Mike Matheny #22

Mike Matheny was named the 49th manager in St. Louis Cardinals franchise history on November 14, 2011. Matheny, 42, will be entering his second season as a manager/coach at the professional level. He served as a Special Assistant in Player Development for the Cardinals prio rto his being named manager. Last year,at age 41, Matheny became the youngest active manager in the majors and the youngest Cardinals manager since Jack Krol, who was also 41 years of age when he managed the team in 1978. Matheny has joined notables such as Red Schoendienst, Joe Torre, Ken Boyer, Frank Frisch and Rogers Hornsby amongst Cardinals players who later served as the team's manager. In his first year at the helm, Matheny guided the Cardinals to the National League Championship round of the playoffs, having captured a wild card berth on the next-to-last day of the regular season. A wild card win at Atlanta and a dramatic Division Series win over the Washington Nationals sent his club to the NLCS, where the Cards fell to the San Francisco Giants in seven games. In doing so, Mike became the first rookie manager to lead the Cardinals to the postseason since Eddie Dyer led the Redbirds to a World Championship win over Boston in 1946. He joined his predecessor, Tony LaRussa, who was the last Cardinals manager to pilot the team to the playoffs in his first year with the club. A veteran of 13 seasons in the majors, Matheny was drafted out of the University of Michigan by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 8th round of the 1991 draft. Matheny made his Major League debut with the Brewers in 1994 and spent five seasons (1994-98) with Milwaukee before signing a free-agent contract with the Toronto Blue Jays in 1999. Following his release by the Blue Jays, Matheny signed a free-agent contract with the Cardinals on December 16, 1999 and he went on to spend five seasons with the Cardinals from 2000-04,earnin gtrips to the post season in four of those five seasons, including a National League Championship in 2004. As a Cardinal, Matheny appeared in 611 games at catcher, logging 4,938.1 innings while committing just 14 errors. The four-time (2000, 2003-05) Rawlings Gold Glove recipient holds the Major League catching record for consecutive errorless games(252) and for consecutive errorless chances(1,565). He posted a lifetime batting mark of .239 with 67 home runs and 443 RBI in 1,305 games played in a career that was cut short due to complications from repeated concussion. Matheny signed with San Francisco as a free-agent prior to the 2005 season and he spent two seasons with the Giants before playing his final game on May 31, 2006. In his first season with the Giants, Matheny set the team record for fielding pct.(.9988) by a catcher, came within two of the team mark(36) for doubles by a catcher and was voted by his teammates as the recipient of the "Willie MacAward"for being the most inspirational player on the team. In 2002, Matheny served as an inspirational leader for the Cardinals, helping the team to cope with the shocking death of pitcher Darryl Kile while still reaching the National League Championship Series. Matheny was voted by his teammates as the first recipient of the "Darryl Kile Award" in 2003 - an award that goes annually to the Cardinals player who best demonstrates the qualities that Darryl brought to the clubhouse everyday; those of a good teammate, a great friend, a fine father and a humble man. Matheny has been a tireless worker in the community, organizing and creating the "Catch-22" charity that donated tickets to Cardinals fans from 2002-04. In 2005, his group saw the opening of the "Catch 22 Miracle Field" at Chesterfield Valley Athletic Complex. The $650,000 project was designed and constructed to allow children of all abilities to experience the thrill of playing baseball, and is specially designed to accommodate athletes with physical and mental disabilities. The field incorporates a firm, rubber playing surface that is more forgiving and friendly for wheelchairs, walkers and children who may use braces, while dugouts provide room for wheelchairs to maneuver and wide concrete patios and ramps allow families to easily access both field and viewing areas. Funding for the field project was provided by "Catch 22 Foundation", which Mike created. Matheny, born on September 22, 1970 in Reynoldsburg, Ohio, graduated from Reynoldsburg High School in 1988,where he was a team captain for both the baseball and football teams. He was a member of the Connie Mack National Championship team in 1989 and attended the University of Michigan, where he was co-captain of the Wolverines' baseball team. Mike's wife, Kristin, was also a varsity athlete at Michigan, playing field hockey. The couple reside in St. Louis county with their five children: daughter Katie(18) and four sons, Tate(19), Luke(16), Jacob(15) and Blaise(12). His son, Tate, plays baseball at Missouri State University in Springfield, Mo., and was drafted in the 23rd round of the June 2012 draft by St. Louis, but did not sign. His daughter,Katie, is a stand-out ice hockey player and has committed to play hockey at Ohio State University. Matheny (pronounced muh-THEE-nee)is currently under contract through the 2014 season.

