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Mike Matheny
MikeMathenyphotoday2013.jpg
Mike Matheny in 2013.
St. Louis Cardinals – No. 26
Catcher / Manager
Born: (1970-09-21) September 21, 1970 (age 44)
Columbus, Ohio
Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
April 7, 1994 for the Milwaukee Brewers
Last MLB appearance
May 31, 2006 for the San Francisco Giants
Career statistics
Batting average .239
Home runs 67
Runs batted in 443
Games managed 486
Win–loss record 275–211
Winning % .568
Teams

As player

As manager
Career highlights and awards
Matheny playing for the San Francisco Giants in 2006.

Michael Scott Matheny (born September 22, 1970) is an American former professional baseball catcher and the current manager of the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball (MLB), a position he has held since 2012.[1][2] A product of the University of Michigan, the Milwaukee Brewers selected Matheny in the eighth round of the 1991 MLB Draft. He made his MLB debut for the Brewers in 1994 and played until 2006. He also played for the Toronto Blue Jays, Cardinals, and San Francisco Giants during his thirteen-year catching career.

Though not a prodigious hitter, Matheny was considered one of the best defensive catchers of his era, winning four National League (NL) Rawlings Gold Glove Awards.[3][4] He is one of only three Major League catchers to catch at least 100 games in a single season without committing an error.[5] He also set a Giants team record for catcher's fielding percentage in a season at .999 in 2005. However, after receiving a pitch to his face early in his MLB player career and a series of foul balls off his mask, Matheny retired due to persisting concussion symptoms.

After his playing career, Matheny became a Little League Baseball coach. The Cardinals hired him as manager following the 2011 season in spite of having no previous coaching or managing experience at any professional baseball level. In each of his first three seasons, Matheny led the club to at least 88 wins and the postseason. He also led the Cardinals to the National League Championship Series each time, becoming the fifth manager in MLB history to do so. The Cardinals won the 2013 NL pennant, only to fall to the Boston Red Sox in the World Series.[6]

Early life and amateur career[edit]

Matheny grew up in Reynoldsburg, Ohio, just minutes from the city of Columbus. He graduated from Reynoldsburg High School, where he captained the baseball and football teams.[2] Receiving little attention from nearby Ohio State University, University of Michigan (UM) coach Bud Middaugh offered him a scholarship to attend UM.[7]

Because of his defensive and throwing skills, Matheny drew the notice of major league scouts while in high school. The Toronto Blue Jays drafted him in the 31st round of the 1988 Major League Baseball Draft but waited two days until after the draft ended to inform Matheny they had chosen him. At first, they refused to disclose to him in which round they selected him.[7]

Two days before he was due to attend his first class, Blue Jays general manager Pat Gillick appeared at Matheny's home to convince him to sign. Gillick was ready to offer a deal normally reserved for second-round picks. During that time, teams held the right to negotiate with their draft picks until the moment they entered their first classroom of the following academic year. The Blue Jays constantly called Matheny until the morning of his first class, hoping he would sign.[7]

Confounded by the Blue Jays' overtures, Matheny was convinced that he would not be a very good professional player at that point, so he chose to attend college instead. Prior to proceeding to his first class, he called the Blue Jays from his dormitory room to inform them that he decided to attend the University of Michigan. At UM, Matheny co-captained the Wolverines baseball team.[8][9] He was a member of the 1989 Connie Mack championship team.[2]

Playing career (1991–2006)[edit]

Minor leagues, Milwaukee Brewers and Toronto Blue Jays (1991–99)[edit]

The Milwaukee Brewers selected Matheny in the eighth round of the 1991 Major League Baseball Draft and he spent three years climbing the minor league system.[10][11] He made his major league debut with the Brewers on April 7, 1994 at 23; he became their starting catcher early in the next season.[1][12]

