coach (baseball)
In baseball, a number of coaches assist in the smooth functioning of a team. They are assistants to the manager, or head coach, who determines the lineup and decides how to substitute players during the game...
and manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
.
Primarily a second baseman
Second baseman
Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
and shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
, the right-handed hitting and throwing Krol never reached the major leagues during his playing career (1954-66). The native of Chicago, Illinois spent most of that period in the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
farm system, and became a playing manager in 1966 with Rock Hill, South Carolina
Rock Hill, South Carolina
Rock Hill is the largest city in York County, South Carolina and the fourth-largest city in the state. It is also the third-largest city of the Charlotte metropolitan area, behind Charlotte and Concord, North Carolina. The population was 71,459 as of . Rock Hill has undergone rapid growth between...
of the Class A Western Carolinas League
Western Carolinas League
The Western Carolinas League was a Class D and a low Class A full-season league in American minor league baseball. The WCL changed its name prior to the 1980 season and has been known since as the South Atlantic League, a highly successful low Class A circuit with teams up the Eastern Seaboard...
.
By 1972, however, he was managing at the AAA level in the St. Louis system, and he received his major league baptism as a Cardinals coach in 1977. He served on the Redbirds' staff through 1980 and twice served as interim manager (in 1978 and 1980), winning one game and losing two. Krol then joined the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
as a major league coach (1981-86) and minor league
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
manager (1987-90) before returning to the Cardinals as manager of the AAA Louisville Redbirds in 1992-93. Over his 17-year minor league managerial career, he won 1,160 games and lost 1,139 (.503) and won three championships.
He died at age 57 of cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
in Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Winston-Salem is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina, with a 2010 population of 229,617. Winston-Salem is the county seat and largest city of Forsyth County and the fourth-largest city in the state. Winston-Salem is the second largest municipality in the Piedmont Triad region and is home to...
. The Padres created the Jack Krol Award, which annually honors the club's top player development personnel, in his memory.