Right handed pitcher Glen Mickens sent me a great note recently. He took the time to give me some great stories about his career.
He says that baseball has been his life since he was 15 years old, and he is still involved coaching kids in Kauai, and coaching a UCLA alumni team.
"Though I only had a cup of coffee with Brooklyn in 1953 it was the thrill of my life to have played with all those great and future Hall of Famers. Particularly it was great playing with my idol Jackie Robinson." Glen goes on to say that he still cheers for the Dodgers, since he played for them and their minor league system.
Glen says that he roomed with Drysdale at Montreal, and he also played with Roberto Clemente (a personal favorite of mine!). Other players that he played with at this time were Tommy Lasorda and Sparky Anderson.
Mr. Mickens played in Japan, appearing in 3 All Star games. "I was the 1st American to be credited with a win in one of those games." He says that he was treated well while playing there, and he will always have fond memories of his time playing in Japan.
Concerning baseball cards, he says that he signed with Topps while with the Dodgers, but he has never seen a card from them.
Mr. Mickens says that he coached for 25 years at UCLA, and had 31 of his players make it to the Majors, including Chris Chambliss, Eric Karros, Todd Zeile, Don Slaught, and Tim Leary.
Thanks for taking the time to get back to me Glenn!
Lookouts
A GREAT view of the field at AT&T Park in Chattanooga during their pre-season open house!
Tell Glen that Matthew Beck says hello, I knew him at UCLA in the late 80's and early 90's. A great guy both on and off the field, no bout adoubt it. Does he still call everyone donkey? :0)
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