Mike Cubbage – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Mike Cubbage put together a solid eight-year run in Major League Baseball, suiting up for three teams before calling it a career in 1981. He swung left-handed and played infield, ending up with the New York Mets for his final season. His journey started with the Texas Rangers in 1974 and included some productive years with the Minnesota Twins.

Cubbage wrapped up his MLB days with a .258 batting average, 34 home runs, and 251 RBIs over 703 games. He earned a reputation as a reliable utility guy, bouncing around multiple infield spots. Teams valued his versatility, since he mostly played third base, but he also filled in at first, second, and even designated hitter.

What’s interesting about Cubbage’s story is how baseball stayed in his life long after he stopped playing. After he retired, he jumped right into coaching and management roles, sticking around professional baseball for almost 50 years. His path—from college ball at the University of Virginia to the majors, and then into leadership—shows just how many ways someone can leave their mark on the game.

Early Life and Education

Michael Lee Cubbage was born on July 21, 1950, in Charlottesville, Virginia. His parents, Lindy and Marge Cubbage, raised him in a family with deep baseball roots.

He attended Lane High School before moving on to the University of Virginia, where he kept building his athletic resume.

Family Background and Hometown

Cubbage grew up in Charlottesville, surrounded by family who loved the game. His parents, Lindy and Marge, supported him and his baseball dreams.

Baseball wasn’t new to his family. His cousin, Larry Haney, played in the majors, and Chris Haney—his first cousin once removed—also made it to the big leagues.

Those family connections probably gave Mike an early look at what pro baseball was all about. Growing up in Charlottesville, he got to play in local programs and develop his skills.

The baseball atmosphere at home must have fueled his interest in the sport. With family already in the pros, he got insights into what it took to succeed.

Lane High School Athletic Career

Cubbage went to Lane High School in Charlottesville, where he really started to shine on the diamond. He mostly played shortstop and showed off his defensive chops.

His play caught the eye of scouts. The Washington Senators picked him in the fifth round of the 1968 MLB draft while he was still in high school.

He didn’t sign, though. Instead, he chose to keep playing and studying at the college level.

His high school years set him up for what came next. Playing shortstop at Lane helped him build the defensive skills he’d use later, even after he switched to third base.

University of Virginia Achievements

Cubbage enrolled at the University of Virginia, where he played for the Cavaliers. He actually played both baseball and football—talk about versatility.

His time at Virginia helped him get ready for pro ball. The school’s athletic program gave him a good foundation.

He kept drawing interest from pro teams. The Washington Senators drafted him again, this time in the second round of the 1971 entry draft.

He decided to sign after that. His years at Virginia gave him the tools he needed to make the jump. The education and training he got in Charlottesville paid off as he moved forward.

Major League Baseball Playing Career

Mike Cubbage played eight seasons in the majors from 1974 to 1981, moving between three teams as a utility infielder. The Washington Senators drafted him, but he debuted with the Texas Rangers. He spent his best years with the Minnesota Twins, then wrapped things up with the New York Mets.

Draft and Debut with Washington Senators

The Washington Senators picked Cubbage in the fifth round of the 1968 draft, but he passed on signing.

Three years later, they drafted him again in the second round. This time, he signed and started his pro career.

He spent about four years working his way up through the minors. The organization gave him a shot to develop and get ready for the big leagues.

By 1974, the Senators had moved and become the Texas Rangers. Cubbage made his MLB debut on April 7, 1974, against the Oakland Athletics.

He only played nine games that year and didn’t get his first big league hit until 1975.

His breakthrough came in 1975 when he got called up again. On June 20, 1975, he went 3-for-5 with four RBIs against the California Angels and finally got on the board.

Tenure with Minnesota Twins

Cubbage’s career took a big turn on June 1, 1976. The Rangers traded him, along with Roy Smalley III, Bill Singer, and Jim Gideon, to the Minnesota Twins for Bert Blyleven and Danny Thompson.

The trade helped him find his footing. He became the Twins’ main third baseman for the 1977 and 1978 seasons.

His best year? That was probably 1978. He hit .282 with 7 homers, 12 doubles, and 57 RBIs. His .971 fielding percentage at third ranked fourth in the American League.

