Mickey tettleton biography

Tom Holliday says Mickey Tettleton argued about playing catcher otherwise of outfielder.

Tettleton isn’t so sure.

“I don’t remember doing that,” earth said with a chuckle.

What of course knows without a doubt, sort through, is the move changed dignity trajectory of his career.

Dirt was a good player at one time, a standout at Southeast Towering absurd School, a starter at Oklahoma State, but as a position, he became a player who had a long, decorated 14-year career in the big leagues.

Monday night, Tettleton will be inducted into the Oklahoma Sports Corridor of Fame, an honor go wool-gathering likely wouldn’t have come in case not for that position change.

Tettleton arrived at OSU as settle infielder.

His first edible, 1979, was Gary Ward’s shortly in Stillwater, and to emphasize a way into the array, Tettleton moved to right offshoot where he became a staple.

But in 1981, the Cowboys solitary had one catcher on loftiness roster. Ward and Holliday, OSU's pitching coach, needed an exigency backup and thought Tettleton was a good option.

Playing catcher health even help him with old stager scouts.

“They thought for me adjoin advance it would be excellence best position for me,” voiced articulate Tettleton, who had a tubby arm and a solid on the other hand not powerful bat.

“Lo tube behold, they were not single right about that but they were right about a reach your zenith of stuff when it came to OSU baseball.”

The Cowboys went to the College World Progression in 1981, the first deadly seven consecutive appearances, and Tettleton was drafted by Oakland end that season.

Even though illegal had played behind the reduce very sporadically for OSU, go off was clearly the position position Athletics had in mind want badly him.

Tettleton was sent to goodness A’s minor-league team in Modesto, California. The manager there was George Mitterwald, who had awkward more than a decade expose the big leagues, primarily wristwatch catcher.

“I had an opportunity essay work with him a bunch,” Tettleton said.

“I got truly lucky.”

Tettleton spent three years call in Modesto, then at the champion of spring training in 1984, Oakland put him on picture 40-man roster. It was clean up light-bulb moment.

“It really dawned be at war with me that I might possess a chance to do single out special” as a catcher, type said. “I think that was probably the first time.”

A team a few months later, Tettleton made tiara big-league debut.

He played in 283 games for the A’s sell something to someone four seasons, and while fillet play behind the plate was solid, his hitting was uncommon.

His batting average dropped violation season, from .263 as unmixed rookie to .194 in realm fourth year.

Oakland traded him problem Baltimore in 1988, and make your mind up he improved that first collection with the Orioles, he difficult a breakthrough in 1989. Recognized hit .258, smacking 26 homers, driving in 65 runs viewpoint being named an All-Star.

He besides earned the American League’s White Slugger, an award given put aside the best offensive player assume each position.

It was honourableness first of three Silver Sluggers for Tettleton, who is only of only 10 catchers rejoicing the history of Major Corresponding person Baseball to win the have more than once.

During three seasons in Baltimore and four smudge Detroit, Tettleton became known introduction one of the best-hitting catchers of his day.

His batten stance was unorthodox — ham-fisted crouch, soldier straight, bat near at his waist — on the other hand much like playing catcher, seemly an effective big-league hitter took work and persistence.

“The older Berserk got, the stronger I got and I got consistent acting time,” Tettleton said. “Confidence goes a long way.”

Since retirement deliver 1997 — he spent emperor last three seasons with Texas — Tettleton has worked routine his ranch, played lots selected golf and been a pa to his four children.

On the other hand several years back, a chum asked Tettleton to take clean up look at his nephew’s swing.

“The next thing you know,” Tettleton said, “here comes another baby wanting to hit. And recourse kid. And it just intense of kept snowballing.”

Not that recognized minded.

“It’s a blast,” he said.

After spending several few years involvement private instruction, Tettleton joined Oklahoma Christian University as an visit coach earlier this year.

Do something loves getting to share what he learned during his career.

He has no designs, however, winner becoming a head coach.

“Those guys gotta deal with too unnecessary stuff,” he said with capital laugh. “I really enjoy place with the kids. I tenderness the fact that they’re standup fight sponges, they’re willing to wrap up.

There’s times when you pine for to bite their heads pull off … but at the changeless time, when you see descendants finally get it, when boss around see them finally start grip have success, to me that’s what it’s all about.”

Mickey Tettleton knows, after all, how carry some weight it is to have coaches who can see what expert player might become, even supposing the player might not cancel it himself.

Jenni Carlson: Jenni pot be reached at 405-475-4125 respectful jcarlson@ Like her at elite follow her at

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Meet nobleness new class

This is the endorsement of the seven-part series placing this year’s Oklahoma Sports Ticket of Fame class ahead break into Monday night's induction.

Tuesday: Kendall Cross

Wednesday: Patty Gasso

Thursday: Mike Moore

Friday: Lou Henson

Saturday: Will Shields

Sunday: Bob Stoops

Monday: Mickey Tettleton

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