Mike Matheny
Date of Birth: 9/22/1970
Birthplace: Columbus, Ohio
College: University of Michigan
Mike Matheny had a successful career as a major league catcher from 1994 through 2006. He began his baseball career in college and was drafted in 1991 by the Milwaukee Brewers. He spent three years in the minor leagues before becoming the Brewers' starting catcher in 1994.
Over a 13 year career, Matheny played for four teams (Brewers, 1994-1998; Toronto Blue Jays, 1999; St. Louis Cardinals, 2000-2004; San Francisco Giants, 2005-2006). His most successful years were with the Cardinals and Giants, during which time he won four gold gloves (2000, 2003-2005). On August 4, 2004, Matheny set a major league record for the longest stretch for a catcher with no errors (August 1, 2002 - August 4, 2004). Matheny's statistics over his 13 years in the majors include 1,305 games played, 925 hits, 190 doubles, 443 RBIs, and a batting average of .239.
In 2012, his first year as manager of the St. Louis Cardinals, Matheny led the team to a second place finish in the NL Central division. The team then went on to defeat the Braves in the first round of playoffs but they were eliminated in the NL championship series when they lost to the San Francisco Giants in seven games. In 2013, he led the Cardinals to a first place finish in the National League Central division with a 97-65 win-loss record. The team then went on to win the National League division series and the NL pennant. They lost the World Series, however, to the Boston Red Sox.
After the end of the 2013 season, the Cardinals extended Matheny's contract through 2017. In 2014, he again led the Cardinals to a winning season, finishing in first place in the NL Central division with a 90-72 record. They then went on to defeat the Dodgers three games to one in the NL Division series. They lost, however, to the Giants in the NL Championship series in four games to one.
Matheny and the Cardinals had another strong season in 2015, leading all of major league baseball in wins with 100 (to 62 losses) and again earning first place in the NL Central division. They did not, however, succeed in the postseason, losing the NL Division Series three games to one to the Chicago Cubs.
Matheny and the Cardinals did not make the postseason in 2016. They finished in second place in the NL Central division with an 86-76 record. They lost the chance at a Wild Card spot in the last games of the regular season.
The Cardinals gave Matheny a three-year contract extension on November 3, 2016. His new contract goes through the 2020 season.
Matheny and the Cardinals finished in third place in the NL Central division in 2017. They had 83 wins and 79 losses.
The Cardinals fired Matheny on July 14, 2018, after the team had 47 wins and 46 losses for the season. He finished his managerial time with the Cardinals with 591 wins and 474 losses.
Matheny was hired to manage the Kansas City Royals on October 31, 2019. He led the team to a fourth place finish in the NL central division in the shortened 2020 season, with 26 wins and 34 losses.
In 2021, the Royals again finished in fourth place in the NL central division. They had 74 wins and 88 losses.
Matheny was released from his position as manager of the Royals on October 5, 2022.
Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Mike Matheny
Baseball Reference - Mike Matheny