Mike Jorgensen
Encyclopedia
Michael Jorgensen is a former Major League Baseball
player drafted by the New York Mets
in the fourth round of the 1966 Major League Baseball Draft
. He currently works in the Cardinals front office.
as a September call-up in at only 20-years-old. He wasn't part of the World Series championship team
as he spent that entire season in the minors. On April 5, , he was traded with Tim Foli
and Ken Singleton
to the Montreal Expos
for Rusty Staub
. It was in Montreal
where Jorgensen enjoyed his greatest success. In , he earned his only Gold Glove Award
as a first baseman
(though he played some outfield
also throughout his career). It was also the only time between 1967 and 1977 that a Los Angeles Dodger
first baseman did not win the Gold Glove Award. Jorgensen broke Wes Parker
's six-year run from 1967-72 (after which season Parker retired from Major League Baseball), and Steve Garvey
won the Award from 1974-77. In , he broke the Expos' single season on-base percentage record with .444. In , he enjoyed his most productive season with the bat—clubbing 18 home runs, and driving in 67 runs.
He became expendable when the Expos acquired future hall of fame
first baseman Tony Pérez
and was traded to the Oakland Athletics
at the start of the season. Following one season with the A's, he signed as a free agent with the Texas Rangers
.
by a pitch from Boston Red Sox
pitcher
Andy Hassler
. Dave Roberts needed to come into the game to pinch run for Jorgensen, and Pat Putnam
took over as the Rangers' regular first baseman for the next month. Excluding one pinch hitting appearance on May 31, he didn't play again until July 1. After suffering headaches, it was discovered he had a small blood clot inside his head, which apparently caused a seizure, and could have resulted in his early demise. Following the season, he was traded back to the Mets to complete a mid-season deal where the Mets had sent Willie Montanez
to the Rangers for two players to be named later
(the other player the Mets received was pitcher Ed Lynch).
During the first-ever fireworks night hosted at Shea Stadium
on July 4, , Montreal Expos Rookie Bill Gullickson
sailed a pitch over Jorgensen's head in the second game of a doubleheader
. Having been the victim of one of the worst beanball injuries in baseball history the previous season, Jorgensen didn't appreciate this, and motioned toward Gullickson his disapproval. Mets catcher
John Stearns
, who wasn't even in the line-up for this game, charged out of the dugout and welcomed Gullickson to the majors by slamming him to the ground.
the day they acquired first baseman Keith Hernandez
from the St. Louis Cardinals
for pitchers Neil Allen
and Rick Ownbey
. A year to the day later, the Braves traded him with Ken Dayley
to the St. Louis Cardinals for Ken Oberkfell
. With the Cardinals, he reached the World Series
for the first time in his career in . It was also the final season of his career. Coincidentally, Andy Hassler was also a member of this team. This was also his first World Series and the final year of his career.
's firing as manager
of the Cardinals, he finished the season as their interim manager. He managed the Cardinals to a 42-54 win-loss record.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player drafted by the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
in the fourth round of the 1966 Major League Baseball Draft
1966 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1966 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :A January free agent amateur draft was added for the first time in 1966. Ninety-five prospects were selected in the regular phase and 102 in the secondary phase of the...
. He currently works in the Cardinals front office.
Early career
Jorgensen was the fifth youngest player in the major leagues when he made his major league debut with the New York MetsNew York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
as a September call-up in at only 20-years-old. He wasn't part of the World Series championship team
1969 New York Mets season
The New York Mets season was the eighth season for the Mets franchise, which played its home games at Shea Stadium. Managed by Gil Hodges, the team went 100-62, finishing first in the newly-established National League East by eight games over the Chicago Cubs...
as he spent that entire season in the minors. On April 5, , he was traded with Tim Foli
Tim Foli
Timothy John Foli , nicknamed Crazy Horse, is a former shortstop in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Mets, Montreal Expos, San Francisco Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates, California Angels and New York Yankees from to...
and Ken Singleton
Ken Singleton
Kenneth Wayne Singleton is an American former professional baseball player and current television sports commentator. He played as an outfielder and designated hitter in Major League Baseball for the New York Mets, Montreal Expos, and Baltimore Orioles.-Baseball career:Born in Manhattan, New York...
to the Montreal Expos
Montreal Expos
The Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
for Rusty Staub
Rusty Staub
Daniel Joseph "Rusty" Staub is an American former Major League Baseball right fielder, designated hitter, and first baseman. He enjoyed a 23-year baseball career with 5 different teams...
. It was in Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
where Jorgensen enjoyed his greatest success. In , he earned his only Gold Glove Award
Gold Glove Award
The Rawlings Gold Glove Award, usually referred to as the Gold Glove, is the award given annually to the Major League Baseball players judged to have exhibited superior individual fielding performances at each fielding position in both the National League and the American League , as voted by the...
as a first baseman
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
(though he played some outfield
Outfield
The outfield is a sporting term used in cricket and baseball to refer to the area of the field of play further from the batsman or batter than the infield...
also throughout his career). It was also the only time between 1967 and 1977 that a Los Angeles Dodger
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
first baseman did not win the Gold Glove Award. Jorgensen broke Wes Parker
Wes Parker
Maurice Wesley Parker III is a former first baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the Los Angeles Dodgers from to...
