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Mike Epstein

Michael Epstein (born April 4, 1943) is an American former professional baseball first baseman who played nine seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1966 to 1974 for the Baltimore Orioles, Washington Senators, Oakland Athletics, Texas Rangers, and California Angels. Renowned for his power hitting and defensive prowess at first base, he achieved a career-high 30 home runs in 1969 under manager Ted Williams with the Senators, setting a team record for left-handed batters in a single season, and played a key role in the Oakland Athletics' 1972 World Series victory. A Jewish athlete who embraced his heritage—earning the nickname "Super Jew" and wearing a black armband in 1972 to honor the 11 Israelis killed at the Munich Olympics—Epstein also excelled in college baseball at the University of California, Berkeley, where he set the program record for career batting average at .381 and was named team MVP in 1964. Epstein's early life began in the Bronx, New York, before his family relocated to Hartsdale, where he developed his athletic skills in and football. At UC Berkeley, he not only led the Golden Bears in for two consecutive seasons but also represented Team USA in at the Olympics, shortly after which he signed with . His MLB career statistics include a .244 , 130 home runs, and 380 runs batted in over 907 games, with notable defensive feats such as setting a Major League record for most putouts by a in a single game. After retiring, Epstein transitioned into business, achieving success in precious metals and commodities trading, and later founded the Epstein School of Hitting in 2000 to coach youth . His contributions to the sport have been honored with inductions into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 2004 and the California Athletics Hall of Fame in 2023, recognizing both his on-field accomplishments and his status as one of the great Jewish baseball players of the and .

Early Life and Education

Childhood and Family Background

Michael Peter Epstein was born on April 4, 1943, in , , to Jewish parents Jack Epstein, a businessman, and Evelyn Epstein. Shortly after his birth, the family relocated to , in Westchester County, seeking improved educational opportunities for their children, which included Mike and his two sisters, Linda and Carole. In 1957, the Epsteins moved again, this time to , , when Jack established a company office there, providing the family with new prospects in a warmer climate conducive to outdoor activities. This relocation marked a significant shift, exposing young Mike to year-round recreational opportunities that contrasted with the seasonal limitations of the Northeast. Jack Epstein initially opposed pursuing baseball as a professional career, emphasizing the importance of academics and insisting that Mike complete his college education despite interest from scouts during his junior year at the . Epstein's Jewish heritage played a formative role in shaping his identity, as he later reflected on his roots with pride, noting in a 2013 interview, “How often can a nice Jewish kid from bat fourth on a winning team?” His early exposure to sports came through family and neighborhood influences in , where he played informally at La Cienega Park and developed an interest in baseball after his uncle Irving took him to New York Yankees games and gifted him his first spikes and glove around age nine.

Amateur Baseball and Football Career

Mike Epstein attended Fairfax High School in Los Angeles, where he excelled in both baseball and football. In baseball, he earned a varsity letter and initially pitched under coach Frank Schaffer before an arm injury in his sophomore year ended those prospects. On the football team, which won only two games over three years, Epstein was a standout two-way player, serving as fullback on offense while contributing on defense and accounting for 90% of the team's tackles. Recruited on a scholarship, Epstein enrolled at the , from 1961 to 1964, competing in both sports. As a fullback for the Cal Bears team under coach , he ranked as the second-leading ground gainer with 137 rushing yards during his sophomore year in 1962 on a struggling 1-9 squad that included future quarterback . Concerned about injury risks, Epstein discontinued after his sophomore season to concentrate on . In , Epstein played first base and , posting a career of .381—a program record that still stands—and leading the team in average during his junior (.375) and senior (.384) seasons in 1963 and 1964, respectively. He was named the Bears' in 1964 and selected as a collegiate All-American. After his senior season, Epstein represented the in at the in as a , where he led the team in hitting. He then opted for a career over football, signing with the Baltimore Orioles as an amateur in 1964 for a bonus estimated at over $20,000.

