John Mizerock is a former professional baseball player who played as a catcher in the Major League Baseball (MLB) for over a decade. He was born on December 8, 1960, in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, and attended Punxsutawney Area High School, where he played baseball and football.
Mizerock was drafted by the Houston Astros in the first round of the 1979 MLB draft, and he made his professional debut in 1983. He spent most of his career as a backup catcher, playing for the Astros, the Atlanta Braves, and the Florida Marlins. He also played briefly for the Toronto Blue Jays and the Kansas City Royals.
Throughout his career, Mizerock was known for his defensive skills as a catcher. He was a solid receiver and had a strong arm, which helped him throw out baserunners attempting to steal. He was also a good handler of pitchers, and many of his teammates praised him for his ability to call a good game.
Offensively, Mizerock was not a standout player. He had a career batting average of .200 and hit only 5 home runs in over 400 at-bats. However, he was a reliable pinch-hitter and often came through in clutch situations.
Mizerock's best season came in 1987, when he played in a career-high 67 games for the Astros. He hit .231 with 2 home runs and 14 RBI, and he helped the team win the National League West division title. He also played in the 1987 National League Championship Series, where the Astros lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in six games.
After retiring from playing, Mizerock became a coach and manager in the minor leagues. He spent several years in the Astros organization, working as a catching instructor and a manager for their minor league teams. He also worked as a coach for the Kansas City Royals and the Miami Marlins.
In 2018, Mizerock was named the manager of the Lexington Legends, a Class A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. He led the team to a South Atlantic League championship in his first season as manager.
Overall, John Mizerock had a solid career as a catcher in the MLB. He was never a star player, but he was a reliable backup who was respected for his defensive skills and his ability to handle pitchers. After retiring from playing, he continued to work in baseball as a coach and manager, and he has had success in those roles as well.
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