During a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on May 26, 1998, Matheny was batting in the bottom of the ninth when he took a pitch from Rich Loiselle off his face. Remaining upright, Matheny placed his hand on his hip as Pirates catcher Jason Kendall and home plate umpire Jerry Crawford motioned ecstatically for the Brewers trainers. He walked off the field as he spit out a mouthful of blood.[13] At the end of that season, he became eligible for salary arbitration and the Brewers granted him free agency a few months later.[14]

Ten years after they drafted him, the Toronto Blue Jays signed on December 23, 1998, for the 1999 season. He served as Darrin Fletcher's understudy. Gillick had resigned in 1994, however. Toronto released him after the season, and he signed with the St. Louis Cardinals on December 15, 1999.

St. Louis Cardinals (2000–04)[edit]

Matheny barely made the Cardinals roster after the spring training session, but went on to earn the starting catcher's role in the 2000 season.[15] He posted a career-high .261 batting average and provided exceptional defense for the Cardinals, with a .993 fielding percentage and throwing out 53% of would-be base stealers, well above the league average of 32%.[16] Matheny helped the Cardinals improve from their fourth-place finish in 1999 to capturing the National League Central Division title, and claimed his first Gold Glove award in the process.[17] After the season, the Cardinals signed him to a three-year, $9-million contract.[15]

After teammate Darryl Kile's sudden death in the summer of 2002, Matheny showed that he was "an inspirational leader," helping the team to cope and make it to the National League Championship Series. After the 2003 season, the St. Louis and Houston chapters of the BBWAA voted for Matheny as the inaugural winner of an award established in Kile's honor.[2]

Bolstering his growing reputation as a top defensive catcher, Matheny again won Gold Gloves with the Cardinals in 2003 and 2004. His defensive contributions helped St. Louis reach the postseason in four of his five years with the team, including claiming the National League pennant in 2004.[3][18] Between August 1, 2002 and August 4, 2004, Matheny played in 252 games without committing an error, establishing a new Major League record for catchers.[5]

Matheny set another Major League record for catchers in 2004 by fielding 1,565 consecutive chances without an error.[5] During his playing days in a Cardinal uniform, Matheny caught 611 games, accumulating 4,938.1 innings and committing just 14 errors.[2] His .997 fielding percentage leads all catchers who have caught at least 2,000 innings for St. Louis.[19]

San Francisco Giants (2005–06)[edit]

Matheny signed a three-year contract with the San Francisco Giants on December 13, 2004. The next season, he displayed a rare power surge, amassing career-highs with 13 home runs, 34 doubles, a .406 slugging percentage and 59 runs batted in (RBIs). Matheny continued his defensive excellence, compiling a team-record .999 fielding percentage and leading National League catchers with 13 double plays, 77 assists and 39 would-be base-stealers caught stealing, earning his fourth Gold Glove.[1][2] He also took home the Willie Mac Award that year, accorded annually to a San Francisco Giant for spirit and leadership.[20]

Matheny landed on the disabled list on May 31, 2006 after a series of foul balls caromed off his mask, resulting in a serious concussion.[21] In July, the Giants announced that he would not return for the remainder of the season and that his career status was in doubt. MLB.com's Giants beat writer, Rich Draper, articulated that Matheny's career was likely over due to continued struggles with post-concussion syndrome.[22]

Retirement and career statistics[edit]

On February 1, 2007, Matheny announced his retirement from Major League Baseball due to on-going symptoms of post-concussion syndrome.[5] Shortly thereafter, Matheny became a baseball mentor for Protégé Sports and filming some catching tips and drills for the Scottsdale-based company.

In his thirteen-year major league career, Matheny played in 1,305 games, accumulating 925 hits in 3,877 at bats for a .239 career batting average along with 67 home runs, 443 RBIs and an on-base percentage of .293.[1] He led National League catchers twice in fielding percentage and ended his career with a .994 average, which was 4 points above the league average during his playing career.[1] His .994 career fielding percentage ranks tenth all-time among Major League catchers.[23] Matheny also twice led National League catchers in baserunners caught stealing.[1]

Managerial career (2012–present)[edit]

Matheny as manager of the Cardinals.
Matheny presents lineup card.

