Rick Dempsey is a former American professional baseball player who played as a catcher for various teams during his career. He was born on September 13, 1949, in Fayetteville, Tennessee, and grew up in Tennessee and Florida. Dempsey began his baseball career in high school, where he played as a catcher and was named the Florida High School Player of the Year in 1967.

After high school, Dempsey was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 15th round of the 1967 Major League Baseball draft. He made his Major League debut with the Twins in 1969 and played with the team until 1976. During his time with the Twins, Dempsey was known for his strong arm and defensive skills as a catcher.

In 1976, Dempsey was traded to the New York Yankees, where he played for two seasons before being traded to the Baltimore Orioles in 1978. It was with the Orioles that Dempsey had the most success of his career. He played with the team for ten seasons and was a key player on the Orioles' 1983 World Series championship team.

Dempsey was known for his leadership and work ethic, and he was a fan favorite in Baltimore. He was also known for his defensive skills, and he won the Gold Glove Award in 1980. In addition to his defensive skills, Dempsey was also a solid hitter, and he hit a career-high .318 in 1982.

After leaving the Orioles in 1988, Dempsey played for several other teams, including the Cleveland Indians, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Milwaukee Brewers. He retired from baseball in 1992 at the age of 42.

After his playing career, Dempsey became a coach and broadcaster. He worked as a coach for several teams, including the Orioles, Seattle Mariners, and Los Angeles Dodgers. He also worked as a broadcaster for the Orioles and as a studio analyst for ESPN.

Throughout his career, Dempsey was known for his hard work, dedication, and leadership. He was a respected player and coach, and he was inducted into the Orioles Hall of Fame in 1999. Today, Dempsey is retired and lives in Maryland with his family.