Former MLB World Series Runner-Up Player and Former MLB Manager

Mike Matheny played for four different teams during his thirteen years in the major leagues. He was drafted out of the University of Michigan, (where he later earned his degree in Sports Management and Communications with a concentration in Spanish), playing for the Milwaukee Brewers from 1994 to 1998. Mike joined the Toronto Blue Jays in 1999, and then jumped to the St. Louis Cardinals in the year 2000.

While playing for the Cardinals, Matheny earned three Gold Glove Awards (2000, 2003, 2004) and went to the post-season in four of his five years with the team.

Signed by the San Francisco Giants to a three-year contract, Matheny won a Gold Glove Award in his first season for the Giants in 2005, while winning the prestigious Willie Mac award for his leadership and character. During their rich history, Mike was the first Giant to win the award in his first year as catcher for the team.

Considered one of the great defensive players in the Major Leagues over the last several years of his career, he was one of only three other catchers to play 100 games without a single error. His nickname, used by fans and broadcasters alike, was “The Toughest Man Alive,” after taking a 96mph fastball in the face and playing the next day.

This nickname caught up with him, and after a series of concussions Mike would not be allowed to return to the game. His style of hard-nosed play, that earned him the respect of his teammates, was ultimately the reason that his baseball career ended.

Hired as Cardinals Manager November 14, 2011, Matheny was the youngest in the major leagues at 41 years old. During his tenure with the Cardinals he won the NL Pennant (2013), won three Division Titles (2013, 2014, 2015), managed the 2014 NL All-Star team, finished 2nd in NL Manager of the Year in 2015, was the first manager in MLB history to go to the postseason in the first four seasons.

Matheny went on to serve as Special Advisor to Player Development for the Kansas City Royals and on October 31, 2019, was named their 17th Manager in franchise history.

Mike has been married to his wife, Kristin, for 29 years. They have 5 children and a growing family of grandchildren.

Mike and Kristin created the Catch 22 Foundation in 2003 with the primary goal of enriching the lives of disadvantaged youth by providing opportunities that would otherwise be unavailable to them. The earliest projects of the foundation included handicapped-accessible baseball fields. The first field was completed in 2005. After more than 19 years in operation, the foundation has helped to build three baseball fields and two playgrounds that are accessible to children of all abilities. The Catch 22 Foundation has also provided support to organizations such as the Fanconi Anemia Foundation, St. John’s Mercy Medical Center, GO Ministries, Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital, Little Patriots, United Services for Children and SEALKIDS.