On January 24, 2008, Matheny returned to the St. Louis Cardinals organization as a special adviser for the first two weeks of spring training. The Cardinals announced him as the new manager on November 14, 2011, following Tony La Russa's retirement, making him the youngest manager in Major League Baseball.[24] The move was seen as unexpected as Matheny had no prior managing or coaching experience in professional baseball besides that as a minor league instructor and was taking over a team that had just won the World Series. His other prior coaching experience included Little League Baseball. His competition included Terry Francona, Ryne Sandberg, José Oquendo, Chris Maloney and Joe McEwing.[25]

On April 4, 2012, Matheny won in his managerial début against the Miami Marlins in the first game of their new ballpark.[26] Twenty days later, Matheny was ejected from a game for the first time for arguing a pivotal safe/out call by umpire Bill Welke in the bottom of the 10th inning of a 3-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs.[27]

In another contest against the Marlins later that season, a bungled double switch left Matheny with only pitchers available on the bench to pinch hit in extra innings. Incidentally, that pitcher catalyzed a St. Louis victory in his role as a batter. With the score tied 6–6 in the bottom of the ninth inning at Marlins Park on June 25, Matheny presented the action to home plate umpire Bob Davidson to place relief pitcher Víctor Marte in the game for fellow pitcher Sam Freeman. Simultaneously, infielder Tyler Greene substituted for third baseman David Freese, originally batting in the seventh spot in the lineup. Matheny assigned Greene to bat ninth – the order in the lineup which Freeman previously occupied – and play second base. The second baseman already in the game, Daniel Descalso, shifted to third base. Matheny showed Davidson these actions on the lineup card, and, with Davidson looking on, wrote "5" (used to designate the position of the third baseman) next to Descalso's name.

When Davidson conveyed the changes to Marlins manager Ozzie Guillén, a communication error transpired. After Marte faced one batter, Guillén vaulted from the Marlins dugout to argue that Marte and first baseman Allen Craig, the number five hitter, "couldn't be on the field at the same time." Despite his effort to oppose Guillén's protest, Davidson ruled for Matheny to remove Craig. He substituted Tony Cruz at first base, erasing two of the Cardinals' top hitters, Craig and Freese, from the game.[28] In the top of the tenth, Marte was due in Craig's fifth spot. With no regular batters remaining, Matheny chose a former college outfielder to bat for Marte, rookie pitcher Joe Kelly. The Cardinals had gained the lead, 7–6, at this point and Kelly batted with the bases loaded and two outs. He beat a ground ball for an infield hit that scored a run – his first major league hit and RBI – and put the Cardinals up 8–6. This run proved to be crucial insurance as Miami's Omar Infante scored on a John Buck single in the bottom of the tenth. Nevertheless, Jason Motte, Marte's replacement, closed it out for the 8–7 win.[29][30][31]

Matheny's first season as Cardinals manager was an overall success, finishing the regular season with an 88–74 record en route to capturing the National League wild-card game and qualifying for the postseason. However, the Cardinals fell to the Giants in the NLCS.[32]

On February 14, 2013, the Cardinals agreed to pick up his 2014 option.[33] Matheny exceeded the success of his first managerial season by finishing 2013 with a 97–65 record, winning the National League Central division title and the best regular-season record in the National League. The Cardinals first defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 3–2 in the 2013 NLDS and then the Los Angeles Dodgers 4–2 in the NLCS before losing the World Series to the Boston Red Sox in six games. In a season that St. Louis lost four key players to season-ending injuries – including Chris Carpenter, Rafael Furcal, Jaime García and Jason Motte – rookies comprised half of the World Series pitching staff.[34] On November 20, 2013, the Cardinals extended his contract for three more years through 2017.[35]

Leadership and skills profile[edit]

