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Ken OberkfellVeteran Minor League Manager Has Been With Mets For 8 YearsKen Oberkfell is known throughout the minor leagues as a hard worker that works well with young players. He has spent eight seasons managing for the Mets' farm system.
Oberkfell has coached at four different levels in the Mets farm system, and has coached several current Met players during his eight years with the Mets. He is currently managing the New Orleans Zephyrs of the Pacific Coast League, the Mets Triple-A affiliate. Many feel that Oberkfell has paid his dues, and deserves a shot to manage the big-league Mets. The Mets will undoubtedly consider promoting Oberkfell if Willie Randolph or his coaches are relieved of their duties this season. In 2005, Oberkfell told Matt Cerrone of Metsblog.com: “Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the Minor Leagues, and I love what I do, but there’s no question, my goal is to get to the Major Leagues.” Oberkfell’s Playing CareerOberkfell spent 16 seasons in the big leagues, from 1977-1992, playing for the Cardinals, Braves, Pirates, Giants, Astros, and Angels. The native of Highland, Illinois spent most of his career in St. Louis, where he won a World Series ring in 1982. “Obie” was a third basemen, and he also spent over 400 games at second base. His career batting average was a solid .278. He had a career high five home runs for the Braves in 1986. First Years as a ManagerOberkfell spent two seasons managing in the independent leagues, before getting his chance in the minor leagues. He managed in the Northeast League for the Mohawk Valley Landsharks. Then he broke into the minor leagues with the Class A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, the Piedmont Boll Weevils. The Boll Weevils played in the South Atlantic League. Oberkfell had a 215-208 record over three seasons at Piedmont. In 2000, he moved up to the High-A Florida State League and managed the Clearwater Phillies. He went 64-71 in Clearwater. Oberkfell in the Mets OrganizationIn 2001, Oberkfell joined the Mets’ farm system and returned to the South Atlantic League. He was assigned to the Capital City Bombers, where he coached future big leaguers Jose Reyes and Mike Jacobs. Oberkfell and the Bombers went 62-73 in his first season with the Mets organization. However, the Mets were impressed enough with Oberkfell to promote him to High-A St. Lucie. During the next two seasons, Oberkfell’s record was a solid 148-131. In 2003, he led the St. Lucie Mets to the Florida State League Championship. Once again, the Mets moved Oberkfell up to the next level. In 2004, he led the Binghamton Mets, of the Eastern League, to a 76-66 record, which was good for fourth place. After the 2004 season, he moved up to the highest minor league level, Triple-A, where he joined the Norfolk Tides. In 2005, Oberkfell really made a name for himself when he led the Tides to a 79-65 record and won Baseball America’s Manager of the Year. The Tides dominated during the regular season, winning the regular season title by 14 games. References: MetsBlog.com
The copyright of the article Ken Oberkfell in Baseball is owned by Peter Spiewak. Permission to republish Ken Oberkfell in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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