Professional Playing Career

Minor League Progression

Following his standout performance at the , Mike Epstein signed as an amateur free agent with the Baltimore Orioles in 1964, receiving a estimated at more than $20,000. He did not appear in minor league games that year, instead representing the in at the . Epstein began his professional career in 1965 with the Class A Stockton Ports of the , where he posted a .338 with 30 home runs and 100 RBIs over 124 games, tying a league record for homers and earning the California League award. He also played briefly that winter in the Instructional League, batting .225 with 4 home runs in limited action. In 1966, Epstein advanced to the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings of the , delivering a breakout season with a .309 , 29 home runs, and 102 RBIs in 141 games, which led to his selection as International League MVP and Minor League Player of the Year. He again appeared in a short instructional league stint that winter, hitting .283. These performances earned him a promotion to the major leagues in September 1966.

Major League Seasons and Achievements

Epstein made his major league debut with the Baltimore Orioles on September 16, 1966, appearing in just six games and batting .182 with no home runs. The following year, he split time between the Orioles and Washington Senators after being traded to the Senators on May 29, 1967, along with Frank Bertaina in exchange for pitcher Pete Richert. In 105 total games across both teams, Epstein hit .226 with 9 home runs and 29 RBIs, marking limited but promising action as a left-handed first baseman. His early major league exposure built on prior minor league accolades, such as the 1965 California League Most Valuable Player award. Epstein's tenure with the Senators from 1968 to 1970 saw steady improvement, culminating in a breakthrough 1969 season under manager . That year, he batted .278 with 30 home runs and 85 RBIs in 131 games, finishing 25th in MVP voting while posting a .414 through enhanced plate discipline inspired by Williams' hitting principles of selectivity and inside-out swings. In 1968, he had hit .234 with 13 home runs in 123 games, and in 1970, he followed with .256 and 20 home runs across 140 games, solidifying his role as the team's primary . After playing 24 games for the Senators in 1971, Epstein was traded to the on May 8, 1971, along with for Frank Fernandez, Paul Lindblad, and Mike Compton; he played 104 games for Oakland that season, batting .238 with 18 home runs and 51 RBIs, for season totals of 128 games, .237 average, 19 home runs, and 60 RBIs, contributing to the team's first-place finish. He remained with the Athletics in , batting .270 with 26 home runs and 70 RBIs in 138 games, leading the team in homers and earning 16th place in AL MVP voting. His power output peaked during this period, showcasing left-handed pull hitting that generated significant extra-base value despite limited speed, as evidenced by just 7 career stolen bases. Epstein's performance declined in 1973 after being traded to the on November 30, 1972, for Horacio Pina, where he started slowly before another midseason move to the California Angels on May 20, 1973, for Jim Spencer and Lloyd Allen; overall, he hit .209 with 9 home runs in 118 games. In 1974 with the Angels, injuries and burnout limited him to 18 games with a .161 average and 4 home runs before his release on May 4, prompting retirement at age 31. Over nine seasons, Epstein appeared in 907 games, compiling a .244 , 130 home runs, and 380 RBIs, renowned for his raw power at first base amid average athleticism.

World Series Participation

Mike Epstein served as the primary for the during their appearance against the , starting in the first six games of the seven-game series. Although a hand injury earlier in the 1972 regular season had limited his playing time and power output, Epstein platooned at the position with , who took over as the starter in Game 7 after Epstein went hitless through the series. His postseason role was constrained to 16 at-bats across six games, where he recorded no hits but drew five walks and scored one run, contributing defensively with limited offensive impact. The Athletics defeated the Reds 4 games to 3, securing their first World Series title since 1930 and launching the "Swingin' A's" dynasty that would claim three consecutive championships from 1972 to 1974. Epstein's participation marked his only World Series appearance in a storied Oakland era defined by colorful personalities, including the infamous "mustache gang"—a group of players who defiantly grew facial hair in response to owner Charles Finley's fines for such expressions, fostering a rebellious team spirit that mirrored their on-field resilience.

Post-Playing Career

Coaching and Youth Development

Following his retirement from , Epstein transitioned into by drawing on his renowned hitting expertise to mentor young players, beginning in the after relocating to . In the mid-, Epstein managed the Denver Reds, a youth team for 11- and 12-year-olds, guiding them to the tournament in where they finished second. He also coached another youth team that included future players Eric , Nick , and Ty Wigginton to three consecutive national championships in the Amateur American Baseball Congress. Epstein's approach to youth development was heavily influenced by his time playing under Ted Williams with the Washington Senators from 1969 to 1971, where he absorbed the Hall of Famer's emphasis on rotational hitting and fundamentals; this mentorship continued post-retirement through ongoing discussions, shaping Epstein's instruction for young hitters. In 1993, Epstein took on a brief managerial role with the Helena Brewers, the Milwaukee Brewers' rookie affiliate in the Pioneer League, compiling a 4-7 record over 11 games before being replaced by Harry Dunlop. Under Epstein's initial leadership and Dunlop's subsequent guidance, the team finished first in the South Division with an overall 43-30 mark and advanced to the league finals. This stint highlighted Epstein's focus on instilling advanced hitting principles, though adapted for entry-level minor leaguers.

