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

Mike Squires made a name for himself in baseball history during his run with the Chicago White Sox from 1975 to 1985. Born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, he built a reputation for top-tier defense at first base and a willingness to play pretty much anywhere on the field.

People really noticed his versatility and glove work, especially at a time when most guys stuck to one spot. He stood out in an era when specialization was all the rage.

Squires actually became the first left-handed catcher in Major League Baseball since 1958, and also the first left-handed third baseman in over 50 years. Seriously, how many players can say that? It just shows how adaptable and skilled he was out there. He snagged the American League Gold Glove Award at first base in 1981, which pretty much cemented his status as one of the best defensive players of his generation.

Besides his historic fielding feats, Squires played a big part on the White Sox’s division-winning squad in 1983. He even pitched in a game in 1984. His story, going from college ball at Western Michigan University to a major league standout, proves that sticking to the basics and being flexible can really leave a mark in pro baseball.

Early Life and Amateur Baseball

Mike Squires was born March 5, 1952, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He honed his baseball skills through both high school and college, putting in the hours and effort.

Western Michigan University’s program caught the eye of pro scouts, and the Chicago White Sox picked him in the 1973 MLB draft.

Childhood and Family Background

Michael Lynn Squires grew up in Kalamazoo during the 1950s and 1960s. His March 5, 1952, birth date put him in that group of players who’d break into the majors in the mid-70s.

He got hooked on baseball early on. Michigan’s strong baseball scene gave him plenty of chances to play organized ball as a kid.

His family always had his back when it came to sports. That support in Kalamazoo laid the groundwork for his future.

As a youngster, Squires showed a natural gift for defense. Local coaches and scouts took notice of his skills while he was still learning the ropes.

Kalamazoo Central High School Years

He went to high school in the Kalamazoo area and kept working on his baseball game. His glove at first base started to get attention during these years.

High school baseball let Squires face tougher competition. He polished his fielding and got better at the plate too.

College scouts in the area started to take a closer look at him. His defense made him a hot prospect for college programs.

Playing high school baseball in Michigan set him up for the next step. Coaches there drilled the fundamentals that would help him later on.

College Baseball at Western Michigan University

Squires played college baseball at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. That gave him a real shot to show off his skills to pro scouts.

He mostly played first base for the Broncos, and his defense just kept improving with better coaching.

The Chicago White Sox picked him in the 18th round of the 1973 MLB June Amateur Draft. That came straight off his college performance.

His college years showed off the defensive chops that would get him noticed in the big leagues. Scouts liked his glove and his baseball IQ.

Getting drafted ended his amateur days. Squires had gone from youth leagues in Kalamazoo to pro ball, thanks to his time in college.

Professional Baseball Career with Chicago White Sox

Mike Squires spent his whole 10-year Major League Baseball career with the Chicago White Sox from 1975 to 1985. The lefty first baseman was drafted by Chicago in 1973, and his defense—especially that Gold Glove in 1981—became his calling card.

Draft and Minor Leagues

The Chicago White Sox picked Squires in the 18th round of the 1973 MLB June Amateur Draft. He was the 429th overall pick out of Western Michigan.

Squires worked his way through the White Sox minor league system for two years. He started building his defensive reputation during those early seasons.

He looked like a steady fielder from the start. His hitting was fine, but not really the main thing people noticed about him in the minors.

Major League Debut in 1975

Squires debuted in MLB on September 1, 1975, with the White Sox. He only played a handful of games that rookie year while the team checked him out.

After his first call-up, Squires went back to the minors to keep developing. The White Sox wanted him to sharpen his game before he became a regular.

That first taste of the majors gave him some valuable experience. It helped him get ready for a bigger role down the line.

Full-Time Roster and Key Seasons

Squires joined the White Sox full-time in 1977 and stayed with them until 1985. He became a key defensive guy during the Tony La Russa years, especially during the 1983 AL West championship.

Career Statistics:

• Batting Average: .260
• Home Runs: 6
• RBIs: 141
• Games Played: 779

His defense earned him the American League Gold Glove Award at first base in 1981. Squires often came into games late when the White Sox needed to hang onto a lead.

From 1982 to 1984, the White Sox won at a .669 clip when Squires played. Without him, their record dropped to just .145—pretty wild, right? That’s the biggest winning percentage difference in baseball history over three seasons.

