Fred Koenig
Encyclopedia
Fred Carl Koenig was an American
first baseman
and manager
in minor league baseball
and a coach
and farm system director at the Major League
level. A native of St. Louis, Missouri
, Koenig threw and batted right-handed and stood 6'3" (190 cm) and weighed 210 pounds (95 kg) in his playing days. He graduated from St. Louis' Central High School and attended the University of Illinois.
Koenig's baseball career began in 1951 with his hometown St. Louis Cardinals
as a member of the Hamilton Cardinals of the Class D PONY League. His career as a first baseman continued through 1961, but Koenig spent most of his career at the Class AA level, reaching Class AAA in 1959 for only 16 games and 49 at bats with the Omaha Cardinals
of the American Association
. In his best minor league campaign, with the 1954 Allentown Cardinals
of the Class A Eastern League, Koenig batted
.287 with 11 home runs and 83 runs batted in in 484 at-bats. He also led the league's first basemen in putouts and double plays and was selected to the Eastern League all-star team.
He became a manager in the Cardinal farm system in 1962, with the Winnipeg Goldeyes
of the Class C Northern League
. Switching to the California Angels
organization in 1965, he managed at the Rookie and Class A levels and won the 1968 Midwest League
championship at the helm of the Quad Cities Angels. Koenig then came to the major leagues as a coach for Angel skipper Lefty Phillips
for 1970-71.
After Phillips' firing in Anaheim at the close of , Koenig returned to the Cardinals for two seasons as a minor league manager, sandwiched around two seasons (1973-74) as the Redbirds' director of player development. He then was a major league coach for the Cardinals , Texas Rangers
(1977-82), Chicago Cubs
, and Cleveland Indians
. Koenig later worked in the Atlanta Braves
farm system as a roving coach and manager at the Rookie level. He died in Wagoner, Oklahoma
, at age 61.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
first baseman
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
and manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
in minor league baseball
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
and a coach
Coach (baseball)
In baseball, a number of coaches assist in the smooth functioning of a team. They are assistants to the manager, or head coach, who determines the lineup and decides how to substitute players during the game...
and farm system director at the Major League
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
level. A native of St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
, Koenig threw and batted right-handed and stood 6'3" (190 cm) and weighed 210 pounds (95 kg) in his playing days. He graduated from St. Louis' Central High School and attended the University of Illinois.
Koenig's baseball career began in 1951 with his hometown St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
as a member of the Hamilton Cardinals of the Class D PONY League. His career as a first baseman continued through 1961, but Koenig spent most of his career at the Class AA level, reaching Class AAA in 1959 for only 16 games and 49 at bats with the Omaha Cardinals
Omaha Cardinals
The Omaha Cardinals was the name of the minor league baseball club based in Omaha, Nebraska, USA, from 1947 through 1959. It played in the Class A Western League through 1954 and in the AAA American Association from 1955-59 as an affiliate of its major league namesake, the St...
of the American Association
American Association (20th century)
The American Association was a minor league baseball league at the Triple-A level of baseball in the United States from to and to . Together with the International League, it contested the Junior World Series which determined the championship team in minor league baseball, at least for the...
. In his best minor league campaign, with the 1954 Allentown Cardinals
Allentown Cardinals
The Allentown Cardinals were a minor league baseball team. Affiliated with the St. Louis Cardinals, they played in the Class B Interstate League between 1944 and 1952; then in the Class A Eastern League from 1954 to 1956....
of the Class A Eastern League, Koenig batted
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
.287 with 11 home runs and 83 runs batted in in 484 at-bats. He also led the league's first basemen in putouts and double plays and was selected to the Eastern League all-star team.
He became a manager in the Cardinal farm system in 1962, with the Winnipeg Goldeyes
Winnipeg Goldeyes
The Winnipeg Goldeyes are a professional baseball team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in Canada. The Goldeyes play in the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. From 1994 to 2010, the team was a member of the Northern League.The...
of the Class C Northern League
Northern League (baseball, 1902-71)
This article refers to the original incarnations of the Northern League, which operated between 1902 and 1971. For the more recent league, see Northern League ...
. Switching to the California Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
organization in 1965, he managed at the Rookie and Class A levels and won the 1968 Midwest League
Midwest League
The Midwest League is a Class-A minor league baseball league which operates in the Midwestern United States.-History:Six teams – the Belleville Stags, the Centralia Cubs, the Marion Indians, the Mattoon Indians or East Frankfort White Sox, the Mount Vernon Braves, and the West Frankfort...
championship at the helm of the Quad Cities Angels. Koenig then came to the major leagues as a coach for Angel skipper Lefty Phillips
Lefty Phillips
Harold Ross "Lefty" Phillips was an American coach, manager, scout and front office executive in Major League Baseball...
for 1970-71.
After Phillips' firing in Anaheim at the close of , Koenig returned to the Cardinals for two seasons as a minor league manager, sandwiched around two seasons (1973-74) as the Redbirds' director of player development. He then was a major league coach for the Cardinals , Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
(1977-82), Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
, and Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
. Koenig later worked in the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
farm system as a roving coach and manager at the Rookie level. He died in Wagoner, Oklahoma
Wagoner, Oklahoma
Wagoner is a city in Wagoner County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 7,669 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Wagoner County.-Geography:Wagoner is located at ....
, at age 61.