Mike aspires to change the culture of youth sports to provide the greatest impact to kids, their character, and their communities.
> READ A WELCOME LETTER
> LEER UNA CARTA DE BIENVENIDA EN ESPAÑOL
The Matheny Manifesto
"...this is ALL about the kids."
Get the Book
Out in Stores February 3rd
Download the Matheny Manifesto
Mike in the Community
Mike believes that the definition of a successful life HAS to include serving others.
Learn how he helps serve in the community.
Latest Blog Posts...
-
Jun 27, 2018
-
Jun 7, 2018
-
Apr 5, 2018
-
Mar 28, 2018
-
Mar 12, 2018
About Mike
The Early Years
Mike Matheny played for four different teams during his thirteen years in the major leagues. Drafted out of the University of Michigan, (where he later earned his degree in Sports Management and Communications with a concentration in Spanish.) Matheny played for the Milwaukee Brewers from 1994 to 1998, the Toronto Blue Jays in 1999, and the St. Louis Cardinals from 2000 to 2004. While playing for the Cardinals, Matheny won three Gold Glove Awards (2000, 2003, 2004) and went to the postseason in four of his five years with the team. Signed by the San Francisco Giants to a three-year contract, Matheny won a Gold Glove Award in his first season for the Giants in 2005, while winning the prestigious Willie Mac award for his leadership and character. The only first year Giant in their rich history to win the award.
The Tough Veteran
Considered one of the great defensive players in the Major Leagues over the last several years of his career, he was one of only three other catchers to play 100 games without a single error. His nickname, used by fans and broadcasters alike, was “The Toughest Man Alive,” after taking a 96mph fastball in the face and he played the next day.
The End of Catching
Mike Matheny’s career ended after a series of concussions that would not allow him to return. His style of hard-nosed play, that earned him the respect of his teammates, was ultimately the reason that his baseball career ended. Matheny took his first steps in retirement by speaking to audiences about the dangers of head injuries and helping to develop uniform base line testing that is used in all professional organizations today.
Manager of the St. Louis Cardinals
Matheny returned to the St. Louis Cardinals organization as rookie manager after the team won the 2011 World Series under Tony LaRussa. Mike was greeted with an incredible first season as a manager, taking the young team under his new leadership all the way to the brink of the 2012 World Series.
The Matheny Manifesto
The Origin
Mike was asked to coach a youth baseball team and wrote a series of conditions he demanded before agreeing to be with the team. The document was quickly shared virally across the country, at the youth level, high school, college and beyond….and became known as the “Matheny Manifesto.”
The Philosophy
It is about respect, ownership, self motivation and no-nonsense sportsmanship, that all go into the definition of CHARACTER displayed on a playing field. Mike wants to share it to help players, parents and coaches know how best to work together.
Get the Manifesto
>View/Download the Manifesto (pdf)
>Ver / Descargar el Manifiesto en Español (pdf)
Got it?...Share your experience
The Book: The Matheny Manifesto
Mike Matheny was just 41 and without professional managerial experience when he succeeded the legendary Tony LaRussa as skipper of the St. Louis Cardinals in 2012. While he has enjoyed immediate success, leading the Cards to the postseason three times in his first three years, people have noticed something else in Matheny's life, and unlike baseball, it’s not measured in day-to-day results. It's based on a frankly worded letter he wrote to the parents of a little league team he coached, a letter that became an internet sensation and eventually a “manifesto.”
Mike's Blog
-
May 25, 2013READ MORE >Jackie Robinson was more than a pioneer, and courageous athlete, he was the hope for countless people who believed in a better way.
-
May 21, 2013READ MORE >I think that we all want to be successful, and we can all get distracted by things that seem to be very important.
-
May 15, 2013READ MORE >Detroit Tigers Manager Jim Leyland shares his advice to parents in youth sports.
-
May 12, 2013READ MORE >Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there, and a special thank-you to the baseball moms.
-
May 9, 2013READ MORE >We all remember the kid that we grew up with, that was an absolute "Man Child" at the age of 12.........
Pages
Mike in the Community
The Catch22 Foundation
Ten years of making a difference in the lives of disadvantaged kids in the St. Louis area.
The Catch 22 Foundation is a non-profit that Mike and his wife, Kristin started in 2003. The primary goal for this charity was to simply give back.
The first goal was to build a handicapped accessible baseball field, which was completed in 2005 and currently has over 100 kids playing league and tournament games annually. Now, in its tenth year, the foundation has raised funds for their third handicapped field; one in Chesterfield, MO, one in Fairview Heights, IL, and one in St. Louis, at Rankin Jordan Pediatric Hospital.
The foundation has also given funds to the Fanconi Anemia Foundation and raised funds to provide rehabilitation equipment for St Johns Mercy Hospital and their pediatric cancer facility. The Catch 22 Foundation has been able to use the platform that baseball has provided to Mike to filter the generous donations from community members and give dollars straight to the needs of disadvantaged kids.




Contact Mike
Stay in Touch
With Mike
If you have other questions or want to request Mike for a public appearance, event, benefit, etc. please contact our management team with this form and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
