Dave Machemer

The future looked bright for California Angels infielder Dave Machemer on June 21, 1978, as he rounded the bases after hitting a home run in his first major-league plate appearance. Machemer lined a full-count pitch off Minnesota Twins southpaw pitcher Geoff Zahn that just cleared the fence inside the left-field foul pole at Metropolitan Stadium for a leadoff home run. “I felt like I was floating around the bases,” said Machemer. “The first thing I thought about was that I wish my dad would have been alive to see it.”1

William Machemer had died two years earlier and was a major reason his son became a big-leaguer. “He taught me everything I know about baseball,” said Dave Machemer. “He was my best fan, my best friend, and my biggest booster. I owe everything I am, baseballwise, to him.”2

Unfortunately, the man they called “Mach I” would step up to the plate only 54 more times in the next two years in the majors as his future dimmed, playing his last major-league game on July 2, 1979. Machemer played four more years in the minor leagues for three teams in three different organizations, all at the Triple-A level. He would find his calling after retiring as a player, spending 23 years as a minor-league manager, winning two league championships and leading his teams to more than 1,600 wins.

David Ritchie Machemer was born on May 24, 1951, in St. Joseph, Michigan. His father, William Richie Machemer, was a factory worker, and his mother, Thelma “Sis” (Jerue) Machemer, worked for a florist. They lived in the Benton Harbor/St. Joseph Twin Cities on Lake Michigan, 45 miles southwest of Kalamazoo.

Machemer was a standout in baseball as a youngster, starring in a Peanut League All-Star game as an 8-year-old in 1959. He banged out a triple and a single in three trips to the plate while pitching the final three innings in an 11-3 win over the Atoms.3 He continued his youth career, advancing to Little League and culminating with his Benton Harbor Babe Ruth team earning district champion honors in 1965, when he was an eighth-grader.4

During his time as a Benton Harbor Tiger high schooler, Machemer played football and baseball all four years. He tried his hand at basketball, but participated only during his freshman and sophomore years. The speedster even joined the track team his senior year and helped his 880-yard relay team set a southwestern Michigan high-school record with a mark of 1:30.2.5 Machemer also played for the Benton Harbor Post 105 American Legion baseball team his final three years in high school.

Machemer attended Central Michigan University after high school and played three seasons on the baseball team. He was named to the NCAA District 4 All-Star team his junior year. Other notable players on the squad, drawn from Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Ohio, were Ron Pruitt, Steve Swisher, and Jim Sundberg.6

In 1970 Machemer played for a team that won the National Baseball Congress championship. The Grand Rapids Sullivans came from the losers’ bracket and defeated the undefeated Anchorage, Alaska, team on the winner’s side – twice – to take the championship. Machemer scored the winning run in the ninth inning of the second game to give the Michigan team a 5-4 victory.7

The following summer, the Sullivans played in the Haarlem (Netherlands) Baseball Week, an international invitational baseball tournament. They won the tourney for the third time in four years, with Machemer winning the batting championship with a .482 average in six games.8 “The tournament in Holland was just great,” he said. “The field was packed with about 10,000 fans every night, and after the games the kids just swarm you. They want your hat, your glove, your autograph.”9

Machemer was selected by the California Angels in the fourth round (82nd overall) of the June 1972 amateur draft. “I just want to play ball,” he said. “I think my chances of moving up fairly quick will be pretty good with the Angels, because a lot of their players are getting old.”10

The right-handed-batting infielder was assigned to Stockton (California) of the Class-A California League. Playing in 40 games, he struggled to find his hitting stroke, finishing with a batting line of .163/.275/.268. But he showed the two tools that would follow him his entire career: speed and plate discipline. Machemer stole five bases and drew 16 walks in 144 plate appearances. Nevertheless, he was “demoted” to Quad Cities (Iowa/Illinois) of the Class-A Midwest League. At the time, both leagues were classified as “A,” but the California League was thought to be of a slightly higher caliber than the Midwest League.

In 1973 Machemer improved significantly from the previous year, raising both his batting average and on-base percentage by nearly 100 points. He tied for seventh in the league in triples (7) and finished seventh with 29 stolen bases. Machemer was bumped up to the California League again, this time joining Salinas, which became the Angels’ affiliate after the Stockton Ports disbanded following the 1972 season.

