Career
Primarily a second baseman and shortstop, the right-handed hitting and throwing Krol never reached the Major Leagues during his playing career (1954-1966). The native of Chicago, Illinois, spent most of that period in the Saint Louis Cardinals farm system, and became a playing manager in 1966 with the Rock Hill, South Carolina, franchise of the Class A Western Carolinas League. He served on the Redbirds" staff through 1980 and twice served as interim manager (in 1978 and 1980), winning one game and losing two.
Krol returned to the Cardinals as manager of the Triple-A Louisville Redbirds in 1992-1993.
He died at age 57 of cancer in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The Padres created the Jack Krol Award, which annually honors the club"s top player development personnel, in his memory.