Because the Cardinals had hired Matheny as manager following the 2011 season, questions surfaced as to whether this personnel move had been a savvy one, particularly because he succeeded a World Series-winning manager of 33 years in La Russa. Matheny had never been a full-time coach or manager in any capacity in professional baseball. However, he was hired because of his ties to the organization during his playing days, as well as for intangible qualities such as his presence as a leader. He became known as one who lends support rather than lists his players' flaws, especially with the media. Fans and media have questioned his tactical skills, but, due to his experience playing a position (catcher) that imputes the requirement for leadership, it further increased his potential as an effective managerial figure.[36]

However, with the success of his first two seasons, it became apparent Matheny was a good choice to manage the Cardinals. Said former Cardinal and veteran Lance Berkman, "People make a big deal out of not having coached or managed. ... You can take a guy with no people skills, no leadership ability, let him manage in the minor leagues for 20 years, and he'll never be ready to manage at the major league level. And you can take a guy that has all of the intangibles, put him in the big leagues, and he can be a Hall of Fame manager."[37]

Matheny subscribes to the theory of servant leadership, one central tenet of which is to be accessible, and to enable one's subordinates to flourish by setting an example and inspiring rather than through scolding them.[36] In one of his blogs, Matheny posed a question to parents of youth baseball players about whether yelling at their children was helping them to improve.[38] Well before becoming manager, Matheny queried corporate executives not connected with baseball on leadership topics. Matheny is also known to regularly stay in contact with his players.[36]

The Cardinals' hiring of Matheny - a former catcher lacking in professional managing or coaching experience, but one whose leadership qualities had long been apparent – was repeatedly regarded as a reference point for the Detroit Tigers' hiring of Brad Ausmus for their managerial position late in 2013. Similarly, Ausmus replaced a legendary manager in Jim Leyland.[39][40][41][42]

Awards and honors[edit]

Personal[edit]

Just after phoning the Blue Jays to inform them of his decision to attend UM, Matheny walked outside of his dormitory under a large pigeon that defecated on his head and shoulders, necessitating for him to clean up and change. This event caused him to be 20 minutes late to his first class. It was during this class that he met his future wife, Kristen.[7] Kristen Matheny is a former field hockey player at Michigan. The couple have five children: one daughter, Katie, and four sons, Michael "Tate", Luke, Jacob and Blaise. Matheny majored in sports management and communications with an emphasis in Spanish.[43] Matheny regularly chronicles his life experiences and maintains a blog of which topics includes leadership and changing the culture of youth sports.[36][44]

Matheny is a Christian. Matheny has spoken about his faith saying, "... Jesus Christ is at the center of my life. [My faith is] all that I am, every day, every decision that I make."[45]

Charity work[edit]

Matheny organized and created the Catch-22 charity (named for his playing position and uniform number) which donated tickets for Cardinals games between 2002 and 2004. In 2005, Matheny opened a "Catch 22" field at the Chesterfield Valley Athletic complex in Chesterfield, Missouri.[2] The field has a completely flat and firm rubber surface and other features to allow children with a wide array of physical and mental handicaps to participate. [2][46]

Real estate ventures[edit]

In the aftermath of unprofitable real estate transactions, Matheny is heavily in debt. In 2005, Matheny had originally founded MPD Partnership with two indoor soccer players, Daryl Doran and Brett Phillips. This venture proved successful as they purchased a block of the WingHaven Develop in St. Charles and gained a $2.4 million profit after six months. Doran separated from the partnership to start a gym. Matheny and Phillips then took the income to secure an $11.8 million loan for an eleven-acre tract near interstate 64.[47] He lost a 17-room house in Wildwood, Missouri, following insolvency on two commercial plots in nearby Chesterfield Valley. These plots did not sustain tenants and the value deflated after the financial crisis of 2007–08. His debts exceed $4 million, and the amount of liability depended on the outcome of lawsuits involving the defaulted loans.[48] Matheny's attorney, Robert Blitz, is handling a similar case: Fischer and Frichtel, a homebuilder who also defaulted on assets after sustaining losses over the same time period, contend that they should not be fully liable for what is termed as "deflationary debt." The St. Louis appellate court deferred the case to the Supreme Court of Missouri.[49] In January, 2013, a circuit court ruling determined that Matheny parternship owed The Business Bank of St. Louis $4.4 million despite economic conditions and the bank's decision to stop loaning money to Matheny.[47]