Career Highlight: On July 27, 1978, Cubbage hit for the cycle against the Toronto Blue Jays. He doubled in the 2nd, homered in the 4th, singled in the 5th, and tripled in the 7th.

Hitting for the cycle is one of those rare baseball feats. He actually got thrown out trying to stretch a double into a triple earlier, but finished the cycle later that game.

He stuck with the Twins through 1980. While there, he built a reputation as a dependable utility player who could fill in wherever needed in the infield.

Final Season and Retirement with New York Mets

Cubbage signed with the New York Mets as a free agent for the 1981 season. That was the last stop in his playing career.

He played in 67 games during the strike-shortened 1981 season, mostly backing up the infield.

His final MLB appearance came on October 3, 1981, against the Montreal Expos. He went 1-for-1 with a home run and an RBI in his last at-bat.

Career Statistics:

• Games: 703
• Batting Average: .258
• Home Runs: 34
• RBIs: 251

Throughout his career, Cubbage offered teams flexibility. He played mostly third base, but also filled in at first, second, and DH.

Even though he played shortstop in high school, he never got a shot at that position in the majors. His ability to play all over the infield made him a useful piece for any roster.

Transition to Coaching and Managerial Experience

When his playing days ended in 1981, Mike Cubbage jumped into coaching and managing with the Mets organization. He spent over a decade building his leadership skills in the minors, which eventually led him to big league opportunities.

Minor League Managerial Roles

Cubbage began his managerial career in 1983 with the Lynchburg Mets in Single-A. He managed there for three seasons, from 1983 to 1985, and made a name for himself as a leader in the Mets’ farm system.

That success led to a promotion with the AA Jackson team in 1986. He started working with prospects who were just a step away from the majors.

From 1987 to 1989, he managed the AAA Tidewater Tides, the Mets’ top minor league club. That put him right at the doorstep of the big leagues and gave him experience working with players about to break through.

Cubbage once said, “I got to manage five years in the state of Virginia which I loved. When I was done as a player, I had some offers but when I saw the Mets had teams in Virginia, I decided to stay with that organization. We had really good teams in Lynchburg & Norfolk.”

Interim Manager Stint with New York Mets

In 1990, the Mets promoted Cubbage to the big leagues as a third base coach under manager Bud Harrelson. That role gave him a front row seat to the highest level of the game.

During the last week of the 1991 season, the Mets fired Harrelson with the team in third place, 18½ games behind the Pirates. Cubbage stepped in as interim manager, becoming the 13th skipper in Mets history.

He picked up his first managerial win on September 29, 1991, when Frank Viola and the Mets beat the Phillies at Shea Stadium. Cubbage finished with a 3-4 record, capping things off with a 7-0 win at Veterans Stadium.

He only managed seven games, which is the fewest in Mets history. After that, Jeff Torborg took over for the 1992 season.

Major League Coaching Positions

After his brief time as interim manager, Cubbage stayed on as third base coach with the Mets through 1996. He spent 13 years with the Mets organization, including seven at the major league level.

He didn’t stop there. Cubbage later joined the Boston Red Sox coaching staff and also worked with the Houston Astros.

In 2002, he served as interim manager for the Red Sox when they fired Joe Kerrigan. He stayed on the staff when Grady Little came in as manager.

Later, Cubbage moved into scouting roles with the Tampa Bay Rays and Washington Nationals. In 2018, the Nationals named him special assistant to GM Mike Rizzo, and he helped the team win a World Series.

Contributions to Professional Baseball After Playing

Mike Cubbage didn’t just disappear after his playing days—he stayed active in baseball for nearly 50 years, working in all sorts of organizational roles. He dedicated himself to developing talent and supporting front office operations with several major league teams.

Scouting and Player Development

Cubbage shifted into scouting and player development in 2004. He focused on finding and nurturing talent. His own experience as a player gave him a sharp eye for prospects and a knack for helping young players grow.

He worked with organizations to evaluate talent at all levels. Because he played so many positions himself, he understood the value of versatility.

Scouting meant a lot of travel, checking out amateur and pro players in person. He used his deep knowledge of the game to spot players who could make it in the majors.

He also mentored young prospects, sharing what he knew about hitting, fielding, and the mental side of baseball.

