Mickey Tettleton | |||
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Catcher | |||
Born: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma |
September 16, 1960 |||
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MLB debut | |||
June 30, 1984, for the Oakland Athletics | |||
Last MLB appearance | |||
July 2, 1997, for the Texas Rangers | |||
MLB statistics | |||
Batting average | .241 | ||
Home runs | 245 | ||
Runs batted in | 732 | ||
Teams | |||
Career highlights and awards | |||
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Mickey Lee Tettleton (born September 16, 1960, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma), is an American former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball for the Oakland Athletics, Baltimore Orioles, Detroit Tigers, and Texas Rangers. Although Tettleton played mostly as a catcher, he also played as a first baseman, an outfielder, and as a designated hitter.
Tettleton was named after Baseball Hall of Fame member and fellow Oklahoman, Mickey Mantle. Like the former Yankee star, Tettleton was a switch hitter. He was recognized for having an unusual batting stance: he stood almost straight up at the plate, holding his bat horizontal and bending only when the pitcher began his delivery. He was also distinguished by the huge wad of chewing tobacco he kept in his cheek during games, as well as his claim that Froot Loops were the source of his hitting power.
Tettleton grew up in Oklahoma City, where he attended Southeast High School before enrolling at Oklahoma State University. He played for the Oklahoma State Cowboys baseball team that reached the finals in the 1981 College World Series, before losing to the Arizona State Sun Devils. Tettleton was named to the 1981 College World Series All-Tournament Team as an outfielder.