Merv Rettenmund

Mervin Weldon Rettenmund (born June 6, 1943) is an American former professional baseball player and coach. He played in Major League Baseball as an outfielder from 1968 through 1980, most notably as a member of the Baltimore Orioles dynasty that won three consecutive American League pennants from 1969 to 1971 and, won the World Series in 1970. Rettenmund also won world championships as a player for the Cincinnati Reds and, as a coach for the Oakland Athletics.

Merv Rettenmund
Outfielder
Born: (1943-06-06) June 6, 1943
Flint, Michigan
Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
April 14, 1968, for the Baltimore Orioles
Last MLB appearance
June 22, 1980, for the California Angels
MLB statistics
Batting average.271
Home runs66
Runs batted in329
Teams
As player

As coach

Career highlights and awards

Early years

Rettenmund attended Flint Southwestern High School, where he played baseball and American football. In the summer after his senior year, he played as a catcher for the Buick Colts of the Michigan American Legion, contributing to the team winning the city and state championships. He turned down a contract offer from the Detroit Tigers of MLB. He accepted a football scholarship from Ball State University, so the school could sign more baseball players. He lettered in baseball and football, receiving all-league honors in both sports.

As a football player, he played at running back and wide receiver. As a senior, he only played in 3 games after suffering a severe ankle sprain. He set the school career record for rushing yards per attempt: 7.6 yards (on 161 career carries).[1] In baseball, he was a two-time All-Indiana Collegiate Conference selection. He set the school career home run record.

In 1976, he was inducted into the Ball State Athletics Hall of Fame.[2]

Professional career

Rettenmund was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the 19th round (257th overall) of the 1965 NFL Draft. Unbeknownst to the Cowboys, he had signed a professional baseball contract with the Baltimore Orioles of MLB one day earlier on November 28.[1]

In 1965, he was assigned to the Single-A Stockton Ports to finish out the year. In 1966, he played in the California League and received All-Star honors after hitting .307 with 21 home runs in 127 games.

In 1967, he hit .286, before suffering a separated shoulder late in the summer. He played in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League during winter.

In 1968, he received the Minor League Player-of-the-Year award. He helped the Orioles win the 1969 and 1971 American League pennant, the 1970 World Series (including hitting a home run in the deciding Game 5 over the Cincinnati Reds) and the 1973 AL Eastern Division, the Reds win the 1975 World Series and the Angels win the 1979 AL Western Division. He also served as hitting coach for the 1989 World Series champion Oakland Athletics, as well as the Athletics' 1990 A.L. pennant-winners, and the 1998 National League champion Padres.

He finished 19th in voting for the 1971 AL MVP for playing in 141 Games and having 491 At Bats, 81 Runs, 156 Hits, 23 Doubles, 4 Triples, 11 Home Runs, 75 RBI, 15 Stolen Bases, 87 Walks, .318 Batting Average (which was third best in the American League to Bobby Murcer of the New York Yankees [.331], and Tony Oliva of the Minnesota Twins [.337]), .422 On-base percentage, .448 Slugging Percentage, 220 Total Bases, 4 Sacrifice Hits, 3 Sacrifice Flies and 2 Intentional Walks.

After the trade of Frank Robinson to the Los Angeles Dodgers in early-December 1971, Rettenmund began the 1972 season as the Orioles' starting right fielder. By 1973, he was out of the starting lineup due to injuries, prolonged batting slumps and the emergence of Al Bumbry and Rich Coggins.[3] Rettenmund, along with Junior Kennedy and Bill Wood, was sent to the Cincinnati Reds for Ross Grimsley and Wally Williams on December 4, 1973.[4]

In 13 seasons, he played in 1,023 Games and had 2,555 At Bats, 393 Runs, 693 Hits, 114 Doubles, 16 Triples, 66 Home Runs, 329 RBI, 68 Stolen Bases, 445 Walks, .271 Batting Average, .381 On-base percentage, .406 Slugging Percentage, 1,037 Total Bases, 36 Sacrifice Hits, 20 Sacrifice Flies and 15 Intentional Walks. He recorded a .985 Fielding Percentage at all 3 outfield positions in his major league career.

After his major league career, Rettenmund served as hitting coach for the Texas Rangers (1983–85), the Athletics (1989–90), the Padres (1991–99), the Atlanta Braves (2000–01), and the Detroit Tigers (2002).

Personal life

After three years out of the majors, Rettenmund returned as hitting coach of the Padres in June, 2006, replacing Dave Magadan. However, he himself was replaced in mid-season the next year (July 31, 2007), by Wally Joyner[5]

Rettenmund currently resides in San Diego, California.

Other honors
  • Named a Distinguished Graduate of Ball State University in 1972.[6]
  • Inducted as a Charter Member of the Ball State University Hall of Fame in 1976.[7]

References
  1. "Baseball lifer always regretted not giving NFL a shot". Victoria Advocate. Retrieved September 12, 2019.
  2. "Hall of Fame". Ball State. Retrieved September 12, 2019.
  3. Armour, Mark and Allen, Malcolm. Pitching, Defense, and Three-Run Homers: The 1970 Baltimore Orioles. Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Press, 2012. Retrieved August 26, 2018
  4. Armour, Mark L. and Levitt, Daniel R. In Pursuit of Pennants: Baseball Operations from Deadball to Moneyball. Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Press, 2015. Retrieved August 26, 2018
  5. "Bal State University: Distinguished Alumni Award". Bal State University. Retrieved 30 October 2013.
  6. "Distinguished Alumni Award Past Winners - Ball State University". Cms.bsu.edu. Retrieved 2013-10-30.
  7. "Ball State Athletics Hall of Fame - Ball State". Ballstatesports.com. Retrieved 2013-10-30.
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