Mike Matheny

Mike Matheny
St. Louis Cardinals – No. 22
Catcher / Manager
Born: September 22, 1970 (1970-09-22) Reynoldsburg, 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
Hits	925
Runs batted in	443
Teams
As player Milwaukee Brewers (1994–1998) Toronto Blue Jays (1999) St. Louis Cardinals (2000–2004) San Francisco Giants (2005–2006) As manager St. Louis Cardinals (2012–present)
Career highlights and awards
4× Gold Glove Award winner (2000, 2003, 2004, 2005)

Michael Scott Matheny (born September 22, 1970 in Reynoldsburg, Ohio) is an American former professional baseball player and the current manager of the St. Louis Cardinals. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for four different teams during his thirteen year playing career. Although he wasn't a strong hitter as a player, Matheny was considered to be one of the best defensive catchers of his era, winning four National League Gold Glove Awards.

Playing career

Matheny was drafted in the 8th round of the 1991 Major League Baseball Draft out of the University of Michigan by the Milwaukee Brewers, with whom he made his major league debut in 1994. He played for the Brewers from 1994 to 1998, the Toronto Blue Jays in 1999, and the St. Louis Cardinals from 2000 to 2004. While playing for the Cardinals, Matheny won three Gold Glove Awards (2000, 2003, 2004) and went to the postseason in four of his five years with the team. He was signed by the San Francisco Giants to a three-year contract on December 13, 2004. Matheny won a Gold Glove Award in his first season for the Giants in 2005. He won the Willie Mac Award in 2005 for spirit and leadership.

Matheny went on the disabled list on May 31, 2006 after a series of foul balls caromed off his mask, resulting in a serious concussion. 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, said that Matheny's career was likely over due to his continued struggles with post-concussion syndrome.

Retirement

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

On January 24, 2008, it was reported that Matheny would return to the St. Louis Cardinals organization to act as a special adviser for the first two weeks of spring training.

Managerial career

He was announced as the new manager of the St. Louis Cardinals on November 14, 2011. He is currently the youngest manager in Major League Baseball.

Personal

He is married to wife Kristen, a former field hockey player at Michigan. The couple have 5 children: one daughter, Katie, and 4 sons, Michael "Tate", Luke, Jacob and Blaise.

In 2005, Matheny opened a "Catch 22" field in Chesterfield, Missouri. This field has a completely flat surface and is used for disabled children.

External links

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)