Mick Kelleher – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Michael Dennis Kelleher spent 11 years in Major League Baseball as a utility infielder, moving through five different teams between 1972 and 1982. People mostly remember him for his defensive skills, not his bat, and he became a steady backup who could cover multiple infield spots when needed.

Kelleher hung up his cleats in 1982 after his last season with the California Angels. He finished with a .213 batting average and, interestingly, holds the distinction of being the most recently retired non-pitcher with over 1,000 at-bats and zero home runs. Even though his offensive numbers never wowed anyone, teams valued his defense enough to keep him around both the National and American Leagues for over a decade.

This Seattle native’s path through pro baseball really shows how a player can squeeze every bit out of his talents and contribute even when the stats don’t jump off the page. From his start with the St. Louis Cardinals to his later coaching gig with the New York Yankees, Kelleher’s story stretches well beyond just his playing days. It shines a light on the importance of reliable veterans in baseball.

Early Life and Education

Michael Dennis Kelleher was born on July 25, 1947, in Seattle, Washington. He discovered his love for baseball early on and kept chasing it through high school and college.

Birthplace and Childhood

Mick Kelleher entered the world in Seattle, Washington, on July 25, 1947. He grew up in the Pacific Northwest with a family that loved sports and pushed him to get involved.

Seattle’s sports scene offered plenty of opportunities for young athletes. The city’s baseball culture definitely played a part in shaping Kelleher’s game.

His passion for baseball really started to show as a kid. Kelleher spent countless hours practicing and playing the game that would eventually become his career.

Having a supportive family made all the difference. His relatives noticed his skills and encouraged him to take baseball seriously.

Shoreline High School Athletics

Kelleher went to Shoreline High School in Shoreline, Washington, where he kept excelling at baseball. Those high school years were huge for his development.

While at Shoreline, college scouts started to take notice. His play on the field hinted at the potential that would eventually draw interest from pro teams.

The baseball program at Shoreline gave him good structure and competition. That experience set him up for the next step in his athletic journey.

His coaches worked with him to fine-tune his infield skills. The foundation he built there turned out to be crucial for what came next.

University of Puget Sound Baseball Experience

After high school, Kelleher headed to the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington. He got to play college baseball while working on his degree.

His time at the University of Puget Sound impressed pro scouts. College ball let him face tougher competition and helped him sharpen his abilities.

The St. Louis Cardinals drafted Kelleher in the third round of the 1969 MLB June Amateur Draft, straight out of college.

That college experience ended up being the last big step before pro baseball. The skills he picked up in Tacoma got him ready for the grind of the minors.

Major League Baseball Career

Mick Kelleher played 11 seasons in pro baseball from 1972 to 1982, showing up in 622 games for five different teams. He finished with a .213 batting average, 230 hits in 1,081 at-bats, and, famously, not a single home run.

MLB Debut and Early Years

Kelleher made his MLB debut on September 1, 1972, with the St. Louis Cardinals at 25 years old. The Cardinals had picked him in the third round from the University of Puget Sound back in 1969.

He spent four years grinding through the minors before finally getting his shot. In 1972, while playing for the Tulsa Oilers, Kelleher set an American Association record for shortstops with a .979 fielding percentage.

Kelleher sat behind veteran Dal Maxvill on the Cardinals’ depth chart. When the team traded Maxvill on August 30, 1972, Kelleher got the call-up the very next day and started the rest of the season.

On October 26, 1973, the Cardinals sold his contract to the Houston Astros. Kelleher spent most of 1974 in the minors with the Denver Bears, but he got a couple of short looks with the Astros’ big league club.

After the 1974 season, the Cardinals bought him back from Houston. This gave Kelleher another shot with his original team, though it didn’t last long.

Chicago Cubs Tenure

On December 22, 1975, the Chicago Cubs traded for Kelleher in exchange for Vic Harris. This move mattered for Kelleher—he spent five seasons with the Cubs from 1976 to 1980.

His most memorable moment as a player happened on August 7, 1977, at Wrigley Field. During a game against the San Diego Padres, the 5-foot-9, 170-pound Kelleher got into a fight with 6-foot-6, 210-pound Dave Kingman after a hard slide broke up a double play.

The benches cleared, and both players got ejected. Ironically, Kingman joined the Cubs as a free agent the next year and became Kelleher’s teammate.

