Mike Matheny

Lore & Background

From Reynoldsburg, Ohio, Matheny played college baseball for the University of Michigan and was selected by the Brewers in the eighth round of the 1991 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut as a member of the Milwaukee Brewers on April 7, 1994. Matheny established major league records among catchers for consecutive games played without committing an error (252), and consecutive chances fielded without an error (1,565). He is one of three catchers in major league history with an errorless season of at least 100 games, and in 2005, set a Giants single-season team record for catcher's fielding percentage at .999. Matheny made two World Series appearances, both with the Cardinals. He was a catcher in 2004 and a manager in 2013. He retired from playing in 2006 due to persisting symptoms of concussion, and has since become an advocate for its prevention and for improved catcher safety.

In Their Own Story

The July heat sat heavy over the upper deck of Kauffman Stadium as the Royals faced a midweek opponent. Matheny crouched low, the white of his chest protector catching the late-afternoon sun, his glove a practiced cradle for whatever the pitcher sent his way. The infield dirt was kicked up around his knees, and the crowd's murmur was a low, constant hum. He called the sign, a quick two-finger tap, and the pitcher nodded. The runner on second was a step off the bag. Matheny's eyes tracked the ball the instant it left the batter's bat, his body already coiling. The throw was a laser, the tag a whisper of leather on canvas. The umpire's hand went up. The dugout exhaled. Matheny stood, wiped his forehead with the back of his glove, and turned to the next pitch. Another inning. Another chance to hold the line for a team that was still finding its way.

Reader's Guide

After his playing career, Matheny coached Little League Baseball. The Cardinals hired him to manage after the 2011 season although he had no professional coaching or managerial experience. In 2012, the Cardinals were wild card winners, and from 2013–15, claimed three consecutive NL Central titles, including winning a career-best 100 games for Matheny in 2015. He became the first manager in MLB history to lead his team to the playoffs in each of his first four seasons and the fifth to a League Championship Series appearance in each of his first three, reaching the 2013 World Series where the Cardinals were defeated by the Boston Red Sox. In 2018, he became the fourth Cardinals manager to manage the club in 1,000 games. The Cardinals fired him during that season after missing the playoffs the two previous years. Matheny then managed the Kansas City Royals for three seasons but did not make the playoffs and was dismissed at the conclusion of the 2022 season.

Did You Know?

• Matheny set a major league record for catchers by playing 252 consecutive games without an error.
• He won four Gold Glove Awards during his playing career.
• Matheny was the first manager in MLB history to lead his team to the playoffs in each of his first four seasons.
• He retired from playing in 2006 due to concussion symptoms and became an advocate for catcher safety.