Business and Hitting Instruction Ventures

After retiring from , Mike Epstein transitioned into business, taking over a struggling precious metals refining and trading company in the late 1970s. Under his leadership, the firm grew from annual sales of less than $1 million to $25 million by 1982, when he sold it to a conglomerate. In 2000, Epstein founded the Epstein Hitting School in , drawing on the scientific principles of batting mechanics he learned from during their time together in the late 1960s. The school emphasizes a rotational hitting philosophy, incorporating video motion analysis, 3D technology, and personalized drills to refine players' swings. Over the years, it has instructed thousands of athletes, ranging from professional and collegiate players to youth participants, with Epstein's son joining as a lead instructor in 2003 after his career. As of 2025, leads the program and serves as hitting coach for the softball team. Epstein expanded his instructional efforts through authorship and nationwide clinics. He wrote the book Mike Epstein on Hitting in 2003, which details fundamentals like bat speed, , and swing planes based on his playing experience and Williams' teachings. Additionally, he conducted hitting clinics across the , promoting his systematic approach to coaches and players at various levels.

Personal Life and Legacy

Family and Personal Interests

Epstein married Barbara Gluskin in 1966 while playing for the in the ' minor league system; the couple had met earlier in , where her father served as president of the local that Epstein attended during his time with the Stockton Ports. They have been married since 1966. The Epsteins had one son, , who followed in his father's footsteps by playing at the , where he earned honors, and later at . briefly signed with the Anaheim Angels organization but left after one season to prioritize family and coaching, eventually joining his father as an instructor at the Epstein Hitting School. The family observed Jewish cultural practices, including regular synagogue attendance, which played a central role in Epstein's early life and relationships. Epstein embraced his Jewish heritage publicly, earning the nickname "Super Jew" from opposing coach Rocky Bridges in 1965 for his strong identification with his faith and on-field prowess. An avid reader known among teammates as "Egghead" for frequently quoting literary figures, Epstein pursued intellectual interests alongside his athletic career. In later years, he remained active in the Jewish community.

Awards, Honors, and Cultural Impact

At the collegiate level, Epstein's contributions to the , baseball program were recognized decades later. He was inducted into the California Athletics Hall of Fame in 2023, where he holds the program record for career at .381 over two seasons (1963–1964), during which he led the team in hitting both years and earned team honors in 1964. Epstein's broader recognitions include his 2004 induction into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, honoring his achievements as a prominent Jewish athlete in . He has also been featured in key works documenting Jewish contributions to the sport, such as Jewish Major Leaguers in Their Own Words (2012), where he shares personal insights from his career alongside other players. Epstein's cultural impact stems from his role as a trailblazing Jewish in an era with limited representation. Nicknamed "Super Jew" by rival manager Rocky Bridges in 1965—a moniker he embraced—he became the premier Jewish slugger of the and 1970s, breaking barriers through his on-field success with teams like the and . This visibility inspired younger Jewish athletes, as Epstein himself noted in interviews, fostering greater participation and pride in Jewish sports heritage. Media coverage during his playing years often highlighted his identity and achievements, positioning him as a symbol of resilience and excellence in baseball's . His 1972 World Series championship ring with the further cemented this legacy of overcoming challenges on baseball's biggest stage.

References

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    Mike Epstein ; WAR. 12.7. AB. 2854. H. 695. HR. 130. BA .244 ; R. 362. RBI. 380. SB. 7 ; OBP .358. SLG .424. OPS .782. OPS+. 130.
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    Aug 11, 2022 · Mike Epstein, 1B (1966-1974) ... Nicknamed “Superjew” by an opposing minor league manager, Epstein was the premier Jewish slugger of his era. He ...<|control11|><|separator|>