Andy “Pudge” Kosco, a powerful right-handed hitter who broke into the major leagues with the Minnesota Twins during one of the franchise’s most formative eras, passed away on December 19, 2025. He was 84.
Born October 5, 1941, in Struthers, Ohio, Kosco was a gifted multi-sport athlete who turned down dozens of football and basketball scholarship offers to pursue professional baseball at age 17 signing as a free agent with the Detroit Tigers prior to the 1959 season. One scout who spent a lot of time tracking Kosco’s progress was Edwin “Cy” Williams of the Detroit Tigers.3 Williams began watching Kosco play baseball, football, and basketball around the Youngstown area when Andy was a high-school sophomore and followed him for the next couple of years. Eventually, Williams signed him right out of high school in June 1959 for what at that time was an enormous bonus of $62,500.
The Tigers assigned him to class D ball to start 1959 and he worked his way up to AAA briefly in 1963 where he struggled mightily. Then unexpectedly in June of 1964 the Tigers released him and the Twins quickly signed him and send him to class A ball for the remainder of 1964 . In 1965 the Twins assigned him to AAA Denver and started hitting like a man possessed, hitting .312 with 27 home runs and 116 RBI in 119 games leaving the Twins with no choice but to call him up in mid-August to join a club in the midst of its first great pennant chase. Kosco made his major league debut in Cleveland Stadium as a pinch-hitter and grounded out to second base in a Twins 3 to 1 loss. Kosco went on to play in 23 games but did not make the World Series roster.
Though Kosco appeared in only a handful of games that season, his arrival placed him inside one of the most iconic clubhouses in Twins history. He shared the field with Harmon Killebrew, Tony Oliva, Zoilo Versalles, Jim Kaat, and Mudcat Grant as Minnesota surged to its first American League pennant. For a young player breaking into the majors, it was a rare and unforgettable introduction to big league baseball.
Kosco spent parts of three seasons with the Twins (1965–67), serving as a corner outfielder and occasional first baseman. In 89 games for Minnesota, he hit .216 with 3 home runs and 23 RBI, showing flashes of the right-handed power that would later define his career. His opportunities were limited on a deep roster, but he was part of the early wave of young talent that helped shape the Twins’ competitive identity in the mid-1960s.
After leaving Minnesota when he was sold to the Oakland A’s in October of 1967, Kosco blossomed into a productive major league hitter, enjoying his best seasons with the 1968 New York Yankees and 1969 Los Angeles Dodgers. He played 10 MLB seasons overall with seven different major league teams, finishing with 73 home runs and a reputation as a dangerous bat off the bench and a steady presence at first base and in the outfield. His lone postseason appearance was in the 1973 NLCS with the Reds when they lost the series 3 games to 2.
One of the most enduring stories from his career came in 1968, when he replaced Mickey Mantle at first base at Fenway Park in Mantle’s final major league game, a moment Kosco cherished and often retold, and one documented in Mantle’s own book.
After retiring from baseball, Kosco returned to his hometown, built a successful career in the insurance business, earned a degree from Youngstown State University, and remained deeply connected to the game through Major League Baseball Players Alumni events and friendships with former teammates.
Kosco was an avid golfer, competing in countless local tournaments as well as tournaments across the U.S. with the Major League Baseball Players Alumni. He especially looked forward to spending the winter months in Florida golfing and hosting fun visits with his family.
Kosco is remembered in Minnesota as a small but meaningful part of the franchise’s early rise—a young hitter who stepped into the majors during a golden era and carried those memories with him for the rest of his life. You can read more about Andy Kosco and his baseball career by checking out his SABR Bio here.
He leaves behind his beloved wife, Cathy, and his five grateful children – Ranee Mannion and her husband Martin, Cheryl Kaltenback and her husband Jerry, Dru Kosco and his wife Nicole, Bryn Kosco and his wife Dianne, and Kerry Shannon and her husband Dan. His brother, William (Bill) Kosco and sister, Patricia (Penny) Yovich. Andy is preceded in death by his brother, Robert (Bob) Kosco. Andy’s grandchildren were the joy of his life and “Papa” will be greatly missed by them – Gabriell, Rachel, Andrew, Connor, Cole, Nolan, Chloe, Brady, Brooklyn, Bryan, Connor and Colten, along with many nieces and nephews.
Twinstrivia.com sends their condolences to the Kosco family, friends, and fans. Thank you for the memories Andy, RIP.
Visitation will take place on Friday, January 2, 2026, from 3:00 -6:00 PM at the Fox Funeral Home, 4700 Market St, Youngstown, OH 44512
A Mass of Christian Burial for Andy Kosco will be held on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Holy Family Church, 2729 Center Rd, Poland, OH 44514.