Oct 8, 2008 - 1:55 PM
0 shoutsTAMPA, Florida (Ticker) -- George Kissell, a member of the St. Louis Cardinals organization for nearly seven decades, died Tuesday night after being involved in an automobile accident the previous day. He was 88.
According to Tampa police Captain Sanfield Forseth, Kissell, his wife and daughter, Karolyn Kidwell, were involved in an accident when the daughter apparently ran a red light.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that Kissell's car was struck by another vehicle in the intersection. Kissell was taken to a Tampa hospital and had two operations before dying.
A family friend told the newspaper that Kissell's wife, Virginia Kissell, suffered a fractured pelvis. Kidwell was treated and released.
"The entire St. Louis Cardinals organization is deeply saddened today having learned of the unfortunate passing of George Kissell," Cardinals chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. said. "We will be forever grateful to George for having taught so many of our players the 'Cardinal Way' both on and off the field."
Kissell joined the Cardinals in 1940, when he was signed by Branch Rickey after a tryout in New York, and .served the organization in numerous capacities.
From 1946 to 1968, Kissell worked in the Cardinals' organization as a manager, coach, scout and minor league instructor. He was a member of the Cardinals' major league coaching staff from 1969 to 1975 and served as a special assistant to general manager Bing Devine in 1976.
In recent years, Kissell was an on-field instructor in spring training and held the official title of the Cardinals' senior field coordinator for player development.
According to the Post-Dispatch, Kissell's work with the Cardinals in recent seasons was limited to spring training because of his wife's deteriorating health.
During the 2005 All-Star Game in Detroit, Cardinals manager Tony La Russa - the National League skipper - had Kissell on his coaching staff.
