Eddie Yost Dies, 'Walking Man' Baseman in American League Dead At 86
Eddie "Walking Man" Yost died on Tuesday, Oct. 16, in Weston, Mass., after a legendary career as a third baseman for three American League teams. His daughter, Felita Yost Carr, confirmed the death and stated that Yost had suffered heart problems during his life, however, the exact cause of death was not stated.
Yost was 86.
Yost never played in the minor leagues; at the age of 17, he made his major league debut with the Washington Senators and spent 14 seasons with the team, according to The New York Times. He played in 829 consecutive games from August 1949 to May 1955, the ninth-longest streak in baseball history, the report added.
He was chosen by former Yankee manager Casey Stengel to play in the 1952 All-Star Game with the New York team, one of the highest honors for a baseball player. His record for storming up the field and owning those bases earned him the nickname the Walking Man.
The Times also noted that one of Yost's greatest career achievements was his on-base percentage of .394 - higher than that of current and future Hall of Fame players such as Frank Robinson (.389), Willie Mays (.384) and Derek Jeter (.382). He topped 100 runs five times and led the AL in doubles one year, according to NBC Sports.
Toward the end of his career, Yost played for the Detroit Tigers and the Los Angeles Angels. He met his wife, Patricia Healy while with the Detroit team. Healy died in 2007.
Yost had an 18-year big-league career and when he stopped playing, he starting teaching: he spent more than two decades as a coach after throwing in the bat in 1962. He was with the Washington Senators and the Boston Red Sox, and also coached third base for the Mets.
Yost is survived by his daughters, Carr and Alexis Yost Fougere, a son, Michael, his sister and two grandchildren.