The 1974 campaign was a breakout season for the 23-year-old Machemer. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound speedster slashed .295/.390/.374 in 616 plate appearances. Machemer finished second in the league in runs scored (106), third in walks (80), and fifth (tie) with 154 hits. He had 48 stolen bases.

Machemer was promoted to Double-A El Paso in the Texas League in 1975. He fared very well, leading the league in runs scored (101) and hits (153). He was second with 89 walks and tied for second with 45 steals. His batting line showed him at .301/.407/.364. After the season, Machemer received perhaps his best reward, marrying Marcia Ann Dwan. “I wanted to get married there on the baseball field (Dudley Field) but the priest wouldn’t marry us on a baseball field,” he said.11

The next spring Machemer, Dick Sharon, and John Balaz were traded to Boston for relief pitcher Dick Drago. Machemer was assigned to Rhode Island (Pawtucket) in the Triple-A International League. “I’m pretty happy with the trade,” Machemer said. “I think I came to sort of a standstill with the Angels. But Boston needs a little more depth in the infield. I think the trade will give me a nice chance.”12

San Diego Padres GM Peter Bavasi noted, “You’ll be surprised. Balaz is going to be a good hitter in another year, and Machemer has the offensive tools to be a good utility man in time.”13 (However, Balaz never played in the big leagues again.)

Machemer started out slow and played little, batting only .100 in 10 at-bats in the first few weeks. Then he steadily started seeing more playing time and heated up at the plate, getting his average up to .303 by mid-July in 119 at-bats. He saw action at shortstop, third base, and second base, and in the outfield. By the end of the year, Machemer amassed 379 plate appearances with a hitting line of .283/.410/.351, indicating good patience but little power. Despite missing 30 games, he finished tied for fourth with seven triples. His walk total and on-base percentage were in the top 13, not bad for missing nearly 25 percent of the season.

In the spring of 1976, the American League had awarded expansion franchises to Seattle and Toronto. In Triple-A locker rooms all over America, players were dreaming of being selected in the expansion draft, which would take place in November.

“I’m pretty excited about it,” said Machemer that fall. “Because with the expansion coming up, it is going to open up a lot of opportunities for players in the minor leagues.” Sadly for him, his name was not among the 60 players called that winter.

Machemer became an Angel again in January 1977 when he was traded by the Red Sox for first baseman John Doherty. “Hopefully, I’ll get a better chance with the Angels than I did the last time,” said Machemer.14

Playing nearly every day with Salt Lake City in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League, Machemer started slow but heated up with a move to the leadoff spot, finishing the year with 40 doubles (third in the PCL), 47 stolen bases (tied for fourth), 95 runs, and 81 walks. The Gulls (74-65) finished the season in second place in the PCL East Division. But Machemer did not get a call to the big leagues.

In 1978, playing at the Triple-A level for the third straight year, Machemer started the season on fire, hitting .430 after a month of play with 13 stolen bases. A frustrated Machemer told a reporter, “I think definitely this is the year. I’ve waited seven years now. I feel I can play with any of those people in the big leagues. I feel it’s time to get a break.”15 A couple of weeks later, as he covered third on a rundown play, he took the brunt of a collision with the runner, injuring his left knee. The scrappy infielder used ice and anti-inflammatories for a few days, and maybe even a little “mind over matter” to get through it.16

A week later, Machemer got the call to the big leagues after Angels third baseman Carney Lansford injured his wrist in a home-plate collision/scuffle.17 Salt Lake City manager Deron Johnson called Machemer into his office and asked how he was feeling, to which Machemer replied that he was maybe “70 percent.” Johnson said, “That’s all right, kid. You’re going to the big leagues.” The two shook hands as the stunned Machemer realized his dream was coming true. “My word, I was waiting, waiting for this call my whole career, and I’m going up and I’m 70 percent on my knee.”18

Machemer sat on the Angels bench the first few days, not seeing any action but giving his knee a chance to heal. Then on June 21, he found his name on the California lineup card taped to the dugout wall in Metropolitan Stadium, leading off and playing second base against the Minnesota Twins. Teammate Dave Frost told him to relax and Tony Solaita also offered a brief word of encouragement.19 Using a borrowed bat and some friendly mentoring, Machemer stepped to the plate against left-hander Geoff Zahn. After working the count to three balls and two strikes, Machemer swung and lined the ball toward the left-field foul pole. The ball cleared the fence just inside the pole.