While with the Cubs, Kelleher mainly filled the role of utility infielder and defensive specialist. His bat stayed quiet, but his glove kept him on the roster.

Positions Played in the Majors

Throughout his career, Kelleher mostly played shortstop, but he could handle other infield spots too. His defense was his calling card in the majors.

On April 1, 1981, the Detroit Tigers picked up Kelleher from the Cubs. He spent two seasons in Detroit, still doing the utility infielder thing.

The California Angels acquired him on April 21, 1982, for his last season. He played mostly shortstop for the 1982 AL Western Division Champions and hit .163 in 49 at-bats.

Kelleher stands out in baseball history for a quirky reason. He’s the most recently retired non-pitcher with more than 1,000 at-bats and zero home runs. That stat sums up his role as a defensive guy, not a hitter.

His big league run ended after the 1982 season when the Angels let him go. Even with a low batting average, Kelleher’s defensive chops and versatility let him stick around for 11 years in the majors.

Notable Seasons and Achievements

Kelleher’s career didn’t have flashy stats, but he stayed consistent, especially during his time with the Chicago Cubs in the late 1970s. His .213 career batting average reflected his defensive focus, but he did manage to hit over .250 in back-to-back years.

Peak Performance Years

Kelleher’s best seasons came in 1978 and 1979 with the Cubs. Those two years, he posted his highest batting averages.

In 1978, he hit .253 over 68 games, collecting 24 hits in 95 at-bats and driving in 6 runs.

The next season looked just as good. In 1979, Kelleher batted .254 in 73 games, picking up 36 hits in 142 at-bats and knocking in 10 runs.

Those back-to-back years marked the peak of his offensive game. Hitting above .250 both seasons showed he could be a steady bench player and defensive sub.

Career Batting Statistics

Over 11 seasons, Kelleher put up modest but steady offensive numbers. He finished with a .213 batting average, 230 hits in 1,081 at-bats, and played in 622 games.

Career Highlights:

• Batting Average: .213
• Hits: 230
• RBIs: 65
• Runs Scored: 108
• Home Runs: 0

Kelleher never hit a home run in his MLB career. That odd stat really highlights his contact-first approach and his main job as a defensive specialist.

His best season for total hits came in 1976 with the Cubs. He racked up 77 hits in 337 at-bats, though his average that year was .228.

Memorable Games and Milestones

Kelleher’s most talked-about moment as a player happened on August 7, 1977, at Wrigley Field. During the second game of a doubleheader against the Padres, he squared off with Dave Kingman in the second inning.

That fight turned into one of the more memorable brawls in Cubs history. The size difference between Kelleher and Kingman made it even more of a spectacle for fans.

He made his MLB debut on September 1, 1972, with the Cardinals at age 25. That first game kicked off an 11-year career across five teams.

His final season came in 1982, split between the Tigers and Angels. Kelleher played in 36 games that year and hit .160 in his last go-round.

Final Playing Years and Retirement

Kelleher’s last two seasons saw him with the Detroit Tigers and California Angels, mostly as a backup infielder. He wrapped up his 11-year major league career in 1982. His final run with the Angels included being part of the AL Western Division Champs.

Playing for the Detroit Tigers

The Detroit Tigers bought Kelleher from the Cubs on April 1, 1981. That move started his last chapter as a player.

With the Tigers, Kelleher continued as a utility infielder. He filled in at shortstop and other spots, bringing a veteran presence to the team.

Detroit mostly used him as a defensive replacement and backup. His glove stayed reliable, even as his bat struggled.

He spent parts of two seasons with the Tigers before moving on to his last MLB team. His time in Detroit ran from 1981 into early 1982.

California Angels and the 1982 Retirement

On April 21, 1982, the California Angels purchased Kelleher from the Tigers. That transaction turned out to be the last of his playing career.

Kelleher joined the 1982 AL Western Division Champs and played mostly shortstop, though he didn’t see a ton of action.

His numbers at the plate with the Angels weren’t great. He hit .163 in 49 at-bats during the 1982 season, which really summed up his struggles at bat.

Even though the Angels won the division, Kelleher didn’t get into the playoffs. The team released him after the season.

After his release, Kelleher officially retired from pro baseball. He wrapped up his career with a .213 batting average over 622 games and 1,081 at-bats.

