Andy Kosco – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Andy Kosco’s professional baseball career lasted nearly a decade in the major leagues. He moved from the Minnesota Twins to six other teams before finally hanging up his cleats.

People remember Kosco as a journeyman outfielder, bouncing around to seven different franchises during his time in the big leagues. His path through pro baseball wasn’t always easy, but he showed the grit it takes to stick around in America’s pastime.

Kosco retired from professional baseball in 1974 after spending his last two seasons with the Cincinnati Reds. His career started with promise in Minnesota back in 1965.

The Ohio native’s journey through the majors included stops with some of baseball’s most storied franchises, from the New York Yankees to the Los Angeles Dodgers. He finished with a career batting average of .236 and 73 home runs, but that stat line doesn’t really tell the whole story.

He kept adapting to new teams and cities throughout his pro life. Not every player becomes a superstar, and Kosco’s story is a good look at what a solid, determined career can look like.

Andy Kosco’s Baseball Career Overview

Andy Kosco played 10 seasons in Major League Baseball from 1965 to 1974. He wore uniforms for seven different teams and put up a .236 batting average, 73 home runs, and 267 RBIs.

He made his debut with the Minnesota Twins during their 1965 pennant-winning season. Kosco wrapped up his MLB years with the Cincinnati Reds in the mid-1970s.

Early MLB Debut and Teams

Kosco stepped onto a Major League field for the first time on August 13, 1965, with the Minnesota Twins at age 23. He grounded out as a pinch-hitter for Garry Roggenburk at Cleveland Stadium.

The next day, things got more interesting. Kosco made his first start, picked up his first hit, and knocked his first home run, all in a 1-for-4 outing in right field.

He joined the Twins as they chased the American League pennant but only got into 23 games, hitting .236 with one homer.

He didn’t play in the 1965 World Series, even though he was with the team before the August 31 cutoff. Commissioner Ford Frick let Minnesota swap him out for injured pitcher Camilo Pascual on the Series roster.

Teams Played For:

• Minnesota Twins (1965-1967)
• New York Yankees (1968)
• Los Angeles Dodgers (1969-1970)
• Milwaukee Brewers (1971)
• California Angels (1972)
• Boston Red Sox (1972)
• Cincinnati Reds (1973-1974)

Notable Seasons and Career Milestones

Kosco enjoyed his best season in 1969 with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He played 109 games and hit .248 with 19 home runs and 74 RBIs.

Yankee Stadium’s deep outfield kept his power numbers down in 1968, even though he still hit 16 home runs. That year with the Yankees was his first shot at a full-time role, and he made the most of it—131 games, 16 homers, 59 RBIs.

Kosco once said putting on the Yankee uniform was a thrill, especially getting to play alongside Mickey Mantle every day.

The Yankees shipped him to Los Angeles after 1968. Manager Ralph Houk believed Kosco’s warning-track drives would finally clear the fence in a more hitter-friendly park.

Kosco remembered broadcaster Jerry Coleman telling him he had hit 24 balls to the warning track in left center by the All-Star break.

He only made the postseason once, with Cincinnati in the 1973 National League Championship Series against the New York Mets. He notched three singles in 10 at-bats, but the Reds lost the series three games to two.

Positions Played and Playing Style

Kosco bounced around the field, mostly as an outfielder, but he also put in time at first and third base. At 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, he fit right in at the corners.

During his productive 1969 season with the Dodgers, he logged 74 games in right field and 40 in left. His ability to play multiple spots gave teams flexibility.

Kosco hit and threw right-handed, but he actually started as a switch-hitter in the minors. Manager Vern Morgan of the Bismarck-Mandan Pards convinced him to stick to the right side in 1964, which turned out to be a good move for his career.

He focused on power more than average, as his .236 career batting average and 73 home runs in 658 games show. Teams valued that pop, whether he started or came off the bench.

Major League Teams and Career Progression

Andy Kosco suited up for seven major league teams from 1965 to 1974. He started out with the Minnesota Twins, got his first taste of pennant fever, and then moved on to the Yankees, Dodgers, and four more clubs.

Minnesota Twins Beginnings

Kosco debuted for the Minnesota Twins on August 13, 1965, at Cleveland. He grounded out pinch-hitting for Garry Roggenburk.

The following day, he got his first start and made it count—first hit, first homer, and a 1-for-4 day in right field.

He joined the Twins as they pushed for the pennant. The team had a solid eight-game lead over Cleveland when he showed up in August.

1965 Season Stats:

• Games: 23
• Batting Average: .236
• Home Runs: 1

Even though he was with the Twins before the August 31 cutoff, Kosco didn’t get to play in the World Series. The team dropped him from the roster when Commissioner Ford Frick gave them permission to add injured pitcher Camilo Pascual.

Kosco came back to the Twins in 1966 but didn’t see much action. With Tony Oliva, Jimmie Hall, and Bob Allison in the outfield, Kosco only played 57 games, hitting two homers and driving in 13 runs.

Impact With the New York Yankees

The New York Yankees grabbed Kosco in the Rule 5 draft after the Oakland A’s bought his contract from Minnesota. The 1968 Yankees weren’t exactly world-beaters, finishing fifth with an 83-79 record.