He made history by playing several positions as a lefty thrower. On May 4, 1980, he became the first left-handed catcher since 1958. He also played third base in 1983 and 1984, the first lefty to do that in at least 50 years.

His last MLB game was on September 24, 1985, wrapping up a decade-long career, all in Chicago.

Fielding Excellence and Gold Glove Recognition

Mike Squires made his name on defense, especially at first base. He won the Gold Glove in 1981 and anchored the White Sox infield for years.

Defensive Skills at First Base

Squires had fielding skills that really set him apart from other AL first basemen. He made tough plays look easy and always seemed to be in the right spot.

Some of his defensive strengths:

• Top fielding percentage among AL first basemen
• Quick, smooth footwork around the bag
• Soft, reliable hands for scooping low throws
• Smart positioning and instincts

From 1982 to 1984, Tony LaRussa often used Squires as a late-inning defensive sub. That move showed just how much the team trusted his glove in big moments.

In 1983, Squires actually led AL first basemen in fielding percentage, even though he only had 153 at-bats in 143 games. That stat says a lot about his value and LaRussa’s faith in him.

1981 Gold Glove Award

Squires won the American League Gold Glove at first base in 1981, which was the highlight of his defensive career. That award put him in the top tier of defensive players.

The Gold Glove recognized years of steady, outstanding defense. Squires edged out some talented rivals to grab the honor.

1981 Season Highlights:

• Excellent fielding percentage
• Barely any errors at first base
• Steady defense all year long
• Named the league’s best defensive first baseman

That Gold Glove really marked the peak of Squires’ career and locked in his legacy as one of the best defensive first basemen of his time.

Impact on Chicago White Sox Defense

Squires’ glove made the White Sox infield rock solid from 1975 to 1985. His steady play gave everyone else confidence.

Tony LaRussa often put Squires in late to protect leads. The White Sox could count on him to lock things down at first.

With Squires at first, the team could focus on getting offense from other spots. Knowing first base was covered let them get creative with the lineup.

Defensive contributions:

• Reliable glove year after year
• Leadership in the infield
• Helping younger teammates
• Defensive insurance in tight games

Squires’ fielding became a White Sox trademark during his career. He was one of the most dependable defenders the franchise ever had.

Unique and Historic Roles on the Field

Mike Squires did things most left-handed throwers just don’t do. He caught in the big leagues—the first lefty to do it in over 20 years—and played third base, which is almost unheard of for a lefty.

Left-Handed Catcher Appearances

He made history on May 4, 1980, by catching in the ninth inning of an 11-1 loss to the Brewers at Comiskey Park. That made him the first left-handed catcher in MLB since 1958.

It happened during a blowout, when Tony La Russa moved Squires from first base. He replaced Bruce Kimm behind the plate in a game that was already out of reach.

Just three days later, Squires caught again in another lopsided game. The White Sox were down 12-5 to the Royals in the ninth when he took over for Kimm.

These stints were all about making history. Lefty catchers have a tough time throwing to second because right-handed hitters get in the way.

Comparison to Dale Long

Dale Long was the last left-handed catcher before Squires, catching for the Pirates and Cubs in the 1950s.

The gap between Long and Squires shows how rare left-handed catchers are. Usually, lefties get moved to first or the outfield pretty early.

Squires’ catching appearances were more about the oddity than the need. He only caught in two games, both when the outcome was already decided.

Unlike Long, who actually caught a fair bit, Squires’ time behind the plate was just a footnote.

Third Base Contributions

On August 23, 1983, Squires played third base, the first lefty to do so in at least 50 years. He came in during the eighth inning of a 10-2 loss to Kansas City, taking over for Vance Law.

He played third 13 more times the next season, even starting four games there. So it wasn’t just a one-off.

Playing third base left-handed isn’t easy. The throw to first is awkward, and fielding bunts can be tricky.

Squires’ willingness to take on these roles showed his value as a utility guy. His defense and lefty arm made him useful in some unique situations, even if the positions weren’t a natural fit.

Offensive Performance and Statistical Overview

Mike Squires put up modest offensive numbers in his decade with the White Sox, batting .260 with 411 hits and just 6 home runs across 779 games. His best years with the bat were probably 1978 and 1980, but he was mostly a platoon player.

Career Batting Stats

Squires racked up 411 hits in 1,580 at-bats over 10 seasons from 1975 to 1985. His career line of .260/.321/.318 shows he was more of a contact hitter without much power.

