Frank Kostro – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Frank Kostro really embodies the classic journeyman baseball player from the 1960s. He was a versatile infielder who managed to stick around in Major League Baseball for seven years, mostly thanks to his grit and adaptability.

Born in the coal mining town of Windber, Pennsylvania, Kostro didn’t exactly light up the stat sheet. Instead, he made his mark by filling in at a bunch of positions and just helping out wherever coaches needed him.

Kostro’s MLB career lasted from 1962 to 1969. He played 266 games for three teams: the Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Angels, and Minnesota Twins. His path through pro baseball shows just how tough it was to keep a spot on a big league roster back then.

Kostro’s story is about more than just numbers. He gives us a glimpse into the life of a utility guy fighting to stay in the majors, bouncing between teams and roles. From earning a college scholarship at the University of Michigan to wrapping up his career in 1969, Kostro’s journey feels familiar to so many players who quietly kept professional baseball going during its golden years.

Early Life and Education

Frank Jerry Kostro was born on August 4, 1937, in Windber, Pennsylvania. Growing up in a coal mining town really shaped his character and work ethic.

His athletic side came out in high school, where he played several sports. He ended up landing a scholarship to the University of Michigan.

Forbes High School Achievements

Frank Kostro went to Forbes High School in Windber. The school gave him the chance to play different sports and get better at all of them.

During those years, he stood out in both baseball and football. College scouts noticed his skills, especially since he could handle more than one sport.

The coal mining community around him put a big emphasis on hard work. That attitude rubbed off on Kostro and set him up for college and, eventually, pro ball.

His high school success earned him a full athletic scholarship. That scholarship turned out to be a huge stepping stone to his baseball career.

University of Michigan Baseball Experience

Kostro took his scholarship to Michigan, where he played both football and baseball. That kind of versatility was rare.

Pretty soon, he focused mainly on baseball. Playing for the Wolverines gave him access to great coaching and tough competition.

He really sharpened his defense and hitting at Michigan. Scouts started to take notice, and that led to his shot at the majors.

The Detroit Tigers signed him as an amateur free agent in 1958. His college days definitely gave him the polish he needed for pro ball.

Influence of Windber, Pennsylvania

Windber was a small coal town in southeastern Pennsylvania. The place built a blue-collar mentality in its residents.

That work ethic shaped how Kostro played and approached life. He leaned on those qualities during his time as a utility man in the majors.

Growing up there taught him determination. That drive kept him going, even when he bounced between the majors and minors.

Windber’s close-knit community always supported him. Even after he left, the town’s influence stuck with him.

Professional Baseball Career Overview

Frank Jerry Kostro played seven seasons in Major League Baseball from 1962 to 1969. He appeared in 266 games as a utility player and pinch-hitter.

He finished with a .244 batting average, 5 home runs, and 37 RBIs. He suited up for the Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Angels, and Minnesota Twins.

Major League Debut and Initial Seasons

Frank Kostro made his MLB debut on September 2, 1962, with the Detroit Tigers. He struck out in his first at-bat as a pinch-hitter against Eddie Fisher of the White Sox.

He later said, “The slider that he threw me to strike me out was about a foot outside.” Five days later, he picked up his first hit, a double off Minnesota’s Jim Kaat.

Kostro played 16 games for Detroit in his first year. He started 10 games at third base and hit .268, with 11 hits, including three doubles.

1962 Debut Statistics:

• Games: 16
• Batting Average: .268
• Hits: 11 (3 doubles)
• Primary Position: Third Base

Detroit Tigers Tenure

Kostro made the Tigers’ Opening Day roster in 1963 after a hot spring, hitting .458. Still, he struggled to get regular playing time in Detroit.

He started eight games that year, covering four positions. He logged time at third, first, left, and right field.

The Tigers mostly used him as a pinch-hitter. He went 5-for-20 in those situations, ending up with a .231 average for the season.

He just couldn’t find a steady spot, even though he could hit. Defensive issues at shortstop kept him from locking down a regular job.

Los Angeles Angels Years

On June 15, 1963, Detroit traded Kostro and Paul Foytack to the Los Angeles Angels for George Thomas. Angels manager Bill Rigney wanted him mostly as a pinch-hitter.

