Rick Dempsey
From BR Bullpen
John Rikard Dempsey
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 0", Weight 190 lb.
- Debut September 23, 1969
- Final Game September 27, 1992
- Born September 13, 1949 in Fayetteville, TN USA
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[edit] Biographical Information
One of baseball's great characters and the son of vaudevillians, Rick Dempsey was fond of putting a beach ball under his jersey and doing an impression of Babe Ruth during rain delays. Dempsey would point to the outfield seats, then hit an invisible pitch with an exaggerated swing. He would then circle the bases, sliding head first on the wet tarp into each base. It truly was a sight to behold.
Dempsey was the MVP of the 1983 World Series. In Game 2, Dempsey doubled to drive in the Baltimore Orioles' first run in a 3-run 5th inning, as the Orioles won 4-1 over the Philadelphia Phillies. In Game 3, Dempsey began a 2-out rally in the 7th inning with his second double of the day. Dempsey scored the tying run and the Orioles then took the 3-2 lead that would be the final score. In the decisive Game 5, Dempsey homered to lead off the 3rd inning, giving the Orioles a 2-0 lead and doubled and scored in the fifth to close the scoring at 5-0. He won a second World Series title with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1988, appearing in two games against the Oakland Athletics.
Dempsey was also a versatile athlete. He was a first-rate defensive catcher with a cannon for an arm. At the age of forty-two, he made his pitching debut, pitching twice for the Milwaukee Brewers in the later innings of lopsided games in 1991.
Along with Tim McCarver and Carlton Fisk, Dempsey is one of only three catchers to play in the majors in four decades. After his playing career ended, he managed in the minors. More recently, he has been a big league coach with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1999 and 2000 and the Baltimore Orioles from 2002 to 2006. He also spent the 2001 season as an Orioles television broadcaster. Dempsey currently is an analyst and occassional television broadcaster on MASN for the Orioles.
Dempsey is the uncle of fellow big league catcher Gregg Zaun. Additionally his brother Pat was a minor league catcher, as was his son John.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- 1983 World Series MVP
- Won two World Series with the Baltimore Orioles (1983) and the Los Angeles Dodgers (1988)
[edit] Year-By-Year Minor League Managerial Record
| Year | Team | League | Record | Finish | Organization | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Bakersfield Dodgers | California League | 42-94 | 10th | Los Angeles Dodgers | |
| 1994 | Albuquerque Dukes | Pacific Coast League | 83-56 | 1st | Los Angeles Dodgers | League Champs |
| 1995 | Albuquerque Dukes | Pacific Coast League | 75-69 | 5th | Los Angeles Dodgers | |
| 1997 | Norfolk Tides | International League | 75-67 | 5th | New York Mets | |
| 1998 | Norfolk Tides | International League | 70-72 | 7th | New York Mets |
