Joost became the Reds’ regular shortstop in 1941 and committed 45 errors. After his 45 errors in ’42 led the league, he was traded to the Braves. There, Joost suffered further ignominy in 1943, setting a record by hitting just .185, the lowest batting average ever for a player with 400 or more at-bats. He then retired voluntarily but gained a second life with the Athletics beginning in 1947. Though his hitting improved, he found a better way to reach base: walking. From 1947 through 1952, he walked more than 100 times a season, twice gaining more walks than hits. He was an All-Star in 1949 (reaching highs of 23 HR and 81 RBI), and again in ’52, after having led AL shortstops in putouts four times to tie the league record. Joost was the A’s manager in 1954 but led his untalented crew to a last-place finish.
