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

Mike Tyson the baseball player might share his name with a boxing legend, but his story belongs to baseball. Michael Ray Tyson played Major League Baseball from 1972 to 1981, mainly as a second baseman and shortstop for the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs. He retired after 1981, wrapping up his career with a .241 batting average. He was born January 13, 1950, in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Tyson built a solid, decade-long career in pro baseball during a time when the sport was really changing.

Tyson’s path through the majors is the story of a utility infielder who brought steady defense and the occasional offensive spark during his nine seasons. The Cardinals drafted him in the third round in 1970, and by the time he finished up with the Cubs in 1981, he’d experienced both the tough stretches and the high points of being a role player in MLB.

He never reached superstar status, but Tyson’s career shows how much teams need reliable players who do the little things to help win games. Not everybody gets their name in the headlines, but guys like Tyson keep the engine running.

From his debut with St. Louis in September 1972 to his release by Chicago in March 1982, Tyson played in 1,017 games. He had his share of memorable moments, but also faced the usual ups and downs of a journeyman player. His story gives a real look at what it’s like grinding out a career in one of the toughest sports.

Overview of Mike Tyson’s Baseball Career

Michael Ray Tyson spent nine seasons in Major League Baseball from 1972 to 1981, working as a reliable infielder for the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs. He mostly played second base and shortstop, wrapping up his career in Chicago before stepping away from the game.

Major League Debut and Early Years

The St. Louis Cardinals picked Mike Tyson in the third round of the 1970 MLB Draft. He was born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, and by the time he debuted in the majors, he was 22.

Tyson made his first MLB appearance on September 5, 1972, with the Cardinals. He quickly became a regular in the St. Louis lineup during the 1970s.

He spent his first eight seasons with the Cardinals. Coaches and teammates knew him for his defense and steady presence in the infield.

Tyson showed he could handle several infield spots. His best offensive year came in 1976, when he hit .286 and slugged .445, even though he missed a good chunk of the season with an injury.

Retirement in 1981 and Final MLB Season

After the 1979 season, the Cardinals traded Tyson to the Chicago Cubs for relief pitcher Donnie Moore. That trade changed the course of his career.

His last MLB season in 1981 with the Cubs didn’t go as planned. Tyson struggled at the plate in Chicago.

The Cubs released him on March 15, 1982. That’s when Tyson decided to retire. His final MLB game came on October 2, 1981, in a Cubs uniform.

By the end of his career, Tyson had a .241 batting average over 1,017 games. He hit 27 home runs and drove in 269 runs during his nine seasons.

Positions Played and Playing Style

Tyson mainly played second base and shortstop throughout his MLB career. A lot of baseball folks thought his glove work was underrated.

He finished in the top ten in the National League for defensive wins above replacement (dWAR) in both 1974 and 1977. That stat really shows how much his defense mattered.

Tyson batted and threw right-handed, which was pretty standard for middle infielders back then. He focused on defense more than offense, so teams valued him as a utility guy.

The Cardinals counted on his versatility to cover different infield spots. His reliable glove helped steady their defense for eight seasons.

Early Life and Amateur Baseball

Michael Ray Tyson was born January 13, 1950, in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. He learned the game there before moving on to college baseball at Indian River Junior College. Those early years shaped the defensive skills that would define his pro career.

Birthplace and Family Background

Tyson grew up in Rocky Mount, a small city with a strong baseball tradition. Back in the 1950s and 1960s, he was surrounded by people who cared about sports and hard work.

His family played a big part in his early life. The Tysons believed in discipline and sticking with things, lessons that helped Mike in baseball.

Rocky Mount’s baseball culture influenced Tyson as he developed as an athlete. The city had already produced some good players, so there was always a sense that baseball mattered.

Northern Nash High School Baseball Achievements

Tyson went to Northern Nash High School, where he quickly became a standout. His athletic ability and drive stood out to coaches and scouts.

He played mostly shortstop and second base in high school. Those positions let him show off his quick hands and strong arm—skills that would help him later on.

His high school performance got the attention of college recruiters. Tyson’s defense and hitting made him a solid prospect for junior college teams.

The coaches at Northern Nash saw his potential early. They worked with him on the basics, getting him ready for tougher competition.

College Baseball at Indian River Junior College

After high school, Tyson played baseball at Indian River Junior College in Florida. That move was pretty important for his development.

Junior college baseball gave Tyson tougher competition and better coaching. The program helped him sharpen his defense and work on his hitting.

He played enough and faced good enough opponents to catch the eyes of MLB scouts. That steady playing time made a difference.

His college years set him up for the pros. The St. Louis Cardinals picked him in the third round of the 1970 MLB Draft because of his performance there.

St. Louis Cardinals Tenure

Mike Tyson spent eight seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals from 1972 to 1979. He became a reliable defensive infielder in the National League. He went from a September call-up to a regular starter, and he built a good partnership with third baseman Ken Reitz.

Drafting and Entry to the Team

The Cardinals chose Michael Ray Tyson in the third round of the 1970 MLB Draft, making him the 60th overall pick. They drafted him out of Indian River State College in Florida, but he was originally from Rocky Mount, North Carolina.

