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Merv Rettenmund
Mervin Weldon Rettenmund (June 6, 1943 – December 7, 2024) was an American professional baseball player and coach. He played in Major League Baseball as an outfielder from 1968 through 1980, most notably as a member of the Baltimore Orioles dynasty that won three consecutive American League pennants from 1969 to 1971 and, won the World Series in 1970. Rettenmund also won world championships as a player for the Cincinnati Reds (1975) and as a coach for the Oakland Athletics (1989).
Rettenmund attended Flint Southwestern High School, where he played baseball and American 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 the Detroit Tigers of MLB. He accepted a football scholarship from Ball State University, so the school could sign more baseball players. He lettered in baseball and football, receiving all-league honors in both sports.
As a football player, he played at running back and wide 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). 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.
Rettenmund was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the 19th round (257th overall) of the 1965 NFL draft. Unbeknownst to the Cowboys, he had signed a professional baseball contract with the Baltimore Orioles of MLB one day earlier on November 28.
In 1965, he was assigned to the Single-A Stockton Ports to finish out the year. In 1966, he played in the California 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 the Venezuelan 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 1971 American League pennant, the 1970 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 the 1975 World Series and the Angels win the 1979 AL Western Division. He also served as hitting coach for the 1989 World Series champion Oakland Athletics, as well as the Athletics' 1990 A.L. pennant-winners, and the 1998 National League champion San Diego Padres.
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Merv Rettenmund
Mervin Weldon Rettenmund (June 6, 1943 – December 7, 2024) was an American professional baseball player and coach. He played in Major League Baseball as an outfielder from 1968 through 1980, most notably as a member of the Baltimore Orioles dynasty that won three consecutive American League pennants from 1969 to 1971 and, won the World Series in 1970. Rettenmund also won world championships as a player for the Cincinnati Reds (1975) and as a coach for the Oakland Athletics (1989).
Rettenmund attended Flint Southwestern High School, where he played baseball and American 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 the Detroit Tigers of MLB. He accepted a football scholarship from Ball State University, so the school could sign more baseball players. He lettered in baseball and football, receiving all-league honors in both sports.
As a football player, he played at running back and wide 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). 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.
Rettenmund was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the 19th round (257th overall) of the 1965 NFL draft. Unbeknownst to the Cowboys, he had signed a professional baseball contract with the Baltimore Orioles of MLB one day earlier on November 28.
In 1965, he was assigned to the Single-A Stockton Ports to finish out the year. In 1966, he played in the California 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 the Venezuelan 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 1971 American League pennant, the 1970 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 the 1975 World Series and the Angels win the 1979 AL Western Division. He also served as hitting coach for the 1989 World Series champion Oakland Athletics, as well as the Athletics' 1990 A.L. pennant-winners, and the 1998 National League champion San Diego Padres.