Mike Birkbeck was a professional baseball player who played as a pitcher in the Major League Baseball (MLB) for several teams. He was born on March 18, 1960, in Orrville, Ohio, and attended the University of Akron, where he played college baseball.
Birkbeck began his professional baseball career in 1983 when he was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the second round of the MLB draft. He spent several years in the minor leagues, playing for various teams, before making his MLB debut in 1986 with the Brewers.
During his career, Birkbeck played for several teams, including the Brewers, the New York Mets, the Detroit Tigers, and the Seattle Mariners. He was primarily used as a relief pitcher, although he did start some games as well.
Birkbeck's best season came in 1992 when he played for the Tigers. He appeared in 50 games that season, posting a 7-3 record with a 2.95 earned run average (ERA). He also recorded two saves and struck out 51 batters in 64 innings pitched.
Overall, Birkbeck played in 177 MLB games, posting a career record of 19-18 with a 4.39 ERA. He recorded 10 saves and struck out 214 batters in 342 innings pitched.
After his playing career ended, Birkbeck remained involved in baseball as a coach and instructor. He worked as a pitching coach for several minor league teams, including the West Michigan Whitecaps and the Great Lakes Loons.
In addition to his baseball career, Birkbeck was also a standout athlete in high school, where he excelled in football, basketball, and baseball. He was inducted into the Orrville High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008.
Overall, Mike Birkbeck had a solid career as a professional baseball player, playing for several teams over the course of nearly a decade. While he was never a star player, he was a reliable pitcher who contributed to his teams' success.
⚾