Amherst's Joe Nossek, longtime MLB player and coach, dies at 85

Joe Nossek was a legend in Ohio baseball. While fans think of him for his accolades and lifelong commitment to the sport, those closest will remember him for his devotion to faith and family. Nossek was born in Euclid, played at Ohio University and traveled all around in a Major League Baseball playing and coaching career that spanned 43 years before he retired in Amherst. He died Thursday after a brief illness. He was 85. Nicknamed "Coffee and Juice," Nossek started his MLB career in 1961 and was on the Minnesota Twins in the 1965 World Series, when he had four hits, including two off Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax and one off Hall of Famer Don Drysdale. He remained close with teammate Harmon Killebrew, considering the Hall of Fame slugger one of his best friends. "Playing in the World Series and almost winning it is definitely one of the highlights of my career," Nossek said in an interview in 2013. "I'll always remember the journey and the season getting there, and that's back when the Yankees dominated every year. It's a neat feeling to know that we were the ones to put a halt to their reign." One of his favorite highlights as a coach was when he got to live the childhood dream of working for his hometown Cleveland Indians from 1977-81. He served under Frank Robinson, Jeff Torborg and Dave Garcia. He was also a coach with the Milwaukee Brewers (1973-75), Twins (1976), Kansas City Royals (1982-83) and Chicago White Sox (1984-86, 1990-2003). In his two stints with the White Sox, he had the opportunity to coach Bo Jackson and Michael Jordan, who stepped away from basketball to attempt a baseball career. Nossek also became known as one of baseball's greatest sign stealers. "It's very flattering when you get compliments paid to you," Nossek said of his sign-stealing abilities. "The biggest thing about being able to pick up signs was paying attention. You've got to be watchful and use your eyes and listen when you'd rather be talking." Nossek is enshrined in the Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame (2005), Ohio University Athletics Hall of Fame (2013) and Euclid High School Sports Hall of Fame (1987). He was a first-team All-American outfielder for Ohio University in 1961 after graduating from Euclid in 1958. Nossek was a proud member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Amherst. His hobbies included golf, collecting and fishing, but most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Jean (DeMarco) Nossek, sons Scott and Todd and daughters Liane and Lori. He has 11 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brothers, Bill and Bob, and sister, Mary. Visitation will be Thursday from 4-7 p.m. at the Dovin and Reber Jones Funeral and Cremation Center in Amherst. The funeral Mass will be Friday at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph. Contact Steve Walker at (440) 329-7135 or SWalker@chroniclet.com.