Gene Karst

Eugene F. Karst

• School Saint Louis University

• Born June 25, 1906
• Died April 6, 2004 in Ladue, MO USA

Biographical Information

A young reporter from the St. Louis Globe-Democrat, Gene Karst was hired by Branch Rickey as the first public relations manager in baseball history.

Karst was a police reporter when he was hired by the Cardinals in 1931. His primary duty was to write game stories that would be syndicated to smaller papers in places that heard the Cardinals on the radio but did not have the funds to send a reporter to the game.

In addition, Karst would write copy for promotions at Sportsman's Park as well as setting up player interviews. On occasion, he would even transport players to interviews and commercial appearances for the club.

In 1935, Karst was hired by the Cincinnati Reds to promote their club. After World War II, Karst left baseball and worked for the State Department.

In retirement, he was the co-author (with Martin Jones Jr.) of Who's Who in Professional Baseball (ISBN 0870002201) which was published in 1973.