“Rest in Peace” – MLB World Left Heartbroken as Reds’ Ex-GM Passes Away at 74

In a world where front-office legends are rarer than a clean ninth inning, baseball just lost one of its finest. The architect behind the glory days of the Cardinals, the mastermind who left his fingerprints on the Reds and Athletics, has taken his final bow. The news hits harder than a fastball to the ribs — a true giant of the game has left us, and the sport feels a little smaller today.

The news is like a dagger to the heart. It was just reported by Bob Nightengale that Walt Jocketty, former GM of the Athletics, has passed away. He posted, “Awful news: Walt Jocketty, the fabulous GM of the Oakland Athletics, St. Louis Cardinals, and Cincinnati Reds, has died at the age of 74.”

Awful news: Walt Jocketty, the fabulous GM of the Oakland Athletics, St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds, has died at the age of 74.
Jocketty, one of the finest, nicest and genuine executives in all of baseball, has been battling serious health issues the past 2 years.

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) April 26, 2025

Jocketty, a Minnesota native, was also the general manager of the St. Louis Cardinals from 1994-2007. During his tenure, the Cardinals won the NL Central seven times and captured a World Series title. After parting ways with the Cardinals in 2007, he became a special advisor for the Cincinnati Reds.

His legacy, stitched into the fabric of three franchises, remains undeniable. Jocketty didn’t just build teams — he built dreams, and sometimes, nightmares for his rivals. Baseball just lost one of its sharpest architects, and somehow, the front office feels a little emptier today. If there’s a Hall of Fame for leaving owners smiling and fans in tears, Jocketty is already a first-ballot.

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