Autograph style[edit]

Matheny signs most of his autographs with a verse from the Christian Bible. Under his name, he includes either "John 3:16" or "John 3:17."[50]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Mike Matheny statistics and history". Baseball-reference.com. Retrieved January 12, 2012. 
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Managers and coaches: Mike Matheny". stlous.cardinals.mlb.com. Retrieved August 17, 2013. 
  3. ^ a b Vass, George (May 2005). For Catchers, The Name of the Game is Defense. Baseball Digest. Retrieved 12 January 2012. 
  4. ^ "Sports Illustrated Players' Poll: Who is the best defensive catcher in the major leagues?". Sports Illustrated. May 30, 2005. Retrieved April 3, 2012. 
  5. ^ a b c d Giants Press Release (February 1, 2007). "Giants catcher Mike Matheny announces retirement". mlb.com. Retrieved April 4, 2012. 
  6. ^ Petrella, Steve. "With postseason clinched, Cards head to Wrigley". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media, LP. Retrieved 7 October 2014. 
  7. ^ a b c d Wasserman, Daniel (June 5, 2011). "Trading in blue for gold: Mike Matheny's path to and from Michigan". The Michigan Daily. Retrieved January 26, 2014. 
  8. ^ Olsen, Drew (April 30, 1997). "Matheny makes the plays: Catcher's hit, tag key in close victory". The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. p. 8. Retrieved April 4, 2012. 
  9. ^ "Mike Matheny". The Encyclopedia of Baseball Catchers. Retrieved April 4, 2012. 
  10. ^ "1991 Major League Baseball Draft 8th Round". thebaseballcube.com. Retrieved January 12, 2012. 
  11. ^ "Mike Matheny minor league statistics". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved April 4, 2012. 
  12. ^ "1995 Mike Matheny batting log". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved April 4, 2012. 
  13. ^ Cosentino, Dom (October 23, 2013). "That time Mike Matheny took a fastball to the face and barely flinched". Deadspin. Retrieved January 25, 2014. 
  14. ^ Haudricourt, Tom (December 11, 1998). "Bando heading to meetings in search of pitching help". The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. p. 8. Retrieved April 4, 2012. 
  15. ^ a b "Matheny Signs 3-Year Extension Worth Around $9 Million". nl.newsbank.com. Retrieved April 4, 2012. 
  16. ^ "Mike Matheny fielding statistics". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved 4 April 2012. 
  17. ^ "2000 Gold Glove Award winners". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved April 4, 2012. 
  18. ^ Johnson, Chuck (October 22, 2004). "Cardinals win NLCS, advance to World Series". USA Today. Retrieved August 14, 2013. 
  19. ^ "St. Louis Cardinals leaderboards ›› catchers ›› fielding statistics, Fielding percentage". Fangraphs Baseball. Retrieved December 30, 2013. 
  20. ^ "Willie Mac Award Winners". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved January 12, 2012. 
  21. ^ Shea, John (February 2, 2007). "Matheny knows it's time to quit: Catcher felled by concussions". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved August 14, 2013. 
  22. ^ Giants mailbag: Steep price for Zito? MLB.com
  23. ^ "Career Leaders & Records for Fielding Percentage as Catcher". Baseball-reference.com. Retrieved 3 April 2012. 
  24. ^ Strauss, Joe (November 14, 2011). "Cards hire Matheny as manager". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved November 14, 2011. 
  25. ^ Associated Press (November 14, 2011). "St. Louis Cardinals name Mike Matheny new manager". ESPN. Retrieved December 23, 2013. 
  26. ^ Langosch, Jenifer. "Matheny doesn't have to break sweat in first win". Retrieved April 5, 2012. 
