John Karst

John Gottlieb Karst
(Big Jack or King)

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 5' 11½", Weight 175 lb.
• School University of Pennsylvania
• Debut October 6, 1915
• Final Game October 6, 1915
• Born October 15, 1893 in Philadelphia, PA USA
• Died May 21, 1976 in Cape May Court House, NJ USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Infielder Jack Karst played one game in the majors but never made a plate appearance.

A Philadelphia, PA native who attended the University of Pennsylvania, Karst had a tryout with Connie Mack's Philadelphia Athletics in spring 1914 but instead played in the minors that year with the Portsmouth Truckers of the Virginia League. In May, he requested and received his release from Portsmouth.

Karst was signed by the Brooklyn Robins in 1915 but broke his leg in the spring while sliding into second base. He rejoined the club late in the season and made his big league debut on October 6th, facing the Philadelphia Phillies in the season's final game. He played third base for the last two innings of the game, helping to turn a double play in the 8th, but never got an at-bat. He briefly joined the Troy Trojans in 1916, but his baseball career soon ended due to lingering effects of his previous leg injury.

Related Sites

• Find-A-Grave Memorial for John Karst