Oklahoma Christian University assistant baseball coach and former major league standout Mickey Tettleton was inducted into the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame on Feb. 19 as one of seven members announced in the 2019 class.
Tettleton was accompanied by former University of Oklahoma football coach Bob Stoops, former NFL player Will Shields, Olympic gold medalist Kendall Cross, former New Mexico State and University of Illinois basketball coach Lou Henson, former Major League baseball player Mike Moore and current University of Oklahoma softball coach Patty Gasso.
Tettleton said the recognition he has received is exceedingly meaningful, and he is proud to be inducted alongside some of Oklahoma’s greatest names.
“It is a tremendous honor,” Tettleton said. “To be able to go into it with the class of people that I did this year, with the other inductees, it is just a very humbling experience.”
Tettleton, who joined the Eagles coaching staff this spring, reached the big leagues in 1984 and continued playing until his retirement in 1997. In his 13-year career, Tettleton served stretches with the Oakland A’s, Baltimore Orioles, Detroit Tigers and Texas Rangers. He was declared an All-Star on two separate occasions, once with the Orioles in 1989 and once with the Tigers in 1994. He was named a Silver Slugger in 1989, 1991 and 1992.
Oklahoma Christian head baseball coach Lonny Cobble said the Eagles are fortunate to have Tettleton on staff, and his experiences continue to facilitate learning opportunities for both players and coaches.
“I hope our baseball guys know how lucky we are to have that type of guy around us,” Cobble said. “Not only am I learning a lot about the game and some of the different ways of thinking about it, but I think they are, too, and I think it is really showing with our hitting..”
Redshirt sophomore Abe Spencer said Tettleton’s induction is well deserved and is directly linked to his work ethic.
“[Tettleton] is truly a work horse,” Spencer said. “He always makes himself available to throw extra batting practice before or after practice. It is a legitimate example of being the first one there and the last one to leave.”
Before leading Oklahoma State University to a 1981 College World Series title, Tettleton attended Southeast High School in Oklahoma City—the same place Yankees legend and namesake of the Eagles training facility Bobby Murcer attended. Tettleton was later drafted by the Oakland A’s in the fifth round in 1981.
Tettleton is the second member of the Oklahoma Christian faculty to be inducted into the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame. Current Eagles track and field assistant coach Jeff Bennett was inducted in the 2017 class for his athletic accomplishments and coaching contributions.
The official Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame induction dinner honoring Tettleton and his fellow inductees will be held in August 2019.
The Oklahoma Christian baseball team is currently 6-1 since Tettleton joined the coaching staff. The Eagles will host Cameron University this Friday, Feb. 22, at the Eagle baseball field.
0
0
Be First to Comment