Lieberthal, Mike

Michael Scott Lieberthal

How many modern major league catchers hit .300 with over 30 home runs while winning a gold glove for their superior defense? Lieberthal, whose father is Jewish, had played his entire 15-year career with the Phillies and in August 2006 set a new record for most games caught in team history. Mike surpassed Red Dooin, who played for the Phillies 1902-14 and who had held the previous mark of 1,125. But heading into the 2007 campaign, Mike signed as a free agent with the Dodgers, having hit .273 with nine homers and 36 RBIs in 67 games during 2006. He was on the disabled list twice (for a bruised left knee and a strained left hip) but in 7 of his 9 previous seasons he appeared in 100 or more games, including a career-high 145 in 1999, when he hit .300 with 31 homers and 96 RBIs.

Approaching 2007, Lieberthal had a .275 career average with 150 homers and 609 RBIs. He was a National League All-Star in 1999, and again in 2000. Mike, a free-swinging hitter who excelled against left-handed pitching, was also known as an outstanding caller of games. His defensive skills ranked among the best at his position. Few runners even bothered trying to steal against him, and he consistently threw out a relatively high percentage of those who did. Lieberthal also mauled lefthanded pitching: he batted .350 and .417 against them in 2000 and 2001, respectively.

In January of 2008, Mike announced his retirement from baseball. He compiled a career batting average of .274 with 150 home runs and 610 runs batted in. Lieberthal had a .310 batting average, a .381 on base percentage, and .510 slugging percentage lifetime against lefties.

Birth and Death Dates:
b. January 18, 1972

Career Highlights:
In 1990, Lieberthal was selected in the first round (3rd overall) of the MLB draft by the Philadelphia Phillies. After four seasons in the minors, Mike got his first chance in the majors in 1994, appearing in 24 games and hitting .266. In 1997, he became Philadelphia's regular catcher, and steadily improved over the next few seasons. In 1999, while winning a Gold Glove for his play behind the plate, Mike also put up outstanding all-around numbers in front of it, batting .300 with 96 RBI and 31 home runs. Twice in an outstanding 2000 season, Mike was injured and went on the disabled list with shoulder chips. Though playing while injured, he nonetheless managed to hit .278. With 121 fewer at-bats than the previous season, he still registered 15 home runs, 71 RBI and 30 doubles (third in the league).

One of the Phillies' team leaders, Mike was knocked out of the 2001 season on May 12, in a game against Arizona. He damaged his right knee while returning to first base on a pickoff play, and was knocked out for the rest of the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee -- he also tore the medial collateral ligament and lateral meniscus. At the time of the injury, the surprising Phillies had the best record in the National League. "You get a sick feeling in your stomach," Philadelphia manager Larry Bowa said. "You're talking about an All-Star catcher." General manager Ed Wade said, "Replacing an All-Star catcher won't be easy...Getting Lieby healthy for next year is our utmost goal. We certainly feel for him. He's a gamer." Lieberthal's loss was a major blow to the Phillies, who were 51-48 when Lieberthal went on the disabled list with a pelvic injury in 1998. They went 24-39 the rest of the season. In 2000, they were 13-27 during his two stints on the disabled list.

During the 2002 season, Mike hit .279 (133-476) with 15 home runs and 52 RBI as Philadelphia's regular catcher; the Phillies finished 80-81 and in third place in the NL East. On August 19, the 30-year-old backstop signed a three-year contract extension (2003-2005) worth $22.25 million with a $7.5 million option for 2006. Lieberthal, who earlier in August hit three home runs in a game against the Dodgers, said of the deal, "There's something to be said for playing your whole career with one team. If you're happy, then why change?" Phillies GM Ed Wade said of Lieberthal, "...to be able to have a guy who's got his credentials and have him here and be able to keep him is very important to us."

During the 2003 season, Mike appeared in 131 games and hit a rousing .313 (159-508) with 13 home runs, 81 RBI, and 68 runs scored. He finished 12th in the NL in batting average. Philadelphia finished the season with a record of 86-76 and in third place in the NL East. The following year, the Phillies finished with a record of 86-65 and in second place in the NL East. Mike played in 131 games and hit .271 (129-476) with 17 HR, 61 RBI, and 58 runs scored.

Career Dates:
Lieberthal played for the Philadelphia Phillies, 1994-current.

Position:
Catcher

Physical description:
6'0", 185 pounds
Right-handed

Career Statistics:
(through 2005 season)

Games: 1107
Batting Avg.: .275
Slugging Avg.: .449

At-bats: 3,932
Hits: 1080
Doubles: 241
Triples: 10

Home Runs: 141
Home Run %:
Runs: 506
RBI: 573

BB: 323
Strike Outs: 541
Stolen Bases: 8

Pinch Hitting
At-bats: n/a
Hits: n/a

Fielding Statistics
Put-outs: 7,264
Assists: 447
Errors: 65
Double-plays: 60

Fielding avg.: .992

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