Lou Tost

Louis Eugene Tost

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 6' 0", Weight 175 lb.
• Debut April 20, 1942
• Final Game April 24, 1947
• Born June 1, 1911 in Cumberland, WA USA
• Died February 22, 1967 in Santa Clara, CA USA

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Biographical Information

Washington native Lou Tost spent sixteen active seasons in professional baseball from 1934 to 1952. Tost spent eight seasons (1934-1941) in the minor leagues before getting his chance at the Major Leagues.

On September 26, 1941 Lou was traded by the Hollywood Stars of the Pacific Coast League, to the Boston Braves, for a player to be named later, and Tost made his debut with the Braves on April 20, 1942. The left-hander went 10-10 while pitching 147 2/3 innings in 35 games with a 3.53 ERA. Lou opened the 1943 season with the Braves and appeared in three games, with an 0-1 record, before being inducted into the United States Military, where he served for the duration of World War II.

Returning from military service, he appeared in one game for the 1946 Braves and was sent to the Seattle Rainiers of the Pacific Coast League, where he went 16-13 with a .270 ERA in 33 appearances. On March 25, 1947 Lou was purchased by the Pittsburgh Pirates from the Braves, appeared in one game with a no-decision, and this ended his Major League career with a composite 10-11 record and a 3.65 ERA in 39 appearances.

The southpaw spent the balance of his pro career in the minor leagues, checking out in 1952 with a 126-122 record, while appearing in 454 games. Lou's best season appeared to come in 1949, at the age of 38, with the Oakland Oaks of the Pacific Coast League when he went 14-7 with a 4.00 ERA.

After baseball, Lou became a machinist at Westinghouse Electric Corporation for sixteen years. Tost died from lung cancer on February 21, 1967 at a rest home in Santa Clara, CA. He is buried at the Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, CA.