Kostro struggled at first, going hitless in four at-bats before heading to their Hawaii affiliate in July. He turned things around by hitting .415 with two homers in 10 games for the Islanders.

Notable Angels Achievements:

• First MLB home run: July 20, 1963 vs. Jim Bunning
• Started 23 games, his longest starting stretch in the majors
• Played multiple positions: first base, third base, left field, right field

The Angels dropped him from their 40-man roster in December 1963, selling him back to Hawaii after he hit .225 in 74 combined games.

Minnesota Twins Contributions

Kostro joined the Minnesota Twins on June 11, 1964, as part of a three-team swap with the Cleveland Indians. The Twins picked him up to boost their pinch-hitting, which was just 6-for-62 at the time.

He became a solid bench guy for manager Sam Mele. Kostro liked Mele’s approach, saying, “He was the kind of guy who would come up to you an inning before and say, okay, if this is the situation you’re going to hit.”

1964 Season Highlights:

• .272 average in 59 games
• 3 home runs and 12 RBIs
• .286 pinch-hitting average (10-for-35)
• Tied for fourth in AL pinch hits

Kostro stayed with Minnesota through 1965, even earning a World Series ring, though he spent some time in the minors. He returned for his last three years from 1967-1969, still filling in as a utility player and pinch-hitter.

Player Versatility and Positions

Frank Kostro built his career on being able to play just about anywhere. Over seven seasons, he saw action at six different positions, making him a go-to utility guy and pinch-hitter, though he never really locked down a starting spot.

Third Baseman and Infield Roles

Kostro played a lot at third base, starting 14 games there in the majors. He also logged decent time at second base and first base.

The Tigers first tried him as a shortstop in the minors. But he just couldn’t get comfortable there, making at least 47 errors in each of his first four minor league seasons.

Detroit manager Jimmy Dykes saw promise but also the flaws. “The kid’s going to be great some day,” Dykes said. “He has a good bat and a great arm.”

His best year was 1964 with the Twins. He started 19 games, mostly at 3B and 2B, and hit .281 with all three of his home runs that year.

Outfield Positions and Utility Skills

Kostro also spent time in the outfield, playing left field and right field. Teams valued that flexibility.

In 1962 with Denver, he played 57 games in the outfield, 45 at shortstop, and 36 at first base. That kind of versatility got him named to the postseason all-star team as a utility player.

His outfielder skills came more from necessity than natural fit. Teams moved him to the outfield when his infield defense got shaky. That switch let him focus on hitting without the stress of tough infield spots.

Key Positions Played:

• LF: Multiple starts with different teams
• RF: Regular fill-in
• Outfield total: A big chunk of his 266 games

Comparisons with Teammates

Detroit GM Rick Ferrell once compared Kostro’s hitting to Harvey Kuenn. “In appearance and in his performance at the plate, he reminds you of Harvey Kuenn,” Ferrell said.

Ferrell liked his plate discipline and contact skills. “He knows where the strike zone is, seldom fans, and when he connects, it’s a good sharp line drive. He sprays ’em all over, too, just the way Harvey does.”

While other guys like Harmon Killebrew were locked into one position, Kostro’s value was his willingness to play anywhere. He filled in when regulars needed a break.

His 1B experience gave teams extra depth. Managers liked having a guy like him who could cover multiple spots without needing an extra roster slot.

Statistical Highlights and Achievements

Frank Kostro’s big league career from 1962-1969 wasn’t flashy, but he quietly put up some respectable numbers across three teams. He hit .244 for his career and played solid defense as a reliable utility player and pinch-hitter.

Batting Average and Offensive Production

Kostro finished with a .244 career average over 266 games. His best year was 1964 with the Twins, when he hit .272 in 59 games.

He collected 114 hits in the majors. He never had more than 151 at-bats in a season, which shows he was always a part-timer.

Kostro’s offense peaked in Minnesota in 1964. He batted .286 as a pinch-hitter that year, going 10-for-35 in key spots.

He was more of a contact hitter than a power guy. He rarely struck out and just tried to put the ball in play—kind of like Harvey Kuenn.

Career Home Runs and RBIs

Frank Kostro hit 5 home runs in his MLB career. His first came off Detroit’s Jim Bunning on July 20, 1963, while with the Angels.