“When I hit the ball, I just knew it was gone,” Machemer said. First-base coach Bob Clear reminded him to touch first base. “It was like I floated around those bases.”20

Back in the dugout, pitcher Nolan Ryan picked up Machemer in a bear hug. “It was the biggest thrill in my life besides hitting my first Little League home run,” Machemer said.21 The Angels added two more runs in the first inning and went on to a 5-2 win.

Machemer appeared in the next three games, starting two of them, one at second and the other at third base He went 1-for-6 and drew a pair of walks. Then on June 28, Machemer had his best game as a big-leaguer to that point.

After a 40-minute start delay due to a short circuit in the Anaheim stadium lights,22 Machemer batted first against the Kansas City Royals. He led off with a single to right and two batters later scored on Lyman Bostock’s single. In the second, Machemer doubled off the wall in left-center, scoring Rick Miller. He scored on a wild pitch and Dave Chalk’s single. Two innings later, he dropped down a bunt that moved Brian Downing to second. He grounded out and popped out in his last two ABs, finishing 2-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI. Among the crowd of over 20,000 was 54-year-old Thelma “Sis” Machemer, Dave’s mother. It was the only game she ever saw him play in the big leagues.23

Machemer appeared in four more games for the Angels, collecting two hits in eight trips, before he was sent back to Salt Lake City after Lansford returned from his wrist injury.

The Angels recalled Machemer in September, but the fleet infielder appeared in only one game as a pinch-runner. In all, he batted .273/.333/.455 in 25 plate appearances for California, including a double and two RBIs. At Salt Lake City he was .325/.421/.447, all career bests, in 97 games. Despite missing 40 games due to his call-ups, Machemer tied for sixth in the PCL with 36 stolen bases.

Every year in early December, all of baseball gets together at the Winter Meetings to discuss business and make trades and other transactions. The Rule 5 draft, which allows major-league teams to draft minor-league players that are not on the majors’ 40-man rosters, is held during this four-day gathering. It was at this meeting in 1978 that the Detroit Tigers selected Dave Machemer from Salt Lake City.24

The tenacious and somewhat outspoken Machemer was pleased to get another opportunity at a shot at the major leagues. “I’m just real happy and excited to get the chance to play for the Tigers,” he said. “It’s just a new lease on life for me.” The Michigan native was playing in the Mexican League, whose season ran from early October until early January. “It’s a good experience for me, but I don’t know if I will do it again,” he said in December.25

Machemer began spring training in 1979 with confidence. In late March, the Tigers traded his friend and roster rival Steve Dillard to the Chicago Cubs, giving Machemer one of the utility infielder roles, along with Mark Wagner. “It was a case of two guys pretty much the same,” said manager Les Moss, comparing Machemer and Dillard. “Machemer has a little more baserunning speed, is a little better on stealing. That was about it between them.”26

Machemer performed well in spring-training games, batting .286 (12-for-42) and was on Detroit’s 25-man roster when the Tigers began their season on April 7, hosting the Texas Rangers. But he played in only three of Detroit’s first 15 games, going 0-for-3, and was placed on waivers to make room for pitcher Mark Fidrych, who was returning from injury. The utility infielder cleared waivers and was assigned to Triple-A Evansville (American Association) in early May. “Three at-bats,” Machemer grumbled. “The Tigers never gave me a shot at all.”27

Also known as “the Pete Rose of the Pacific Coast League” for his hustling style,28 Machemer struggled in the early going in Evansville due to a pulled left hamstring, hitting only .200 in eight games after being sent down by Detroit. He was placed on the disabled list on May 20.29 Ten days later, Machemer was “loaned” or assigned to the Rochester (New York) Red Wings of the International League, the top farm team of the Baltimore Orioles.

