Ken Oberkfell
Encyclopedia
Kenneth Raymond Oberkfell (born May 4, 1956, in Highland, Illinois
) 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. He also served as the manager of the New Orleans Zephyrs
from January 4, 2007 until June 17, 2008. He was named the New York Mets
bench coach for the 2011 season
, but was not hired back for 2012.
Signed by the St. Louis Cardinals
as an amateur free agent in 1975, Oberkfell would make his Major League Baseball debut with the St. Louis Cardinals on August 22, 1977, and appear in his final game on October 4, 1992. Oberkfell was a member of the 1982 World Series
Champion St. Louis Cardinals
, hitting .292 in that series. During his stint with the pennant winning San Francisco Giants
, the team held an Oberkfellfest in his honor at Candlestick Park.
After his retirement as a player in 1992, Oberkfell embarked on a successful managerial career that saw him named Minor League Manager of the Year by Baseball America
in 2005.
On June 17, 2008, he was promoted from his managerial position with the Mets' AAA New Orleans
affiliate to the Mets' first base coach, replacing Tom Nieto
.
During 2009 and 2010, Oberkfell managed the Mets' Triple-A farm team, the Buffalo Bisons
. On January 28, 2010, Oberkfell led the Leones del Escogido
to their 13th championship in the Dominican Baseball Winter League as their manager.
He was interviewed for the Mets managerial opening in November 2010. The Mets hired Terry Collins
and named Oberkfell bench coach for the 2011 season. On October 5th, 2011, Mets General Manager
Sandy Alderson
announced Oberkfell's dismissal as part of a larger coaching staff shakeup. He was later replaced by Bob Geren
.
and Bruce Sutter
. He told Neil Holfeld of the Houston Chronicle
in a May 17, 1985 story that, "the beards make us stand out from the clean cut Dale Murphy
types. Consider us a modern era House of David team."
Highland, Illinois
Highland is a city in Madison County, Illinois, United States. The population was 9,433 at the 2010 census. Highland began as a Swiss settlement and derived its name from later German immigrants.Highland is a sister city of Sursee in Switzerland....
) is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
former Major League Baseball
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...
third baseman
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
and ex-coach
Coach (baseball)
In baseball, a number of coaches assist in the smooth functioning of a team. They are assistants to the manager, or head coach, who determines the lineup and decides how to substitute players during the game...
for 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...
. 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. He also served as the manager of the New Orleans Zephyrs
New Orleans Zephyrs
The New Orleans Zephyrs are a minor league baseball team based in Metairie, Louisiana, a suburb of New Orleans. The Zephyrs play in the Pacific Coast League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. The Zephyrs play their home games at Zephyr Field....
from January 4, 2007 until June 17, 2008. He was named 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...
bench coach for the 2011 season
2011 New York Mets season
The New York Mets' 2011 season was the franchise's 50th season and its third at Citi Field. Following a poor 2010 season, the Mets attempted seek their first postseason appearance since 2006...
, but was not hired back for 2012.
Signed by 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...
as an amateur free agent in 1975, Oberkfell would make his Major League Baseball debut with the St. Louis Cardinals on August 22, 1977, and appear in his final game on October 4, 1992. Oberkfell was a member of the 1982 World Series
1982 World Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 12, 1982 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, MissouriThe Brewers' left-hander Mike Caldwell pitched a complete game shutout, allowing only three hits. The Brewers' offense was led by Paul Molitor, who had a World Series-record five hits and two RBIs...
Champion 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...
, hitting .292 in that series. During his stint with the pennant winning San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
, the team held an Oberkfellfest in his honor at Candlestick Park.
After his retirement as a player in 1992, Oberkfell embarked on a successful managerial career that saw him named Minor League Manager of the Year by Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
in 2005.
On June 17, 2008, he was promoted from his managerial position with the Mets' AAA New Orleans
New Orleans Zephyrs
The New Orleans Zephyrs are a minor league baseball team based in Metairie, Louisiana, a suburb of New Orleans. The Zephyrs play in the Pacific Coast League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. The Zephyrs play their home games at Zephyr Field....
affiliate to the Mets' first base coach, replacing Tom Nieto
Tom Nieto
Thomas Andrew Nieto is a former Major League Baseball catcher and former manager of the Rochester Red Wings, the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. Nieto previously served as the New York Mets' bench coach and catching instructor. A native of Downey, California, Nieto attended Oral Roberts...
.
During 2009 and 2010, Oberkfell managed the Mets' Triple-A farm team, the Buffalo Bisons
Buffalo Bisons
The Buffalo Bisons are a minor league baseball team based in Buffalo, New York. They currently play in the International League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets...
. On January 28, 2010, Oberkfell led the Leones del Escogido
Leones del Escogido
Leones del Escogido are a professional baseball team in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Established in , Leones are the third most successful teams from the Dominican Winter League, behind Tigres del Licey and Aguilas Cibaeñas, having won 13 national championships and 3 Caribbean Series.Leones...
to their 13th championship in the Dominican Baseball Winter League as their manager.
He was interviewed for the Mets managerial opening in November 2010. The Mets hired Terry Collins
Terry Collins
Terry Lee Collins is the manager for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball. A former minor league shortstop, Collins managed the Albuquerque Dukes of the Pacific Coast League, the Buffalo Bisons of the International League, the Duluth Huskies of the summer collegiate Northwoods League, and...
and named Oberkfell bench coach for the 2011 season. On October 5th, 2011, Mets General Manager
General manager (baseball)
In Major League Baseball, the general manager of a team typically controls player transactions and bears the primary responsibility on behalf of the ballclub during contract discussions with players....
Sandy Alderson
Sandy Alderson
Richard Lynn "Sandy" Alderson is the general manager of the New York Mets. He previously served as an executive with the Oakland Athletics, San Diego Padres and the commissioner's office of Major League Baseball....
announced Oberkfell's dismissal as part of a larger coaching staff shakeup. He was later replaced by Bob Geren
Bob Geren
Robert Peter Geren is a former Major League Baseball catcher and manager. During a 5-year playing career, he played for the New York Yankees and the San Diego Padres . He managed the Oakland Athletics from 2007 through 2011...
.
Famous beard
Oberkfell was part of the "Bearded Braves" triumvirate along with Glenn HubbardGlenn Hubbard (baseball)
Glenn Dee Hubbard is a former first base coach for the Atlanta Braves and second baseman in Major League Baseball who played from 1978 to 1989...
and Bruce Sutter
Bruce Sutter
Howard Bruce Sutter is a former Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher. He was arguably the first pitcher to make effective use of the splitter....
. He told Neil Holfeld of the Houston Chronicle
Houston Chronicle
The Houston Chronicle is the largest daily newspaper in Texas, USA, headquartered in the Houston Chronicle Building in Downtown Houston. , it is the ninth-largest newspaper by circulation in the United States...
in a May 17, 1985 story that, "the beards make us stand out from the clean cut Dale Murphy
Dale Murphy
Dale Bryan Murphy is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and first baseman. During an 18-year baseball career, 1976–1993, he played for three different teams, but is noted for his time with the Atlanta Braves...
types. Consider us a modern era House of David team."