"'Oats' came to the Browns from the White Sox in November of 1951. His career started at El Paso in '47 when Joe was only 18. He moved up to San Jose in '48, Oneonta in '49 and, hitting .283 for Birmingham of the Southern Association, he was brought up to the big leagues by the White Sox for the '51 season.
Joe was used in a utility role by the White Sox. He can play all infield positions."
-1952 Topps No. 286
"Joe did a nice job for the Athletics in 1953. He appeared in 111 games and hit .255. He drove in 57 runs with his 107 hits.
His nickname is 'Oats.' Joe was playing Legion and prep ball around his native San Francisco when he was spotted by scouts. He broke in with El Paso in 1947. He was with the Chicago White Sox in 1951 and the Browns got him in a big player deal in November of 1951. The Athletics acquired him for 1953."
-1954 Bowman No. 147
Joe got into 146 games for the Athletics, who were playing in Philadelphia in 1954. He hit .230 and had 124 hits to his credit for a total of 170 bases. These included 16 doubles, three triples and eight home runs. Joe batted in 40 runs and scored 49.
He began in baseball in 1947 and first came to the majors in 1951. He played with three American League teams in his first three years- Chicago in 1951, St. Louis in 1952 and Philadelphia in 1953."
-1955 Bowman No. 176
"Joe is a fine, sure-handed fielder. He went to the White Sox in 1951 after hitting .283 at Birmingham. He joined the A's in 1953."
-1956 Topps No. 161
"Having Joe patrol shortstop is like having a vacuum cleaner do the job. When a ground ball heads toward the left side of the infield, more than likely Joe'll be swooping over to make a clean pick up and fire the ball to first for the out.
Last season he placed among the top fielders in the league and was second in double plays."
-1957 Topps No. 44
"This is the sixth season that Joe will use his excellent defensive talents in the A's cause. Before joining K.C., he played briefly with the White Sox and Browns, who swapped him to the Athletics.
Joe was the top fielding shortstop in the American League last year. In a game in 1955, he made six hits in six times at bat."
-1958 Topps No. 62
1959 Season Highlights
-June 1: While with Kansas City, scores all A's runs in 3-1 win over Chicago.
-June 9: Gets three hits against New York.
-June 11: 3-for-5 against the Yankees.
-June 27: Drives in three runs against Washington.
-September 4: Raps out three hits against Detroit.
-December 13: Traded to the Yankees in big post-season deal.
"Joe led American League shortstops in fielding twice."
-1960 Topps No. 358
"DeMaestri is one of the finest fielders in baseball and, while not a heavy hitter, has come through often when hits were needed. Last winter Stengel urged the front office to acquire the services of DeMaestri to give his faltering Yankees the best possible infield security when needed.
He has played professional baseball since 1947, starting with El Paso, and moving up to San Jose, Oneonta, Birmingham, and then Chicago with the White Sox. He played one year with the old St. Louis Browns and then began his long tenure with the Athletics first in Philadelphia in 1953, then moving with the club to Kansas City, staying there until his move to New York during the past winter."
-1960 Leaf No. 139