He played a dozen games, batting .304, before being recalled to Detroit after second baseman Lou Whitaker was placed on the 15-day disabled list in mid-June. Machemer saw action almost every day for the next two weeks, either as a pinch-runner or second baseman, but had only 23 at-bats and batted .217/.308/.261. His final game as a big-leaguer was on July 2, 1979 as a pinch-runner for Rusty Staub in a game against Cleveland at Tiger Stadium.

He was then sent to Rochester to make room on the roster for Dan Petry, whom the Tigers called up as they needed pitching help.30 Once again, Machemer felt slighted. “At least I know I’ll be leading off and playing every day in Rochester,” he said. “I almost think that’s better than being here and not playing.”31

Machemer finished the season with the Red Wings, batting .292 in 89 games with 15 stolen bases. He played winter ball in Venezuela but came home on December 27 to be with his wife, Marcia, for the birth of their first child, Sarah Ann.32

Still in the Detroit organization, Machemer began 1980 again with Evansville. There he had at least one man on his side: future Hall of Fame manager Jim Leyland, who said, “Remember Dave Machemer? He’s on our roster, a guy who can play three infield positions. I like him best as a second baseman – he can turn the double play, has pretty good speed and range.”33

Machemer’s play was solid for two months. He led the team in batting (.299) when he was traded to Toledo for Tom Chism. But the change of scenery did not help Machemer. He struggled, batting only .216/.298/.241 in 183 plate appearances for the Twins Triple-A club.

The following year, Machemer reported to Toledo and played well before a broken ankle ended his 1981 season on July 30. He batted .283/.354/.358 in 215 plate appearances. He returned to Toledo in 1982. In perhaps as a harbinger of his future, he was ejected from a game in early May in his duties as an acting manager.34 While replacing manager Cal Ermer, Machemer recorded one win, one loss, and one ejection. He was praised by Ermer, who said, “We’d like to have a whole team with an attitude like him.” Machemer said, “I know it can’t go on forever, but maybe I can stay in the game as a manager or coach.”35 

In the offseason, Machemer made the decision to pull the plug on his professional playing career. “It didn’t look like I would make it back to the big leagues,” he said. “I was sort of running into a dead end. I had to make a decision and I did.”36

Machemer took a job selling cars at a St. Joseph dealership and joined the Twin City Collegians, playing in the Michiana Amateur Baseball League.37 He also reprised his role as an infielder for the Grand Rapids Sullivans and helped the team win its third another National Baseball Congress championship, defeating Fairbanks, Alaska.38

In 1985 Machemer was tabbed by the Milwaukee Brewers to manage their Class-A Midwest League team at Beloit (Wisconsin). The job led him on a 23-year odyssey that included managing 15 teams in nine leagues (Class A through Triple A) for four organizations: Milwaukee, Baltimore, Montreal, and San Francisco. His teams have won championships in two leagues (California League, 1986; Arizona League, 2008). His squads fell short in a pair of championship title matches. In all, his teams appeared in the playoffs in nine of his 23 years on the bench. Machemer had a managerial career record of 1.604-1,589.

After the 2013 campaign, the San Francisco  Giants announced that Machemer would not return to manage in their organization, thus ending his nearly two dozen years as a minor-league skipper.39 He joined the Baltimore Orioles organization as a special-assignment scout prior to the 2014 season and worked in that role through 2019.

Just before Thanksgiving 2023, Lakeshore (Michigan) High School announced the hiring of Machemer as its head baseball coach.40

As of 2024 the Machemers resided in Benton Harbor. They have two children – Sarah and David – and three grandchildren.

Sources

In addition to the sources cited in the Notes, the author consulted Baseball-Reference.com and Retrosheet.org.

Notes

1 Text exchange with Dave Machemer, March 1, 2023.

2 Jim Hawkins, “’God, I Wish He Was Here Now,’” Detroit Free Press, March 18, 1979: 6E.

3 “Fairplain Little, Peanut Leaguers Display Skill In All-Star Contest,” Benton Harbor (Michigan) News-Palladium, August 10, 1959: 13.

4 Jim DeLand, “Benton Harbor Wins Babe Ruth District Title,” Benton Harbor News-Palladium, July 20, 1965: 15.

5 “Harbor Sprinters Shatter Relay Record,” Benton Harbor News-Palladium, May 15, 1968: 14.

