Former major league infielder and coach Mike Cubbage has passed away after a battle with cancer, according to a report from Bradley Locker of the New York Post. He was 74.
Cubbage played parts of eight seasons between 1974-81. A left-handed hitter, he was drafted by the Washington Senators in the second round in 1971. The Senators had also taken Cubbage in the sixth round of the ’68 draft, but the Charlottesville native had honored his college commitment to the University of Virginia. A few months after selecting him for a second time, the Senators moved to Texas and became the Rangers.
After playing parts of four seasons in the minors, Cubbage made his debut with Texas early in the ’74 season. He nevertheless spent most of that year in Triple-A. Cubbage appeared in 58 MLB contests the following season. Texas included him in a four-player package to land future Hall of Famer Bert Blyleven from the Twins midway through the ’76 campaign. Cubbage played regularly for Minnesota over the next four-plus seasons. He topped 100 games on three occasions while working as the Twins’ primary third baseman. He hit .266/.336/.378 in just under 2000 plate appearances with Minnesota.
Cubbage signed with the Mets as a free agent going into the 1981 season. He finished his career with 67 games for New York. While he didn’t make a huge impact on the organization as a player, he quickly embarked on a lengthy run as a minor league manager in the New York system. Cubbage reached the MLB coaching staff in 1990, working as a hitting coach under Davey Johnson. He served as the MLB team’s interim manager for a week in 1991 and continued coaching throughout the decade. Cubbage was on the Red Sox’s staff in the early 2000s and subsequently worked in various scouting roles. He was a member of the Nationals’ pro scouting department during the team’s 2019 World Series season.
In just over 700 MLB games, Cubbage was a .258/.330/.369 hitter. He connected on 34 homers and drove in 251 runs. His playing days served as a springboard into a true “baseball lifer” career that spanned nearly four more decades. MLBTR sends our condolences to his family, loved ones, friends and the various people he impacted over his lengthy career.
last at bat in the majors hit a home run
RIP. Gotta admire a man who spent his life doing what he loved
RIP,Mike
Would have been fun had he been on the Cubbies.
Rest in peace and thanks for your contributions to our sport.
Ghost Pepper: Why specifically the Cubs?
So they can say Cubbage of the Cubbies. I can do better, I know.
Doesn’t work with any other team though.
He managed my hometown Lynchburg Mets for a couple seasons with great success in the early 80’s. Sad to hear this news..
RIP now Mike. Cancer sucks………
Mike Cubbage. Another player from my youth gone too soon. Damn cancer.
Rest in peace. Condolences to his family and friends.
My Sympathy. May he Rest in Peace
Have a sweet ’75 Topps mini PSA 9 rookie card with Cubbage,Manny Trillo and Doug DeCinces and another on the card.
Nice baseball life.
RIP Mr. Cubbage.
RIP Mike…..
As a manager, he was conservative with steals, especially on second base, and less inclined to use intentional walks. However, the manager was more aggressive in using pinch hitters and pinch runners compared to the league average.
I’m a bit confused. Are you referring to his Minor League managing career? Because from what I remember and I could totally be wrong but Cubbage was only the manager on an intern basis after the Mets fired Bud Harrelson. If he had another managing gig in the bigs I must have missed it. I remember Cubbage as a 3rd base coach with the Mets and I think he coached in Boston and Houston. Again I could be totally wrong. Just was curious.
@Chris from NJ
I took that from BR’s page on his managerial period.
@ Old York
Gotcha. That’s why you gotta love BR. They had all those stats on a guy who managed 7 games.
Man, it seemed like Cubbage played a lot more games than that. He always seemed to be in the lineup for somebody. I remember him most as a Twinkie. RIP, Mike Cubbage.
The 3rd base coach of my childhood for those awful early 90’s Mets. If I remember correctly he was named interim manager when they fired Harrelson. RIP.
Yes he did, late in the season. Did the same for Red Sox. Good player and coach, sad to hear he’s gone.
That had to be 91. I remember Davey getting fired in 90 and Harrelson almost pulled it out. 1991 was a rough year. I remember losing Strawberry and signing Vince Coleman and then 92 was a another story as well!! Cubbage was a pretty decent utility guy as well. I’m also sad to hear he passed away.
My first thought went to his 1980 Topps baseball card. It’s about the time I first started buying baseball cards as a kid. I can still picture it.
Rest in peace, Mr. Cubbage. You are remembered well.
Same thing, but with 1981 Topps for me.
RIP Mr Cubbage. Prayers for comfort for his family and friends. He fought the good fight.
RIP
Remember him as Met. I grew-up on westcoast in late 70s-early 80s n cable channels would show Cubs, Mets, n Braves gms. Used to play alot more day gms back then n was before Wrigley added lights. With the time difference I’d cut school, go back home n watch baseball all afternoon switching between the channels. A simpler time. Got into alot of trouble for ditching school but I wouldn’t know bout Mike Cubbage or so many other older ballplayers who I keep seeing pass away. Didn’t realize he had such a long post-playing career in mlb. Thanks for the memories. RIP
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