Oberkfell Glad To Return to New Orleans

Ken Oberkfell was busy working on his golf game when he realized something was missing in his life.

After 16 seasons as a major-league player, eight with the St. Louis Cardinals that earned him a World Series ring in 1982, the former New Orleans Pelicans (1977) infielder discovered what a lot of baseball lifers realize when they attempt to walk away from the game.

Baseball is a hard habit to kick.

"When I retired, I didn't do anything for a couple of years except golf," said Oberkfell, who returned to New Orleans this season when the New York Mets began a two-year Player Development Contract with the Zephyrs. "I did a lot of golfing, but you miss baseball. It's in your blood. I've done it my whole life.

"I wanted to get back to the big leagues. I'm not going to lie. I want to get back there as a coach or manager or something. I did it as a player, and I'd really like to do it again as a coach or manager if I get that opportunity. Once you're in this game, it's hard to get out. I love the game of baseball. It's something I've always done. It's a great life."

Life was good to Oberkfell as a player with the Cardinals, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Francisco Giants, Houston Astros and California Angels. He had a .278 average and led the National League in fielding percentage three times, as a second baseman in 1979, and at third base in 1982 and '83.

And he learned from some of the best managers in baseball. He began applying those lessons as a manager for two years in the Independent League and four seasons with the Phillies organization before joining the Mets in 2001.

"I've taken a little something from most of them, really," Oberkfell said.

"But I guess the manager that sticks out most for me would be Whitey Herzog. I learned a lot from Whitey in the three years I played for him in St. Louis . . . . just the way he handled his players, the way he communicated with them.

"Especially his extra players, the guys who didn't play as much. He really made it a point every day to talk to them and put them in situations where they could have success instead of failure, in pinch-hitting roles or playing against certain guys. Whitey had a lot to do with the way I handle, as far as communications, with my players."

Those lessons should prove very beneficial in managing the Zephyrs, a mix of prospects and veterans, most of whom have major-league experience. Oberkfell has to walk a fine line between getting prospects, who have to play every day, and keeping the veterans sharp so they can step in right away and help the Mets, should they need a player.

So far, he has proved successful at both.

Two years ago, he led the Norfolk Tides, the Mets' long-time previous Class AAA affiliate, to the International League South Division championship with a 79-65 and was named Minor-League Manager of the Year by Baseball America.

The Tides finished 57-84 last season, but Oberkfell wasn't around to see much of it. "I had blood clots in my legs and missed half the season," he said. "But I've been fortunate. The year before that, we had a very good team and lost to Toledo (in the IL Championship Series).

"I've been fortunate. I've had some really good players in the Mets organization. I've had the opportunity to manage Jose Reyes and David Wright. The Mets have always had some pretty good talent."

Quite a few of those young prospects, such as pitchers Philip Humber and Ivan Maldonado, infielders Anderson Hernandez and Ruben Gotay, outfielders Chip Ambres, Carlos Gomez, Ben Johnson and Lastings Milledge, are with the Zephyrs.

There are power hitters in first baseman Andy Tracy, third baseman Fernando Tatis and outfielder Ricky Ledee, all veteran players.

Oberkfell is excited about returning from New Orleans, and there could be an omen there.

The city proved a jump-start to his major-league playing career, and he hopes it will do the same for him as a manager or coach.

"I'm excited about being back in New Orleans, working with the Zephyrs, trying to get around the city and trying to get involved in the community. And we've got to win ball games. We've got to help these players get better to help our major-league club."

But winning, he says, is most important. So is working hard and having fun while doing it.

"What I remember as a minor-league player is that you have to play hard to get to the major leagues. You have to play hard every day because you don't know who's watching. You never know who's in those stands, what scout is watching you. So I try to instill in these kids, 'Hey, don't quit, play hard, man.'

"First of all, they're going to play hard, or they're not going to play. It doesn't take any more talent to bust your tail or to play hard. If you're a 4.2 runner, run 4.2. If you're a 4.6 runner, run 4.6."

What that tells fans, scouts and organization people is players have desire because they enjoy what they're doing.

"What people will see here, they'll see people bust their tails, and they'll see guys have fun," Oberkfell said. "You've got to have fun in this game.

"The old saying is the umpire says, 'play ball,' not 'work ball.' So go out and play ball and have fun."