Merv Rettenmund facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Merv Rettenmund |
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Rettenmund in 1971
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| Outfielder | |||
| Born: June 6, 1943 Flint, Michigan, U.S. |
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| Died: December 7, 2024 (aged 81) San Diego, California, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| April 14, 1968, for the Baltimore Orioles | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| June 22, 1980, for the California Angels | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .271 | ||
| Home runs | 66 | ||
| Runs batted in | 329 | ||
| Teams | |||
As player
As coach
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Mervin Weldon Rettenmund (born June 6, 1943 – died December 7, 2024) was a professional baseball player and coach from the United States. He played as an outfielder in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1968 to 1980.
He was a key part of the Baltimore Orioles team that won three straight American League titles from 1969 to 1971. They also won the World Series in 1970. Merv Rettenmund also won World Series titles as a player with the Cincinnati Reds in 1975. Later, he won another as a coach for the Oakland Athletics in 1989.
Contents
Early Life and Sports
Merv Rettenmund went to Flint Southwestern High School. There, he played both baseball and American football. After his senior year, he played as a catcher for a team called the Buick Colts. This team won city and state championships.
He was offered a contract to play baseball for the Detroit Tigers. But he decided to turn it down. Instead, he accepted a football scholarship to Ball State University. This helped the university sign more baseball players. He was honored in both baseball and football at college.
Football Career in College
In football, Merv played as a running back and wide receiver. In his last year, he played only three games because of a bad ankle injury. He set a school record for rushing yards per attempt, averaging 7.6 yards.
Baseball Career in College
In baseball, he was chosen twice for the All-Indiana Collegiate Conference team. He also set a new school record for the most home runs. In 1976, he was added to the Ball State Athletics Hall of Fame.
Professional Baseball Career
The Dallas Cowboys picked Merv Rettenmund in the 1965 NFL draft. But they didn't know that he had already signed a professional baseball contract. He had signed with the Baltimore Orioles one day earlier, on November 28.
Starting in the Minor Leagues
In 1965, he was sent to play for the Single-A Stockton Ports. In 1966, he played in the California League. He was named an All-Star after hitting .307 with 21 home runs in 127 games.
In 1967, he hit .286 before getting a shoulder injury. He then played in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League during the winter.
Major League Success
In 1968, Merv won the Minor League Player-of-the-Year award. He helped the Orioles win the American League title in 1969 and 1971. He also helped them win the 1970 World Series. In that World Series, he hit a home run in the final Game 5 against the Cincinnati Reds.
He also helped the Orioles win their division in 1973. Later, he helped the Cincinnati Reds win the 1975 World Series. He also helped the California Angels win their division in 1979.
In 1971, Merv finished 19th in the voting for the American League Most Valuable Player Award. He had a .318 batting average, which was third-best in the American League. He also hit 11 home runs and had 75 runs batted in.
Later Playing Years
After Frank Robinson was traded in 1971, Merv became the Orioles' starting right fielder in 1972. By 1973, injuries and batting slumps meant he wasn't starting as much. Other players like Al Bumbry and Rich Coggins also started playing well.
In December 1973, Merv was traded to the Cincinnati Reds. He played with Junior Kennedy and Bill Wood. They were traded for Ross Grimsley and Wally Williams.
After his best seasons in 1970 and 1971, his performance slowly went down until he retired in 1980. He was very good as a pinch hitter. He hit .276 with 5 home runs and 39 runs batted in when pinch-hitting.
Over 13 seasons, he played in 1,023 games. He finished his career with a .271 batting average, 66 home runs, and 329 runs batted in. He was also a good fielder, with a .985 fielding percentage. He played all three outfield positions.
Coaching Career
After his playing career, Merv Rettenmund became a hitting coach. He coached for several teams:
- Texas Rangers (1983–1985)
- Oakland Athletics (1989–1990)
- San Diego Padres (1991–1999)
- Atlanta Braves (2000–2001)
- Detroit Tigers (2002)
He returned to coach the Padres in June 2006. He replaced Dave Magadan. However, he was replaced again in July 2007 by Wally Joyner.
Personal Life
Merv Rettenmund lived in San Diego, California. He passed away there on December 7, 2024, at 81 years old.
Other Achievements
- Named a Distinguished Graduate of Ball State University in 1972.
- Inducted as a first member of the Ball State University Hall of Fame in 1976.
See also
In Spanish: Merv Rettenmund para niños
