Michael Frederick Billmeyer (born April 24, 1964) is a former baseball player who most recently served as the bullpen coach for theDetroit Tigers during the 2017 season. Mick now retired in Maryland.
Billmeyer was drafted by theBaltimore Orioles in the second round of the1985 Major League Baseball draft. As a catcher, he played in the Orioles,Texas Rangers, andCalifornia Angels organizations. Billmeyer played nine seasons in theminor leagues, mostly at theSingle-A level, and advanced as far asTriple-A.[1] He did not play in the Major Leagues. Early in his playing career, Billmeyer went by "Mickey", a shorthand form of his given name of Michael.[2] Later in his playing career, "Mickey" was shortened further to "Mick".[3]
Billmeyer began a career in coaching after his playing career came to an end. From 1994 to 1999 he was the bullpen/workout coordinator for the Angels. He joined the Phillies organization in 2000, working as a catching coordinator for the organization through the 2003 season. From 2004 to 2008 he served as the Phillies Major League catching coach, and then served as the bullpen coach from 2009 to 2012. For the 2013 season, Billmeyer returned to the role of major league catching coach. During his time with the Phillies, Billmeyer served under managersLarry Bowa,Gary Varsho,Charlie Manuel, andRyne Sandberg. As the catching coach, he was a member of the2008 World Series Championship team.
Following the 2013 season, the Phillies announced they would not be renewing Billmeyer's contract.[4]
On November 18, 2013, the Tigers announced the hiring of Billmeyer as their bullpen coach.[5]
| Preceded by | Detroit Tigersbullpen coach 2014–2017 | Succeeded by |