6 “MSU Lands 3 on NCAA Star Team,” Lansing (Michigan) State Journal, June 6, 1972: C-1.

7 Bob Stewart, “Sullivans Win the Hard Way,” Wichita (Kansas) Beacon, September 1, 1970: 2B.

8 “Machemer Top Batter in Tourney,” Benton Harbor News-Palladium, July 5, 1971: 21.

9 Jim DeLand, “Sidelines,” Benton Harbor News-Palladium, July 21, 1971: 30.

10 “Angels to Sign Dave Machemer,” Benton Harbor News-Palladium, June 17, 1972: 14.

11 Eric Davis, “Diablos, Manager Machemer Create the Perfect Marriage,” El Paso Herald-Post, March 25, 1988: D-1.

12 “Dave Machemer Traded by Angels to Red Sox,” Benton Harbor News-Palladium, March 4, 1976: 20.

13 Peter Gammons, “Reflections on the Drago Trade,” Boston Globe, March 7, 1976: 79.

14 “Dave Machemer Is Angel Again,” Benton Harbor Herald-Palladium, January 14, 1977: 15.

15 Jerry Dykstra, “Machemer Hitting .430, Eyeing Majors,” Benton Harbor Herald-Palladium, May 16, 1978: 17.

16 Dave Machemer interview, “Credit to Others,” The Greatest 21 Days website, http://www.greatest21days.com/2011/07/dave-machemer-interview-part-1-credit.html. Accessed December 5, 2023.

17 “Machemer Goes to Angel Club,” Salt Lake Tribune, June 13, 1978: 1C.

18 “Credit to Others.”

19 “Credit to Others.”

20 “Credit to Others.”

21 “Credit to Others.”

22 Scott Ostler, “Power Failure Doesn’t Affect Angel Hitters,” Los Angeles Times, June 29, 1978: 3, 1.

23 “Credit to Others.”

24 “Seven Are Drafted,” Tacoma (Washington) News Tribune, December 4, 1978: C-1.

25 Jerry Dykstra, “Machemer Is Happy He’s a Tiger Again,” Benton Harbor Herald-Palladium, December 9, 1978: 19.

26 Brian Bragg, “Tigers’ Infield Roster Firm,” Detroit Free Press, March 21, 1979: 4D.

27 Brian Bragg, “Angry Machemer Thinks Tigers Failed to Give Him a Chance,” Detroit Free Press, May 3, 1979: 4D.

28 “‘Hustler’ to Join Triplets in Omaha Tonight,” Evansville (Indiana) Press, May 7, 1979: 18.

29 Dave Johnson, “It’s Moving Day for the Evansville Triplets,” Evansville Press, May 21, 1979: 15.

30 Brian Bragg, “Tigers Place Fast Order for Peaches Sunday,” Detroit Free Press, July 6, 1979: 4D.

31 “Tigers Place Fast Order for Peaches Sunday.”

32 “Future Unclear for Machemer,” Benton Harbor Herald-Palladium, January 9, 1980: 33.

33 Pete Swanson, “Boots Day Pitching for Chance at Triplets’ Roster,” Evansville Press, February 24, 1980: 18-C.

34 “Tides Win Wild Game Over Hens,” Newport News (Virginia) Daily Press, May 2, 1982: D2.

35 Tom Hoepf, “Machemer Hustles for One More Shot,” Port Clinton (Ohio) News Herald, July 19, 1982: 7.

36 “Machemer’s Baseball Career Ends,” Herald-Palladium, March 22, 1983: 14.

37 “Ex-Pros Machemer, Nate Join Collegians,” Herald-Palladium, May 27, 1983: 16.

38 Bob Lutz, “Sullivans Win 3rd National Crown, 11-1,” Wichita Eagle-Beacon, August 16, 1983: 9A. 

39 “Machemer’s exit confirmed,” Richmond Times-Dispatch (Richmond, Virginia), November 26, 2013: C6.

40 “Lakeshore Tabs Dave Machemer as New Head Baseball Coach,” Lakeshore Lancers website, https://www.lakeshorelancerathletics.com/2023/11/22/lakeshore-tabs-dave-machemer-as-new-head-baseball-coach/, accessed December 22, 2023.