George Kissell, a member of the Cardinals organization for 68 years, was killed in a car accident last evening in Florida. The vehicle he was riding in, driven by his daughter, reportedly ran a red light and was struck broadside by another car.

Not many here will know him, but those who closely follow the Cardinals, as well as nearly every Cardinal player who donned a jersey in the last 60+ years will definitely know Mr. Kissell... as a minor league player and coach, big league coach and manger and one of the greatest teachers the game has ever seen, including as recently as this year... teaching fundamentals at the age of 88.

A true baseball lifer, Mr. Kissell will not only be missed by the Cardinals organization, but by all of baseball.

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/cardinals/story/C8A40753ED4823BC862574DC00170C66?OpenDocument

Thank you and the article was great. He was a treasure to all of baseball, a National Great, and maybe the last  living link to Branch Rickeys legacy. The National League will forever be in debt to him, and the Cardinal Organization has been blessed

Good article, although I never heard of him. This is not meant as a negative against him, but he must be an exception, not a rule, being in baseball for so many years never having played a major league game.

RIP, Mr. K.

There are many like him, from litle league, to high schol, through various college and minor league programs. They have helped countless pros, find their swing, develope feilding instincts and thowing arms. It is good when they are recognized.Yhese guys are not about sound bites when they say I DO IT FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME!

Right on, Muddy... there certainly are many like Mr. Kissell, those who simply love baseball and want to teach it the right way. As the article states, he was dubbed "The Professor" for his knowledge of the game and ability to transfer that knowledge to others.

I saw a short clip of him a few years ago on a local TV sportscast at spring training, showing a minor leaguer the fine art of bunting... and laying down one perfect bunt after another. Can you imagine, here's this 85 year old gentleman showing some youngster how to bunt, with all the enthusiasm he can muster, and doing it perfectly... priceless!