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| Merv Rettenmund | |
|---|---|
 Rettenmund in 1971 | |
| Outfielder | |
| Born:(1943-06-06)June 6, 1943 Flint, Michigan, U.S. | |
| Died: December 7, 2024(2024-12-07) (aged 81) San Diego, California, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| April 14, 1968, for the Baltimore Orioles | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| June 22, 1980, for the California Angels | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .271 |
| Home runs | 66 |
| Runs batted in | 329 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
As player
As coach | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Mervin Weldon Rettenmund (June 6, 1943 – December 7, 2024) was an American professionalbaseball player andcoach. He played inMajor League Baseball as anoutfielder from 1968 through 1980, most notably as a member of theBaltimore Orioles dynasty that won three consecutiveAmerican League pennants from 1969 to 1971 and, won theWorld Series in 1970. Rettenmund also won world championships as a player for theCincinnati Reds (1975) and as a coach for theOakland Athletics (1989).
Rettenmund attended Flint Southwestern High School, where he playedbaseball andAmerican football. In the summer after his senior year, he played as a catcher for the Buick Colts of the Michigan American Legion, contributing to the team winning the city and state championships. He turned down a contract offer from theDetroit Tigers ofMLB. He accepted a football scholarship fromBall State University, so the school could sign morebaseball players. Helettered inbaseball and football, receiving all-league honors in both sports.
As a football player, he played atrunning back andwide receiver. As a senior, he only played in 3 games after suffering a severe ankle sprain. He set the school career record for rushing yards per attempt: 7.6 yards (on 161 career carries).[1] In baseball, he was a two-time All-Indiana Collegiate Conference selection. He set the school career home run record.
In 1976, he was inducted into the Ball State Athletics Hall of Fame.[2]
Rettenmund was selected by theDallas Cowboys in the 19th round (257th overall) of the1965 NFL draft. Unbeknownst to the Cowboys, he had signed a professionalbaseball contract with theBaltimore Orioles ofMLB one day earlier on November 28.[1]
In 1965, he was assigned to the Single-AStockton Ports to finish out the year. In 1966, he played in theCalifornia League and received All-Star honors after hitting .307 with 21 home runs in 127 games.
In 1967, he hit .286, before suffering a separated shoulder late in the summer. He played in theVenezuelan Professional Baseball League during winter.
In 1968, he received the Minor League Player-of-the-Year award. He helped the Orioles win the 1969 and 1971American League pennant, the1970 World Series (including hitting a home run in the deciding Game 5 over the Cincinnati Reds) and the 1973 AL Eastern Division, the Reds win the1975 World Series and the Angels win the 1979 AL Western Division. He also served as hitting coach for the1989 World Series championOakland Athletics, as well as the Athletics' 1990 A.L. pennant-winners, and the 1998 National League championSan Diego Padres.
He finished 19th in voting for the 1971 American League Most Valuable Player Award after compiling a .318 batting average (which was third-best in the American League), with 11 home runs, 75 runs batted in, and 81 runs scored.
After the trade ofFrank Robinson to theLos Angeles Dodgers in early December 1971, Rettenmund began the1972 season as the Orioles' startingright fielder. By1973, he was out of the starting lineup due to injuries, prolonged batting slumps and the emergence ofAl Bumbry andRich Coggins.[3] Rettenmund, along withJunior Kennedy and Bill Wood, was sent to theCincinnati Reds forRoss Grimsley and Wally Williams on December 4, 1973.[4]
After posting his two best seasons in 1970 and 1971, his production steadily declined to the end of his career in 1980. His batting average after the 1971 season stood at a solid .306 with 35 home runs and 165 RBI, but from 1972-80 he hit only .246 with 31 home runs and 164 RBI. He was an effectivepinch hitter, batting .276 (66-for-239) with 5 home runs and 39 RBI.[5]
In 13 seasons, he played in 1,023 games and finished with a .271 batting average, 66 home runs and 329 runs batted in. He recorded a .985 fielding percentage while playing all three outfield positions.
After his major league playing career, Rettenmund served as hitting coach for theTexas Rangers (1983–85), the Athletics (1989–90), the Padres (1991–99), theAtlanta Braves (2000–01), and theDetroit Tigers (2002).
After three years out of the majors, Rettenmund returned as hitting coach of the Padres in June 2006, replacingDave Magadan. However, he was replaced on July 31, 2007, byWally Joyner.[6]
Rettenmund later resided inSan Diego, California. He died there on December 7, 2024, at the age of 81.[7]
