Sports Greats Who Died In 2025: MLB GM Walt Jocketty Died At 74

On April 25, former St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds general manager Walt Jocketty died after battling numerous health issues at 74.

Jokcketty was in the hospital for months following a lung transplant. Unfortunately, his health continued to decline, which led to his death.

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The chairman and CEO of the St. Louis Cardinals, Bill DeWitt Jr, commented on Jocketty’s unfortunate passing. “Walt was our first GM when we purchased the ball clip, and he helped to lead our baseball operations through some of the franchise’s most successful and memorable years,” DeWitt Jr. said.

Jocketty was hired as the Cardinals’ GM in October 1994. During his 13 seasons with the Cardinals, the team made the postseason six times, won two National League pennants, and claimed one World Series title.

After the 2007 season, Jocketty was fired due to organizational differences between Jocketty and ownership.

The Cincinnati Reds hired Jocketty in April 2008. During his time as the Reds’ GM, the team won the NL Central in 2010 and made the postseason three times.

After the 2015 season, he stepped down from the GM role and took over as president of baseball operations. He served this role until the end of the 2016 season.

He then took over a senior advisory role under the team’s ownership. He held this job until his passing.