Oddly enough, the team’s struggles gave Kosco a chance to play. He responded with his best numbers yet.

1968 Yankees Performance:

• Games: 131
• Batting Average: .240
• Home Runs: 16
• RBIs: 59

Kosco loved playing for the Yankees, even if the team wasn’t winning much. “You cannot imagine the thrill it is to put on a Yankee uniform and play in Yankee Stadium,” he once said.

He looked up to Mickey Mantle, calling him “the most courageous man I have ever seen.” Sharing a clubhouse with Mantle made the whole experience special.

After the season, the Yankees traded Kosco to the Dodgers for pitcher Mike Kekich. Manager Ralph Houk figured Kosco would hit more homers in a smaller ballpark.

Years With the Los Angeles Dodgers

Ralph Houk’s hunch paid off in 1969. Kosco thrived in his first Dodgers season, putting up career-best numbers in a park that didn’t swallow fly balls.

1969 Dodgers Statistics:

• Games: 109 (74 in right field, 40 in left field)
• Batting Average: .248
• Home Runs: 19
• RBIs: 74

Yankee Stadium’s deep outfield had hurt his power. Yankees broadcaster Jerry Coleman once told Kosco he’d hit 24 balls to the warning track in left-center by the All-Star break in 1968.

Things got tougher in his second year with the Dodgers. Willie Crawford took over in the outfield, so Kosco only played 74 games in 1970.

1970 Performance Decline:

• Batting Average: .228
• Home Runs: 8
• RBIs: 27

After 1970, the Dodgers started going younger and traded Kosco to the Milwaukee Brewers for pitcher Al Downing.

Final Seasons: Milwaukee Brewers, California Angels, Boston Red Sox, and Cincinnati Reds

Kosco spent his last four seasons bouncing around teams. He played 98 games for Milwaukee in 1971, then landed with the California Angels and Boston Red Sox in 1972.

He wrapped up his MLB career with the Cincinnati Reds in 1973 and 1974. That stint finally gave him a taste of the postseason beyond his brief time with the Twins.

1971-1974 Combined Stats:

• Games: 244
• Batting Average: .237
• Home Runs: 28
• RBIs: 84

Kosco’s only playoff action came in the 1973 National League Championship Series against the New York Mets. He picked up three singles in ten at-bats, but the Mets won the series.

He seemed to take all the team changes in stride. “I think you make an adjustment,” he said. “As long as you’re playing in the major leagues, to me at that time it was immaterial who I played with or for.”

Kosco’s big league days ended after the 1974 season. He spent 1975 with the Toledo Mud Hens, wrapping up his pro baseball story in the Philadelphia Phillies’ Triple-A system.

Statistical Highlights and Achievements

Andy Kosco finished with a .236 career batting average, 73 home runs, and 267 RBIs across 658 major league games. He showed his value by playing multiple positions, mostly as an outfielder and first baseman for seven different teams.

Career Batting and Fielding Stats

Kosco’s ten-year career ran from 1965 to 1974. He collected 464 hits and scored 204 runs.

His stats show a player who brought steady power, even if his average was modest. Kosco’s best offensive year came in 1969 with the Dodgers—19 home runs, 74 RBIs, and a .248 average in 109 games.

In 1968 with the Yankees, he hit 16 home runs and drove in 59 runs over 131 games. That season marked his highest game total.

Kosco built a reputation as a reliable fielder. His 6’3″ build and strong arm worked well in the outfield corners and at first base.

Position Breakdown: LF, 1B, RF

Kosco’s ability to play different positions made him valuable. He handled all three outfield spots and first base, switching around as teams needed.

Right field was his main spot, where he logged the most innings. His arm and range made him a good fit there. The Yankees and Dodgers used him a lot in right field during his best years.

Left field also saw plenty of Kosco. In 1969, he played 40 games in left field for the Dodgers. That flexibility helped managers mix and match lineups.

First base became an option later in his career. Teams liked that he could move between infield and outfield as needed, which probably helped him stick around longer.

Noteworthy Games and Performances

Kosco’s big league debut happened on August 13, 1965, at Cleveland Stadium. He pinch-hit for Garry Roggenburk and grounded out, but the next day brought his first hit and home run.

The 1973 National League Championship Series was his only taste of the postseason. He played for the Reds against the Mets, picking up three singles in ten at-bats in the five-game series. The Mets took the series.

Kosco’s 1969 season with the Dodgers included some clutch moments. Jerry Coleman pointed out that Kosco hit 24 balls to the warning track in left-center at Yankee Stadium by the All-Star break. Those would have been home runs in other parks.

He played his last major league game on July 30, 1974, against Houston. He didn’t get an official at-bat, and that was it for his MLB career at age 32.

Retirement and Legacy After 1974

Andy Kosco wrapped up his professional baseball career in 1974. A broken wrist and personal tragedy really pushed him to leave the game behind.

He spent a decade bouncing between seven major league teams, earning a reputation as a reliable player who could handle constant change.