's six-year run from 1967-72 (after which season Parker retired from Major League Baseball), and Steve Garvey
Steve Garvey
Steven Patrick Garvey , nicknamed "Mr. Clean" because of the squeaky clean image he held throughout his career in baseball, is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and current Southern California businessman...
won the Award from 1974-77. In , he broke the Expos' single season on-base percentage record with .444. In , he enjoyed his most productive season with the bat—clubbing 18 home runs, and driving in 67 runs.
He became expendable when the Expos acquired future hall of fame
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is an American history museum and hall of fame, located at 25 Main Street in Cooperstown, New York, operated by private interests serving as the central point for the study of the history of baseball in the United States and beyond, the display of...
first baseman Tony Pérez
Tony Pérez
Atanasio Pérez Rigal , more commonly known as Tony Pérez, is a former Major League Baseball player. He was also known by the nickname "Big Dog," "Big Doggie," and "Doggie."...
and was traded to the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
at the start of the season. Following one season with the A's, he signed as a free agent with the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
.
Beanball
On Monday, May 28, , Jorgensen was hit in the headBeanball
"Beanball" is a colloquialism used in baseball, for a ball thrown at an opposing player with the intention of striking him such as to cause harm, often connoting a throw at the player's head...
by a pitch from Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
Andy Hassler
Andy Hassler
Andrew Earl Hassler was a Major League pitcher for the California Angels , Kansas City Royals , Boston Red Sox , New York Mets , Pittsburgh Pirates and St...
. Dave Roberts needed to come into the game to pinch run for Jorgensen, and Pat Putnam
Pat Putnam
Patrick Edward Putnam , is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. He played eight seasons in the majors from until .-Texas Rangers:...
took over as the Rangers' regular first baseman for the next month. Excluding one pinch hitting appearance on May 31, he didn't play again until July 1. After suffering headaches, it was discovered he had a small blood clot inside his head, which apparently caused a seizure, and could have resulted in his early demise. Following the season, he was traded back to the Mets to complete a mid-season deal where the Mets had sent Willie Montanez
Willie Montañez
Guillermo Montañez Naranjo is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. Even though he was productive, Montañez often carried the label "hot dog" for the whimsical manner in which he approached the game. After hitting home runs, he would trot very slowly around the bases, shuffling his feet on...
to the Rangers for two players to be named later
Player to be named later
The concept of the "player to be named later" is most often associated with Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball trades.-Description:...
(the other player the Mets received was pitcher Ed Lynch).
During the first-ever fireworks night hosted at Shea Stadium
Shea Stadium
William A. Shea Municipal Stadium, usually shortened to Shea Stadium or just Shea , was a stadium in the New York City borough of Queens, in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park. It was the home baseball park of Major League Baseball's New York Mets from 1964 to 2008...
on July 4, , Montreal Expos Rookie Bill Gullickson
Bill Gullickson
William Lee Gullickson is a former major league baseball pitcher who played for six different major-league teams, in Canada, the U.S...
sailed a pitch over Jorgensen's head in the second game of a doubleheader
Doubleheader (baseball)
A doubleheader is a set of two baseball games played between the same two teams on the same day in front of the same crowd. In addition, the term is often used unofficially to refer to a pair of games played by a team in a single day, but in front of different crowds and not in immediate...
. Having been the victim of one of the worst beanball injuries in baseball history the previous season, Jorgensen didn't appreciate this, and motioned toward Gullickson his disapproval. Mets catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
John Stearns
John Stearns
John Hardin Stearns is a former major league catcher who played for the New York Mets from to , and played a single game for the Philadelphia Phillies in ....
, who wasn't even in the line-up for this game, charged out of the dugout and welcomed Gullickson to the majors by slamming him to the ground.
First post-season
Jorgensen's second go around with the Mets lasted until June 15, . The Mets sold him to the Atlanta BravesAtlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
the day they acquired first baseman Keith Hernandez
Keith Hernandez
Keith Barlow Hernandez is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. He is currently a baseball analyst working for the New York Mets, for whom he played from –, on SportsNet New York and WPIX television broadcasts...
from the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
for pitchers Neil Allen
Neil Allen
Neil Patrick Allen is a former Major League Baseball pitcher currently serving as pitching coach for the Triple-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays, the Durham Bulls.-New York Mets:...
and Rick Ownbey
Rick Ownbey
Richard Wayne Ownbey is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He played in parts of four seasons in the majors, between and , for the New York Mets and St...
. A year to the day later, the Braves traded him with Ken Dayley
Ken Dayley
Kenneth Grant Dayley is a former professional baseball player. A left-handed pitcher, Dayley played all or part of eleven seasons in Major League Baseball between 1982 and 1993.- Braves :...
to the St. Louis Cardinals for Ken Oberkfell
Ken Oberkfell
Kenneth Raymond Oberkfell is an American former Major League Baseball third baseman and ex-coach for the New York Mets. He played from 1977-1992 for six different teams. Oberkfell primarily played third base but was also known to play second base and both corner outfield positions...
. With the Cardinals, he reached the World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
for the first time in his career in . It was also the final season of his career. Coincidentally, Andy Hassler was also a member of this team. This was also his first World Series and the final year of his career.
Cardinals manager
Following Joe TorreJoe Torre
Joseph Paul Torre is a former American professional baseball player and manager who currently serves as Major League Baseball’s Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations. A nine-time All-Star, he played in Major League Baseball as a catcher, first baseman and a third baseman for the...
's firing as manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
of the Cardinals, he finished the season as their interim manager. He managed the Cardinals to a 42-54 win-loss record.