Ken Oberkfell

Kenneth Raymond Oberkfell (born May 4, 1956, in Highland, Illinois) is an American former Major League Baseball third baseman and current coach for the New York Mets. He played from 1977-1992 for six different teams. Oberkfell primarily played third base but was also known to play second base and both corner outfield positions. He also served as the manager of the New Orleans Zephyrs from January 4, 2007 until June 17, 2008. He was named the New York Mets bench coach for the 2011 season.

Signed by the St. Louis Cardinals as an amateur free agent in 1975, Oberkfell would make his Major League Baseball debut with the St. Louis Cardinals on August 22, 1977, and appear in his final game on October 4, 1992. Oberkfell was a member of the 1982 World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals, hitting .292 in that series. During his stint with the pennant winning San Francisco Giants, the team held an Oberkfellfest in his honor at Candlestick Park.

After his retirement as a player in 1992, Oberkfell embarked on a successful managerial career that saw him named Minor League Manager of the Year by Baseball America in 2005.

On June 17, 2008, he was promoted from his managerial position with the Mets' AAA New Orleans affiliate to the Mets' first base coach, replacing Tom Nieto.

During 2009 and 2010, Oberkfell managed the Mets' Triple-A farm team, the Buffalo Bisons. On January 28, 2010, Oberkfell led the Leones del Escogido...
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