2006

Catcher and team leader saw season end in late May, when he first received concussion incurred by series of foul tips...left May 31 game at Florida in 3rd inning, and was placed on Disabled List next day...symptoms never fully dissipated, and he missed remainder of season with post-concussion syndrome...was examined multiple times by Dr. Michael Collins, head trauma specialist based out of Pittsburgh, PA...prior to injury, started 44 of SF's 1st 53 games, while appearing in 47 contests overall...caught 391.1 of Giants' initial 469.1ip (83.4%), while guiding staff to 4.23 ERA (184er)...endured poor offensive April in which he hit just .171 (12-for-70) with 3 RBI, but had season numbers up to .231 with 18 driven in at time of injury...hit .278 (25-for- 90) with 2 HRs and 15 RBI in 25 games during May, hitting safely in 19 contests...compiled season-best 9-game hitting streak May 6-16, going 15-for-35 (.429) with 4 2Bs and 10 RBI...batted .364 (16-for-44) off left-handed pitching.

2005

Was simply tremendous during 1st season in Giants uniform, both behind plate and with bat...also had tremendous impact in clubhouse, being voted by teammates as "Willie Mac Award" winner for most inspirational player on club...posted highest single-season fielding pct. for catcher in SF history, logging .999 mark (1 error, 862 total chances)...lone error also matched lowest total by SF backstop, while his 1,122.0 innings caught were 4th most in club's West Coast annals...led all NL catchers by throwing out 30 attempted base stealers, while ranking 3rd by nailing 32.3% of would-be base thieves (93 attempted)...offensively, his 34 2Bs led all big league catchers and tied Harry Danning's 1940 output with New York club for 2nd-highest total by backstop in franchise history...only Giants receiver with more two-baggers in single season was Dick Dietz (36 in 1970)...also tied for 2nd among NL backstops with career-high 59 RBI (1 behind CHI's Michael Barrett), while his career-best 13 HRs were 4th most in senior circuit...proved to be adept clutch hitter, ranking 4th on club by batting .311 (33-for-106) with RISP...raised game another notch with RISP and 2 outs, going 15-for-44 (.341) in those situations...slugged his 3rd career grand slam May 2 at Arizona, 3rd inning shot off Russ Ortiz...marked 1 of 2 occasions that he matched career high in RBI, also drivinig in 4 July 7 vs. Cincinnati.

2004

Earned Gold Glove award as NL's top defensive catcher for 2nd straight year and 3rd time in career, leading all big league catchers with .999 fielding pct. (1 error in 801 total chances)...was charged with just 2 passed balls in 122 games behind plate...threw out 28.3% of attempted base stealers (15-of-53) to finish 4th in NL...enjoyed solid offensive campaign, establishing career high with 50 RBI for NL champion St. Louis...also hit at .247 clip, 8 points higher than lifetime avg., while matching career standard with 22 2Bs...committed throwing error on 8th-inning steal attempt Aug. 4 vs. Montreal, 1st defensive miscue since Aug. 1, 2002 at Florida...snapped ML-record streak of 252-consecutive errorless games caught and 1,565-straight chances without error...Cardinals pitchers logged 3.88 ERA (422er, 977.2ip) with him behind plate...was on Disabled List June 3-18 with strained right oblique muscle...matched career high with 4 RBI June 27 at Kansas City, finishing contest 2-for-5...tied for club lead with 5 RBI in 4-game NLDS victory over LA, going 4-for-14 (.286) with HR...collected 4 RBI in St. Louis' 8-4, Game 2 victory...saw action in each of Cardinals' 15 playoff games overall, and drove in club's 1st World Series run with sacrifice fly during Game 1 at Boston.

2003

Earned 2nd career Gold Glove award...became just 3rd backstop in ML history to catch at least 100 games in single season without committing error, handling 823 chances flawlessly...caught 138 games (121 starts), while logging 1096.2 innings behind plate...established career highs in games (141), hits (11) and HRs (8), while his .252 avg. trailed only his .261 mark in 2000.