Circumstances of Retirement

Kosco played his final season for the Cincinnati Reds in 1974, but he stuck around in the minors through 1975. When he broke his wrist with the Toledo Mud Hens, the injury hit his performance hard and sapped his motivation.

Losing his father around the same time made things even tougher. That personal loss, on top of his injury, drained his interest in baseball and nudged him to look for something new.

By 33, Kosco had suited up for seven major league teams. His last big league game happened on July 30, 1974, against the Houston Astros.

He finished with a .236 batting average, 73 home runs, and 267 RBIs in 658 games.

After hanging up his cleats, Kosco dove into education and business. He chipped away at a bachelor’s degree from Youngstown State University for 15 years as a part-time student, working in the admissions department along the way.

Reputation Among Peers and Fans

Kosco built a name for himself as a guy who could roll with the punches. He played for more organizations than most players back then, and people respected how he handled all those transitions.

Teammates and managers liked his upbeat attitude, even with all the roster shuffling. “I think you make an adjustment,” Kosco once said about moving from team to team. “As long as you’re playing in the major leagues, to me at that time it was immaterial who I played with or for.”

He especially cherished his stint with the New York Yankees. Playing alongside Mickey Mantle meant a lot to him, and he called Mantle “the most courageous man I have ever seen.”

People in baseball circles remembered Kosco as someone who squeezed every bit out of his opportunities. He wasn’t a star, but his grit in both baseball and education really showed his work ethic.

Personal Life and Physical Attributes

Andy Kosco grew up in Youngstown, Ohio, one of four kids in a tight-knit family. At 6 feet 3 inches and 207 pounds during his playing days, he definitely looked the part of a ballplayer.

Early Life and Background

Andrew John Kosco was born October 5, 1941, in Youngstown, Ohio. He was the third of four children to Andrew Kosco III and Minnie (Rotz) Kosco.

His dad ran a newsstand with his brother, and his mom stayed home with the kids. The Kosco family stayed deeply rooted in their Ohio community while Andy grew up.

Kosco’s athletic side came out early at Struthers High School. By senior year, he’d become a strapping 6-foot-3, 210-pound athlete who stood out in several sports.

He was nothing if not versatile. Colleges noticed—he got 44 football scholarship offers from places like Michigan State and Ohio State, plus 27 for basketball.

But baseball was where he really shined his senior year. He batted over .700 in 11 games, hit eight home runs, and averaged 14 strikeouts per game as a pitcher.

Physical Profile: Height and Weight

Kosco’s physical size helped him succeed in baseball. He stood 6 feet 3 inches tall and kept his playing weight at 207 pounds throughout his professional career.

His size gave him a real edge on the field. “I think I was blessed with a lot of size,” Kosco once said. “I ran well and threw well.”

That combination of height and weight gave him power at the plate. His frame helped him generate the bat speed he needed to hit home runs.

He also used his build to cover ground in the outfield and had the arm strength for several positions.

Life After Baseball

After retiring in 1974, Kosco and his high school sweetheart, Cathy—who he married in 1962—built a strong family together. They raised five children.

Two of his sons, Bryn and Dru, chased baseball dreams of their own and reached Triple-A. Bryn played for the Iowa Cubs in 1995 and 1996, while Dru had a brief stint with the Calgary Cannons in 1989.

Kosco kept pursuing his education with the same drive he showed as a player. He eventually earned his bachelor’s from Youngstown State after 15 years of part-time classes and working in admissions.

In the 1980s, he got into the insurance business with former major leaguer Nick Goulish. After Goulish passed away in 1984, Kosco kept the Goulish-Kosco Insurance Agency running with his sons.

Later on, Kosco took part in charity golf tournaments across the country with old teammates. He often said he felt grateful for his baseball career and family, once saying, “I was blessed to play as long as I did and have such a wonderful family.”

References and Further Resources

Baseball fans and researchers can dig up plenty of records on Andy Kosco’s career. There are loads of statistical databases and archives with details about his years in the majors from 1965 to 1974.

Retrosheet.org and Statistical Databases

Retrosheet.org is a go-to spot for detailed stats and game logs from Kosco’s era. The site covers his whole career with all seven teams.

Baseball-Reference.com breaks down his .236 career batting average, 73 home runs, and more. You’ll find fielding stats and game-by-game logs there too.

Key statistical resources include:

• Career batting averages by season
• Home run and RBI totals for each team
• Fielding percentages and defensive stats
• Minor league performance data

The Baseball Cube adds even more, tracking Kosco’s transactions and moves between teams and minor league stops.

How to Explore More About Andy Kosco

The Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) put together a detailed biographical profile of Kosco. You’ll find quotes from interviews and stories about his journey through seven major league organizations.

Baseball Almanac keeps game-by-game hitting logs from his last 1974 season. These records let you see how he performed each day with the Cincinnati Reds.

Research starting points:

• SABR biographical database
• Team media guides from the 1960s and 1970s
• Local newspaper archives from his playing cities
• Minor league record books

StatsCrew.com collects all his professional statistics. The site covers both major and minor league data from 1959 to 1975.