Tyson spent two seasons in the minors before the Cardinals called him up in September 1972. He debuted on September 5, 1972, starting at second base against the Montreal Expos.

He didn’t get a hit in his first game, but his defense impressed people right away. His right-handed bat and glove made him a natural fit for the infield.

Key Seasons and Defensive Recognition

Tyson’s defense became his trademark during his years with the Cardinals. He finished in the NL’s top ten for dWAR in 1974 and 1977, which says a lot about his glove.

His best year at the plate was 1976, even though he missed about half the season with an injury. He still managed a .286 batting average and a .445 slugging percentage that year.

The Cardinals used Tyson as a regular starter through most of the 1970s. He played both second and shortstop, which gave the team some flexibility.

His steady defense helped keep the infield together while the Cardinals worked on building a better roster.

Relationship with Ken Reitz

Tyson and third baseman Ken Reitz formed a strong defensive duo during their time together. They worked well on double plays and infield positioning.

Reitz, who was also known for his glove, teamed up with Tyson to keep the infield tight. Their partnership gave pitchers confidence in the defense behind them.

The Tyson-Reitz combo was all about reliability. They weren’t flashy hitters, but their fielding made a real difference.

Tyson stayed with the Cardinals until 1979, when the team traded him to the Cubs for Donnie Moore. That ended his eight-year run in St. Louis.

Chicago Cubs Career and Later Years

Tyson’s move to Chicago in 1980 closed out his MLB career. He couldn’t quite recapture his earlier form with the Cubs, but he did reunite with Ken Reitz for one last season.

Trade to the Cubs and Performance

The Cardinals sent Tyson to the Cubs after the 1979 season, trading him for relief pitcher Donnie Moore. Ken Oberkfell had taken over at second base in St. Louis, making Tyson available.

Oberkfell hit .301 that year, so the Cardinals felt comfortable moving on. Tyson’s time with the Cubs didn’t go as well as he’d hoped.

He couldn’t put up the numbers the Cubs wanted. His struggles at the plate and in the field showed that his best days were probably behind him.

Role in the Infield and Team Dynamics

In 1981, Tyson got to play with Ken Reitz again, since Reitz had also joined the Cubs. They’d anchored the Cardinals’ infield together for years.

That reunion brought some familiarity, but it didn’t produce the same results they’d had in St. Louis.

The Cubs let Tyson go before the 1982 season, bringing his 10-year MLB career to a close. His last game was October 2, 1981.

Tyson’s son, Torre Tyson, later got into baseball too—playing, coaching, and managing in the minors.

Statistical Achievements and On-Field Performance

Mike Tyson’s MLB career lasted a decade, and he finished with a .241 batting average, 27 home runs, and 269 RBIs over 1,017 games. He earned a reputation for his defensive skills at shortstop and second base, especially during the mid-1970s.

Career Batting and Fielding Stats

Tyson’s offensive stats show he was more of a defensive specialist than a power hitter. He collected 714 hits in 2,959 at-bats while playing for the Cardinals and Cubs.

His top season at the plate came in 1976, even though he missed a lot of games. That year, he hit .286 and slugged .445.

Tyson’s real value came with his glove. He finished in the top ten in the National League for defensive wins above replacement in 1974 and 1977.

He anchored the Cardinals’ infield from 1972 through 1979. The team relied on his steady fielding during those years.

Notable Awards and Honors

Tyson didn’t pick up any major individual awards during his MLB career. Still, players and coaches across the National League respected his steady defense.

He landed in the top ten for defensive WAR in both 1974 and 1977. Those years marked his biggest individual highlights and really showed how much his glove mattered, even if he flew under the radar.

Baseball analysts often called Tyson a reliable fielder. He handled both shortstop and second base, which gave teams some flexibility in the infield.

He never put up flashy numbers. But Tyson stuck around the majors for a decade, mostly because teams trusted his defense, even when his bat wasn’t hot.

Legacy and Personal Life

Michael Ray Tyson made a quiet but real impact on baseball with his defense and steady presence. After he retired in 1981, he mostly stayed out of the public eye, which is kind of rare for ex-players.

Impact on Baseball Community

Mike Tyson’s baseball story really comes down to his defense during his nine years in the majors. He cracked the top ten in the National League for defensive wins above replacement (dWAR) in both 1974 and 1977, which says a lot about how much teams valued his glove at second and short.

He played at a time when teams cared a lot about defense-first guys. Tyson’s steady fielding helped keep the St. Louis Cardinals competitive through the 1970s. He held down the infield for eight seasons before moving to Chicago.

His stats show what kind of player he was—more about defense than offense. With a .241 career average, 27 home runs, and 269 RBIs, Tyson was one of those guys who made teams better by doing the little things right.

Life After Retirement

People don’t really know much about Michael Ray Tyson’s life after baseball. The Cubs released him on March 15, 1982, and that ended his pro career.

He decided to retire instead of trying his luck with another team. You don’t see him on TV or coaching like some other ex-players.

Tyson just slipped out of the spotlight. He made a conscious choice to keep his life private after baseball, something a lot of players probably wish they could do.

He was born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. After retiring, he most likely settled into a quieter, more ordinary routine.

His exit from the game was pretty understated, especially compared to the big send-offs some players get.