  27. ^ "Cubs win in 10 to end Cards' run of 13 straight winning series". Retrieved April 25, 2012. 
  28. ^ Goold, Derrick (June 26, 2012). "Lineup card confusion nearly burns Cardinals". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved November 7, 2013. 
  29. ^ Goold, Derrick (June 26, 2012). "Cards win a wild one in Miami". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved November 7, 2013. 
  30. ^ "St. Louis Cardinals vs. Miami Marlins box score". ESPN.com. June 25, 2013. Retrieved November 7, 2013. 
  31. ^ "St. Louis Cardinals vs. Miami Marlins play by play". ESPN.com. June 25, 2012. Retrieved November 7, 2013. 
  32. ^ a b "Mike Matheny managerial record". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved January 11, 2014. 
  33. ^ Langosch, Jenifer (February 14, 2013). "Cards extend Mozeliak, pick up Matheny's option". MLB.com. 
  34. ^ Bauman, Mike (November 20, 2013). "Extending Mike Matheny's contract is a St. Louis Cardinals no-brainer". MLB.com. 
  35. ^ Nowak, Joey (November 20, 2013). "Cardinals extend manager Mike Matheny's contract through 2017 season". MLB.com. 
  36. ^ a b c d McGregor, Jena (October 25, 2013). "The leadership smarts of Mike Matheny". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 11, 2014. 
  37. ^ Nightengale, Bob (April 16, 2012). "Albert Pujols, Tony La Russa gone, but Cardinals flourish". USA Today. Retrieved February 27, 2014. 
  38. ^ McDonald, Anna (May 3, 2013). "The leadership smarts of Mike Matheny". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 11, 2014. 
  39. ^ Lowe, John (March 4, 2014). "Mike Matheny blazed a trail for Detroit Tigers' Brad Ausmus". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved March 8, 2014. 
  40. ^ Berry, Adam (March 3, 2014). "Brad Ausmus credits Mike Matheny with opportunity to manage". MLB.com. Retrieved March 8, 2014. 
  41. ^ Mensching, Kurt (March 3, 2014). "Tigers' Brad Ausmus already looks the part of a season manager". The Detroit News. Retrieved March 8, 2014. 
  42. ^ Catania, Jason (November 3, 2013). "Brad Ausmus is the right man to lead the Tigers to elusive World Series title". Bleacher Report. Retrieved March 8, 2014. 
  43. ^ "About Mike Matheny". mikematheny.com. Retrieved January 11, 2014. 
  44. ^ Calcaterra, Craig (March 18, 2013). "Mike Matheny has a blog dedicated to changing the culture of youth sports". NBC Hardball Times. Retrieved December 2, 2013. 
  45. ^ "St. Louis Cardinals Bring Christian Faith on Baseball Field". 
  46. ^ Nolen, Casey. "Matheny loved for his work off the field". KSDK. 
  47. ^ a b Hunn, David (January 19, 2013). "Cardinals manager Mike Matheny owes millions after losing legal fight". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved December 2, 2013. 
  48. ^ Pollout, Matthew (November 19, 2011). "New Cardinals manager lost his dreamhouse, faces lawsuit". NBC Sports. 
  49. ^ Wagman, Jake (November 20, 2011). "Matheny lost his home in legal fight with bank over business". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 
  50. ^ "Special offer: Mike Matheny Cardinals '1st Win' Marlins Park". Big League Baseballs Forums. June 7, 2012. Retrieved August 14, 2013. BigLeague Moderator: 'Mr. Matheny signs all items with some form of scripture reference inscription, I'm told.' 

External links[edit]

St. Louis Cardinals current roster
Active roster
Inactive roster
Disabled list
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Defunct teams
source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150528030542/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Matheny

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