Former Cardinals Catcher Tom Nieto Dies at 65

Nieto helped lead the team to the 1985 World Series before later coaching for the Yankees and Mets.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 3:52pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a baseball game or match between the St. Louis Cardinals and Kansas City Royals, with the players and field broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes of color.The 1985 World Series matchup between the Cardinals and Royals is captured in a cubist, geometric style, reflecting the competitive tension and shifting perspectives of the classic baseball showdown.Kansas City Today

Tom Nieto, a former catcher for the St. Louis Cardinals who helped lead the team to the 1985 National League Championship, has died at the age of 65. Nieto spent the most time behind the plate for the Cardinals in 1985, playing in a total of 95 games in just his second year in the big leagues.

Why it matters

Nieto was a key member of the 1985 Cardinals team that made it to the World Series, where they ultimately lost to the Kansas City Royals. His passing marks the loss of an important figure in Cardinals history and the MLB community.

The details

Nieto was the backup to former All-Star catcher Darrell Porter for the 1985 Cardinals. In those 95 games, Nieto batted .225, collected 57 hits and 34 RBIs in 253 at-bats with 288 plate appearances. After his playing career, Nieto coached for both the New York Yankees and New York Mets at the minor league level, managing affiliates for the Cardinals, Twins and Yankees.

  • Nieto died at the end of March 2026.
  • The Cardinals made it to the 1985 World Series, where they lost to the Kansas City Royals in seven games.

The players

Tom Nieto

A former catcher for the St. Louis Cardinals who helped lead the team to the 1985 National League Championship.

Darrell Porter

The former All-Star catcher who was the starter for the 1985 Cardinals, with Nieto as the backup.

Jim Sundberg

The Kansas City Royals catcher who scored against Nieto in Game 5 of the 1985 World Series.

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What they’re saying

“On Friday, March 27th, my brother Tom passed on after a heart attack, leaving cherished memories in Florida with his family; his strength and resilience will continue to inspire us all.”

— Denise Nieto-Jackson, Tom Nieto's sister

The takeaway

Nieto's passing marks the loss of an important figure in Cardinals history and the MLB community, as he was a key member of the 1985 Cardinals team that made it to the World Series.