Keeping in mind that baseball is a game of statistics, a case could be made that Frank Kostro was the best hitter among those who played in Denver’s 38 seasons of Triple-A baseball.
Here are the facts. When the numbers put up by players who came through Denver from 1955 through 1992 were added up, Kostro had the most hits (516), the most doubles (101), the most sacrifice flies (24) and he tied for the most years played, six, with Bill Whitby and Bob Reece. Kostro’s time with the Denver Bears was 1960-62, 1966-67 and 1969. During that period, Kostro also played 266 games in the major leagues with the Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Angels and Minnesota Twins, earning a World Series ring in 1965 with the Twins.
“Denver always was a special place for me,” said Kostro, who has made Denver his home since 1962. “I run into former players all the time who say that Denver was their favorite place except for playing in the big leagues.”
When Kostro came to the Bears in 1960, Denver was in the American Association and was the Triple-A affiliate of the Tigers. When he returned in 1966, the Bears were playing in the Pacific Coast League and were in the farm system of the Twins. In 1969, it was back to the American Association, but still with the Twins.
Kostro shares the minor-league statistical prominence with a couple of other prominent names: Bo Osborne of the Tigers and Twins organizations, and Marv Throneberry of the New York Yankees’ farm system.
Throneberry, known as Marvelous Marv, had the most headlines, hitting Denver minor-league records of 118 home runs and 386 RBIs. He was second in total hits (477) and Osborne was third (456). Osborne ranks third in home runs (83) and second in RBIs (306).
Kostro’s case as the top hitter is highlighted by efficiency. He played in 32 fewer games than Osborne, 515 to 483, and he did his work in 89 fewer at-bats than Throneberry, 1,706 to 1,617.
During his three stints with the Bears, Kostro played for managers Charlie Metro, Frank Skaff and Cal Ermer. In 1960, with Metro at the helm and Kostro leading the team with 165 hits, 97 RBIs and a .321 average, the Bears won the American Association’s regular-season championship.
Even with the big numbers in the Bears’ and Denver Zephyrs’ record books (the Bears became the Zephyrs in 1985), Kostro’s biggest moment in baseball was getting to the big leagues in 1962. He played in 16 games that year for the Tigers.
Kostro completed his playing career in 1970, playing a year in Japan.
“I wanted to stay in the game another year,” Kostro said. “Looking back, it was a fun year. An interpreter traveled with me. Sadaharu Oh was their big player in those days.”
Oh is credited with 868 home runs during his career, a pro baseball record.
After baseball, Kostro turned his full attention to the business of extended warranty contracts. He remains active in baseball alumni activities.
When Kostro joined the Bears in 1960, the major leagues consisted of just 16 teams.
“It was a fight just to stay in the big leagues,” Kostro said. “I think I played every position but pitcher and catcher, trying to keep a roster spot. I wish I had gotten to play more, but I had a lot of friends who were very good players, who didn’t get to the big leagues at all.”
Kostro bio
Born: Aug. 4, 1937, in Windber, Pa.
High school: Forbes High School, Blough, Pa.
College: University of Michigan
Family: Wife Janet, sons John and Gregory
Hobby: Handball
Wish: He got his wish by reaching the big leagues.