Special Assistant and Executive Roles

Cubbage took on a role as special assistant to the general manager with the Washington Nationals, helping them win the 2019 World Series. He gave input on player moves and organizational planning.

He helped the front office evaluate trades and free agent signings. Cubbage worked closely with decision-makers to see how new players would fit into the roster.

He joined in on big meetings where the team made key choices. With decades of experience as a player, coach, and scout, he became a trusted advisor in baseball operations.

Cubbage retired in 2020 after 49 seasons in pro baseball. Those last years with the Nationals felt like the perfect way to cap off a long, wide-ranging career.

Legacy, Honors, and Personal Life

Mike Cubbage’s influence on baseball stretched way beyond his time as a player. He earned recognition in Virginia and spent nearly five decades shaping the sport and helping players and coaches all over the baseball world.

Influence on Baseball Community

Cubbage shaped the baseball world with his versatility and impressive longevity. After he retired as a player in 1981, he stuck with the sport for nearly forty more years in all sorts of roles.

He really left his mark during his coaching run with the New York Mets organization. Cubbage managed several minor league teams, like the Tidewater Tides for three seasons and the Lynchburg Mets for two. He coached in the Major Leagues for 14 seasons, working with the Mets, Houston Astros, and Boston Red Sox.

In 1991, the Mets tapped Cubbage to step in as interim manager. Later on, in 2004, he moved into scouting and player development, where he started shaping future talent. He even worked as a Special Assistant to the General Manager for the 2019 World Series Champion Washington Nationals.

People called Cubbage a “baseball lifer” for good reason. He poured his energy into player development and scouting, helping discover and nurture talent for decades.

Awards and Hall of Fame Inductions

Cubbage earned a lot of recognition for what he did for baseball, especially back home in Virginia. The Virginia Sports Hall of Fame inducted him, which really honored everything he accomplished as a player and an executive.

He always kept close ties to Charlottesville and the University of Virginia. Back in 1971, he became Virginia’s first full-scholarship baseball athlete. He even played quarterback for the football team before deciding to focus on baseball.

At Virginia, Cubbage picked up All-ACC honors during both his sophomore and junior years. He wasn’t just a one-sport guy—he played baseball, football, and basketball at Lane High School in Charlottesville.

The Washington Senators drafted him in 1971, which kicked off his pro career. After he retired in 2020, Cubbage passed away in August 2024 at his Charlottesville home after a fight with cancer.

Impact and Remembrance

Mike Cubbage died on August 11, 2024, at age 74, closing out a 50-year career that included playing, coaching, and managing with the New York Mets and several other teams. When he passed away after his battle with cancer, the baseball community came together with tributes, remembering what he meant to the game both on and off the field.

Tributes and Reflections

After Cubbage passed, the baseball world really felt the loss. Former colleagues and players shared heartfelt stories. Jay Horwitz from the Mets called him “a baseball lifer” who put half a century into the game.

People always called him “Cubby.” Those who worked with him remembered his drive for excellence, whether he was on the field or behind the scenes.

The Mets made a point to honor his many roles in their organization. He played in 1981, coached from 1990 to 1996, and even took over as interim manager in 1991.

Several baseball publications highlighted his influence, especially on player development. His coaching helped shape plenty of future stars in the Mets minor leagues.

Cubbage’s legacy reached beyond his playing days, thanks to several hall of fame inductions. He earned spots in the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame, UVA Baseball Hall of Fame, Valley League Hall of Fame, and Peninsula Sports Hall of Fame.

Retirement and Later Years

After he retired as a player in 1981, Cubbage jumped right into coaching and management. He managed in the Mets minor league system for seven seasons, and he never had a losing season.

He spent several years coaching for the New York Mets from 1990 to 1996. In 1991, he even stepped in as interim manager for a bit, which really showed off his leadership.

Cubbage didn’t stop with the Mets. He took on the third base coach job for the Houston Astros from 1997 to 2000, then moved up to bench coach in 2001.

Later on, he scouted for the Tampa Bay Rays and Washington Nationals. People in baseball respected him for his sharp eye and real feel for the game.

Cubbage stayed close to baseball all the way through his later years. He fought cancer for over a year before passing away in hospice care at his Charlottesville, Virginia home, with his family by his side.