Post-Retirement Activities

After stepping away from playing in 1982, Mick Kelleher stayed close to the game through coaching and front office work. He worked with several MLB organizations over three decades, focusing on infield instruction and player development.

Coaching and Managerial Roles

Kelleher jumped right into coaching after his playing days ended. He started out as a minor league coach and scout, getting his feet wet in player development.

In 1986, he landed a job with the Pittsburgh Pirates as their first base, base running, and infield coach. That was his first big league coaching gig, but it didn’t last long—he was let go after just one season.

After Pittsburgh, Kelleher kept working in the minors. He became a roving infield instructor, traveling between teams to teach defensive fundamentals. That role let him share his deep knowledge of infield play with up-and-coming players.

Involvement with MLB Teams After Playing

After his playing days, Kelleher jumped into roles with several major league organizations. He kept in touch with folks across baseball, which opened doors for coaching gigs at the top level.

The Detroit Tigers brought him on as their first base coach from 2003 to 2005. He worked under manager Alan Trammell during that stretch.

When Trammell got fired and Jim Leyland took over, Kelleher decided to leave the Tigers. It seems like he just moved on rather than stick around for a new regime.

As his coaching career progressed, his reputation as an infield instructor really started to grow. Teams noticed how well he could teach defensive skills and proper positioning.

Players appreciated his insight and the fact that he’d been there as a major league infielder. That kind of real experience goes a long way, doesn’t it?

New York Yankees Coaching Career

In 2001, Kelleher started working for the New York Yankees as a roving infield instructor. He spent time with an 18-year-old Robinson Canó, who was just switching over to second base.

Before the 2009 season, the Yankees promoted him to first base coach and infield coordinator. He stuck with the team for six seasons, from 2009 through 2014.

That ended up being his longest coaching stint with any big league club. Not too shabby.

Key accomplishments with the Yankees:

• Part of the 2009 World Series championship coaching staff
• Worked closely with Eduardo Nunez to sharpen his defense
• Helped cut down on throwing errors and boosted infield fundamentals

On October 10, 2014, the Yankees announced Kelleher wouldn’t return for the 2015 season. He retired from baseball just ten days later, wrapping up a coaching career that lasted almost thirty years.

Legacy and Impact

Mick Kelleher made his mark on baseball with his defensive skills, leadership, and the pride he brought to smaller college programs. His influence reached beyond stats, touching mentoring relationships and school spirit.

Influence as a Defensive Infielder

Kelleher built a reputation as one of the steadiest defensive infielders of his time. Back in 1972, he set an American Association record for shortstops with a .979 fielding percentage while playing for the Tulsa Oilers.

His glove work really stood out during his big league career. Teams leaned on him for his defense at shortstop, second, and third base.

From 1976 to 1980, the Chicago Cubs counted on him as a defensive specialist. He didn’t hit much—just a .213 average—but his fielding kept him in the majors for 11 years.

Kelleher’s consistency in the field made him a solid utility infielder. Managers could plug him in at multiple spots whenever they needed a steady hand.

Reputation Among Teammates and Coaches

People across baseball respected Kelleher for his work ethic and professionalism. His reputation as a reliable teammate and sharp coach opened doors after he hung up his cleats.

In 2009, the New York Yankees hired him as their first base coach and infield coordinator. Over six seasons, he spent a lot of time helping players like Eduardo Nunez with their defensive fundamentals.

Throughout his coaching journey, Kelleher mentored a lot of young players. He worked with Robinson Canó back in 2001, helping the future All-Star learn second base.

His patient approach and technical know-how made him a coach players wanted to learn from. It’s not every day you find someone with that mix of experience and teaching chops.

Representation of the University of Puget Sound

Kelleher really put the University of Puget Sound on the map with his professional baseball career. The St. Louis Cardinals picked him in the third round of the 1969 MLB Draft, right out of this small liberal arts college in Tacoma, Washington.

He made the leap from a lesser-known university to Major League Baseball, and honestly, that just goes to show talent can come from anywhere. Kelleher played for 11 years, and in doing so, he showed everyone that players from smaller schools can hang with the best.

Thanks to Kelleher, the University of Puget Sound started popping up in professional baseball conversations. His success nudged scouts to look past the usual big-name programs and take a closer look at the talent waiting in unexpected places.