He drove in 37 RBIs over his seven seasons. His best run production was in 1964 with the Twins, knocking in 12 runs in 59 games.

He wasn’t really there to hit for power. Kostro’s job was more about making contact and helping out in certain spots.

He scored 40 runs in his career. Even though he only started 80 games, he made his at-bats count.

Defensive Contributions and Notable Games

Kostro played five different positions in the majors: first, second, third, and both corner outfield spots. That versatility made him a favorite for managers who needed bench depth.

He struggled at shortstop in the minors, which led to all the position changes. He made at least 47 errors in each of his first four years at short.

He started 23 games for the Angels in 1963, his longest stretch as a starter. He bounced between first, third, left, and right field in that run.

Probably his most memorable moment came in 1965 with the Twins. Even though he got sent down in June, he still earned a World Series ring as part of the AL champs.

Final MLB Season and Retirement in 1969

Frank Kostro wrapped up his seven-season Major League Baseball run with the Minnesota Twins in 1969. At 32, he decided to call it a career and step away from pro ball.

That final campaign meant a lot to him. It closed out a journeyman career that stretched across three different organizations.

Performance in 1969

Kostro played his last MLB games with the Minnesota Twins during the 1969 season. He finished out his big-league story as a veteran infielder.

His stats? Not flashy, but respectable. Over seven years and 266 games, he hit .244.

He tallied just 5 home runs and 37 RBIs in total. That put him in the utility player camp, not quite an everyday starter.

Kostro had already spent time with Minnesota before, from 1967 to 1969. Earlier, he played for Detroit and Los Angeles.

Impact on the Minnesota Twins

The Twins counted on Kostro as a backup infielder. He could handle multiple spots on the diamond when the team needed coverage.

Mostly, the team used him off the bench. That fit with his skill set and where he was in his career.

He gave the Twins some much-needed infield depth. Teams always need guys who can plug holes, and Kostro fit that bill.

His experience from Detroit and Los Angeles added some wisdom to the Minnesota clubhouse.

Reasons for Retirement

Kostro retired in 1969 at age 32, after seven seasons in the majors. It feels like a natural endpoint for his career.

He probably saw his playing time shrinking. Backup players, especially as they get older, often watch their opportunities fade.

Professional baseball can be a brutal business, and competition for roster spots gets fierce. Teams usually lean toward younger players for development.

With a career batting average of .244, he might’ve felt he’d hit his ceiling as a player.

Post-MLB Career and Legacy

Frank Kostro didn’t stop with Major League Baseball. He kept playing, making his mark in both international leagues and the minors. Even after retiring, people recognized his athletic accomplishments and his impact on the game.

Playing in Japan with Hankyu Braves

After leaving MLB in 1969, Frank Jerry Kostro took his talents overseas. He signed with the Hankyu Braves in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball league.

Going to Japan gave Kostro a fresh chance to play at a high level. That leap let him show off his versatility as a utility player in a totally different setting.

Japan offered Kostro a window into another baseball culture. Playing for the Hankyu Braves showed how adaptable he could be, and he clearly loved the game enough to keep going far from home.

Minor League Success and Records

Kostro’s minor league career honestly outshined his time in the majors. Across nearly 1,200 minor league games, he hit a strong .303.

His best minor league season? That’d be 1962 with the Denver Bears. He hit .321, ranking third in the American Association, and drove in 97 runs—second only to Indianapolis’s Jim Koranda.

The Denver Bears took the American Association’s regular-season crown in 1960 under manager Charlie Metro. Kostro led the team with 165 hits, 97 RBIs, and that impressive .321 average during their championship run.

Later Life and Recognition

After his playing days, Kostro made his home in Denver, Colorado. He’d married Janet Baker back in 1961.

They stayed together almost 50 years, right up until Janet passed away on August 28, 2011.

People in his hometown didn’t forget his baseball days. The Cambria County Sports Hall of Fame inducted Kostro, recognizing both his athletic talent and his Pennsylvania roots.

The family went through a tough loss when their son Frank T. died in 1997 at just 35 years old.

Kostro and Janet also raised two other children, John and Greg, who grew up watching their dad’s baseball journey.