2002

Committed just 4 errors in 106 games behind plate (830.1 innings), while nailing 34.8% of attempted base stealers (22-of-65)...finished with .244 batting avg., 26-point increase of 2001 production...however, was .282 hitter (42-for-149) in 52 games after July 16...led Cardinals with 14 sacrifices, including 6 sacrifice flies...hit at .295 clip (18-for-61) in Sept. as Redbirds captured NL Central crown...started behind plate and hit safely in all 8 of St. Louis' post season contests, hitting .357 (10-for-28) with HR and 3 RBI...went 4-for-9 (.444) in 3-game NLDS sweep of Arizona, including 2-for-3 effort off Randy Johnson in Game 1...batted .316 (6-for-19) in NLCS vs. San Francisco...belted solo clout off Giants' Russ Ortiz in 4th inning of Game 3 at SBC Park, Cards' lone victory in series.

2001

Ranked 2nd in NL by throwing out 45.5% of would-be base thieves (25-of-55)...was charged with just 4 errors in 121 games behind dish (1002 innings)...picked 5 runners off base, including 4 straying off 2nd base...made post season debut, appearing in 4 games (3 starts) of Cardinals NLDS loss vs. Arizona.

2000

Established career highs in nearly every offensive category while earning 1st Gold Glove award as NL's top defensive catcher...joined Tom Pagnozzi as only Cardinals catchers to have won award...season came to an abrupt and shocking end Sept. 29 when he severed 2 flexor tendons and nerve in his right ring finger while accidentally cutting himself on hunting knife which he received as birthday gift...underwent surgery, performed by hand specialist Dr. Richard Gelberman, and was forced to miss entire post season...established career bests with .261 avg. and 22 2Bs, while collecting 6 HRs and 47 RBI...led majors by throwing out remarkable 51.1% of attempted base stealers (46-of-90)...started 117 games behind plate, catching 1032.2 innings...had career high 12-game hitting steak Aug. 22-Sept. 4.

1999

Appeared in 57 games, including 50 starts at catcher, during lone season in Toronto...guided Blue Jays hurlers to 4.33 ERA, which was 59 points lower than club's 4.92 overall mark.

1998

Logged final campaign with Milwaukee, batting .238 with 6 HRs and 27 RBI in 108 games...required stitches on inside of left cheek after being hit in face by Rich Loiselle pitch May 26 vs. Pittsburgh, but was in starting lineup next day...was on Disabld List June 16-July 12 with strained left external oblique...set career high with 4 hits July 18 at Atlanta, while tying club record with 3 2Bs.

1997

Enjoyed 1st full season in majors, batting .244 with 4 HRs and 32 RBI in 123 games with Brewers...ranked 5th among AL catchers with .993 fielding pct. (5 errors in 760 total chances) and 5th by throwing out 33% of attempted base stealers (34-of-103)...earned 2nd consecutive Opening Day start at catcher...belted 2nd career grand slam (off TEX's Ken Hill) in Brewers' home opener April 7.

1996

Milwaukee's Opening Day backstop hit career-high 8 HRs in 313 at-bats...ranked 4th in AL by nailing 26.8% of would-be base thieves (19-of-71)...set career high with 4 RBI Aug. 5 at Oakland, all coming courtesy of 1st career grand slam (off Athletics' Willie Adams)...was optioned to triple-A New Orleans Aug. 11...was recalled Sept. 3, hammering pair of clouts down stretch.

1995

Opened season in Milwaukee and was with big league club for entire campaign save 10-day stretch in New Orleans May 15-25...started 47 games behind plate for Brew Crew...in fact, with Joe Oliver on DL, batted .275 (22-for-80) as club's starting catcher July 14-Aug. 15...played winter ball with Arecibo in Puerto Rico.

1994

Was on Brewers' Opening Day roster and made ML debut as pinch-hitter April 7 vs. Oakland...collected 1st big league hit April 17, singling off SEA's Dave Fleming...was optioned to New Orleans May 23 and was recalled July 7...belted 1st ML clout July 21 at County Stadium, solo clout off MIN's Jim Deshaies...played winter ball with Licey in Dominican Republic.

1993

Was promoted to double-A El Paso, where he hit .254 with 21 2Bs, 2 HRs and 28 RBI.

1992

Batted .219 with 6 HRs and 46 RBI for single-A Stockton...nailed 47.9% of would be base thieves (68-of-142) for California League champs.

1991

Made professional debut with Helena in Pioneer Rookie League, hitting .285 in 64 games.