The A’s Society is particularly pleased to announce that is has partnered with the National Baseball Hall of Fame to arrange for Eddie Joost to appear as a speaker in Cooperstown, NY on April 17, 2008. The program will feature the former A’s manager speaking about his career and answering questions from the audience. Joost is scheduled to appear in the Bullpen Theater at the Hall of Fame at 1 p.m. to make his presentation.

While we in the A’s Society tend to focus on Joost’s time with the Mackmen, his career extended well beyond the confines of the City of Brotherly Love. Eddie Joost started in the major leagues in 1936 with the Cincinnati Reds and was a member of the 1940 World Championship team. Joost’s next stop was in Boston with the Braves, playing there for two seasons (1943, 1945) before moving on to the Philadelphia Athletics. He stayed with the A’s from 1947-54, topping off his tenure by managing the club during its last year in Philadelphia. Joost ended his big league career with the Boston Red Sox in 1955.

Undoubtedly, Eddie Joost has a lot to reminisce about when it comes to his time in baseball, and it will make for an educational and entertaining presentation for those fortunate enough to attend the program. Those of us who have heard Joost speak at the A’s Society Reunion Breakfast know how well he can make the past come alive with his stories and anecdotes.

Drawing from his experiences with the Mackmen, Joost almost certainly will address setting the regular season double play record with the rest of the A’s infield during the 1949 season. He also will assuredly recollect that fateful last year in Philadelphia (1954) when developments off the field were far more portentous for the Athletics than what was occurring on the baseball diamond.

Joost’s appearance at Cooperstown represents the first time the A’s Society has joined with the Hall of Fame to arrange a program featuring a former Philadelphia Athletics’ player as the speaker. We’re excited about this event and are grateful to the Hall for its support in making the occasion a reality. So, mark your calendar. Cooperstown is the place to be and April 17th is the time to be there to hear Eddie Joost talk about his life in baseball.