Mike Matheny, the current manager of the Kansas City Royals, played college baseball at Michigan, and for his Sophomore and Junior seasons as a catcher for the Wolverines, played for Manager Bill Freehan.
Freehan, winner of 5 Gold Glove Awards in the big leagues, returned to coach his Alma Mater in 1990, and had an immediate impact on Matheny.
Matheny, originally drafted by the the Toronto Blue Jays, deciding on a Michigan education instead, then, as a Junior, was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers, and Mike made his big debut on April 7, 1994.
Mike moved on to the Blue Jays as a Free Agent in 1999, then to the St. Louis Cardinals in 2000, winning 2 Gold Gloves, before playing his last two years of his career with the San Francisco Giants in 2005-06, winning two more Gold Gloves.
In 2006, Matheny was given his Gold Glove Award with his mentor, Bill Freehan, in attendance at Pac Bell Park.
Matheny has been a successful manager after his playing days,including taking the Cardinals to the 2013 World Series.
Matheny was let go by the Cardinals, and, in 2019, was hired by their I-70 rivals in KC.
Thanks for stopping by the blog as I continue to post each day about my baseball hero, Bill Freehan, leading up to what would've been his 80th HappyBaseballBirthday! on Sunday.
Have a terrific week, and, as always, Play BALL! 🐯⚾️
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