Mick Kelleher

As a minor leaguer with the Tulsa Oilers in 1972, Kelleher set an American Association record for shortstops with a .979 fielding percentage.[1]

Kelleher's contract was sold by the Cardinals to the Astros on October 26, 1973.[2]

Perhaps Kelleher's most famous moment as a Major Leaguer came as a Cub in 1977. That August 7, in the second game of a doubleheader against the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field, Kelleher, at 5–9 and 170 pounds, responded to Dave Kingman's hard slide into him on a double play attempt (Kingman was apparently angered over being hit by a Steve Renko pitch) by jumping on the 6–6, 210-pound Kingman's back and pummeling him with blows; the ensuing bench-clearing brawl resulted in the ejections of both players. The two became teammates the following season, after Kingman signed with the Cubs as a free agent.

In 11 seasons, Kelleher was an infielder for the St. Louis Cardinals (1972–73 and 1975), Houston Astros (1974), Chicago Cubs (1976–80), Detroit Tigers (1981–82) and California Angels (1982). He was a member of the 1982 AL Western Division Champions, playing mostly shortstop and hitting .163 in 49 at bats. He did not appear in the playoffs. Playing in 622 games, Kelleher recorded a career .213 batting average in 1,081 at bats. He is the most recently retired non-pitcher to have more than 1,000 at-bats and no home runs.

Kelleher consistently worked in major league baseball after his playing career ended. He was a minor league coach and a scout. He also served as a first base coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1986 and for the Detroit Tigers from 2003 to 2005.[3] Prior to being named first base coach for the Yankees, he was a defensive coordinator for the Yankees’ minor league system. His main assignment with the Yankees was originally to monitor the development of Robinson Canó, whom he coached in the minor leagues.[4] He spent six seasons as the team's first base coach, and was a member of their coaching staff during the 2009 World Series.

On October 10, the Yankees announced Kelleher would not return for the 2015 season.[5] Kelleher subsequently retired from baseball on October 20.[6]