He drove in 141 runs and scored 211 times. He hit 53 doubles, 10 triples, and just 6 home runs in his career.

His slugging percentage was only .318, which tells the story. Still, Squires had decent plate discipline—143 walks to 108 strikeouts.

Key Career Numbers:

• Batting Average: .260
• On-Base Percentage: .321
• Home Runs: 6
• RBIs: 141
• Stolen Bases: 45

Squires struck out just once every 14.6 at-bats, which is pretty impressive. His knack for making contact made him useful in certain spots, even if he wasn’t a power threat.

Best Hitting Seasons

Squires really hit his stride in 1980. He batted .283, picking up 97 hits in 343 at-bats over 131 games.

That season, he set career highs in a few areas. He knocked 11 doubles, 3 triples, and drove in 33 runs while scoring 38 times.

His 1978 numbers also jump off the page a bit. Squires hit .280, collecting 42 hits in 150 at-bats across 46 games.

In 1979, he played the most games of his career. He appeared in 122 contests, got 295 at-bats, and finished with 78 hits for a .264 average.

1980 Season Highlights:

• .283 batting average (career high)
• 97 hits in 343 at-bats
• 33 RBIs (career high)
• 11 doubles

After 1982, his offensive numbers really dropped off. By 1984, he hit just .183 in 82 at-bats.

Platoon System Participation

The Chicago White Sox often put Squires into platoon situations throughout his career. His knack for making contact made him a useful piece against certain pitchers.

When the team needed more defense at first base, Squires usually saw more time on the field. But his bat didn’t always keep him in the starting lineup, especially in his later years.

The platoon setup let Squires play to his strengths while avoiding tough matchups. In 1981, he played 92 games and hit .265, which kind of sums up how the system worked for him.

His role changed a lot from season to season. In 1983, he got into 143 games but only had 153 at-bats, so he spent a lot of time as a defensive sub or pinch hitter.

The White Sox moved him around the diamond, sometimes even putting him at third base or behind the plate. That flexibility definitely helped him stick around, even though his bat cooled off.

Retirement and Life After Baseball

Mike Squires wrapped up his 11-year Major League career in 1985. But he didn’t step away from the game—he moved right into coaching, scouting, and front office work.

He spent years helping organizations develop talent and fill out their rosters, always finding a way to stay connected to baseball.

Retirement in 1985

Squires played his last Major League game on September 24, 1985. He spent his whole career, from 1975 to 1985, with the Chicago White Sox.

His retirement closed out a pretty unusual playing run. He became the first left-handed catcher since 1958 and the first left-handed third baseman in more than 50 years.

He’d spent his entire pro career in the White Sox system after they picked him in the 18th round of the 1973 amateur draft. At 33, he called it a career as a .260 hitter, mostly known for his glove.

His final year capped off a run that included a Gold Glove in 1981 and some big moments during the White Sox’s 1983 division title season.

When the Sox clinched the Western Division in 1983, they picked Squires to raise the pennant flag. That was their way of honoring his 11 seasons with the team.

Coaching and Scouting Roles

After hanging up his spikes, Squires jumped right into coaching and scouting. He started out as a Toronto Blue Jays coach from 1989 to 1991, spending three years helping big leaguers get better.

Once his stint with Toronto ended, Squires headed back to the White Sox in 1992 as a coach. Returning to the team where he played his whole career had to feel pretty good.

From 1992 to 1994, he worked as a White Sox scout for two years, focusing on evaluating players and finding new talent. His background as a player gave him a sharp eye for defense and potential.

The St. Louis Cardinals brought him on as a scout from 1995 to 2008, which ended up being his longest post-playing gig. Over those 13 years, he played a big part in their scouting and player development efforts.

Contributions to Baseball Organizations

Squires really knew how to spot and develop talent. After he wrapped up his Cardinals scouting career in 2008, the Cincinnati Reds brought him on as a special assistant to General Manager Walt Jocketty. That move took him from working on the field and scouting right into the heart of organizational decision-making.

He brought serious defensive chops, especially with those Gold Glove skills at first base. Teams leaned on him to evaluate infield prospects and teach the basics of defense—something he clearly loved doing. Squires also played catcher and third base as a lefty, which is pretty rare, so he had a different perspective on what it means to be versatile in the field.

Over the years, Squires kept in touch with a lot of folks around baseball. He never really stepped away from the game, sticking around for decades and helping out with player development. Four different franchises got to benefit from his experience and commitment.