Joost was an integral part of an Athletics' infield that registered the still-unmatched feat of turning more than 200 double plays in three consecutive seasons, between 1949–51.

[2][3] One factor contributing to Joost's performance with the A's was his decision to wear eyeglasses on the field, which he had avoided earlier in his career because of the negative stereotype of athletes with eyewear at the time.

[4] Despite his low lifetime batting average, Joost had excellent patience at the plate, resulting in six straight seasons of 100 walks or more, and a career on-base percentage of .361.

Beset by limited finances and a virtually nonexistent farm system, the Mackmen could not compete with the Yankees, Indians and Red Sox.

Mack, the team's Hall of Fame patriarch and manager, retired at age 87 after a disastrous 1950 campaign in which the A's finished dead last in the majors with a 52-102 record.

Veteran Jimmy Dykes took the helm from 1951–53, and — thanks to the American League MVP, pitcher Bobby Shantz — sparked one last revival in 1952.

Joost continued his playing career as a utility infielder for the Red Sox in 1955, and in 1956 briefly managed the Pacific Coast League's San Francisco Seals, then the top BoSox farm club, in his hometown before leaving the game.