Charlie O'Brien was born on January 5, 1960 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. From a young age, he showed a natural talent for baseball and began playing as a catcher when he was just 5 years old. He attended Bishop Kelley High School, where he excelled on the baseball field. O'Brien went on to play college baseball at Wichita State University, where he was a standout player for the Shockers. During his senior year in 1982, he broke numerous records and helped lead the team to the finals of the College World Series.
After his successful college career, O'Brien was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 5th round of the 1982 MLB draft. He made his major league debut in June of 1985 and went on to play for several MLB teams throughout his 15-year career, including the New York Mets, Atlanta Braves, Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Angels, and Montreal Expos.
Charlie O'Brien is best known for his exceptional skills as a catcher and his ability to work effectively with some of the top pitchers in the game. He famously served as the personal catcher for Greg Maddux, a Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher. O'Brien caught for nearly a dozen winners of the Cy Young Award, including Dwight Gooden, Bret Saberhagen, Roger Clemens, and Pat Hentgen.
In addition to his on-field success, O'Brien also made a significant impact off the field. In the late 1990s, he innovated a new style of catcher's mask inspired by the protective masks worn by hockey players. His design, known as the All-Star MVP, was approved by Major League Baseball and quickly became popular among players and teams.
Charlie O'Brien comes from a large family, with 8 siblings who were also active in sports during his youth. He married Traci Rodriguez, a fellow Tulsa native, and together they raised 4 children - two boys and two girls. Both of O'Brien's sons, Cameron and Chris, followed in their father's footsteps and pursued baseball careers. Chris was even drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2011.
Charlie O'Brien's legacy extends beyond his accomplishments on the baseball field. He is remembered for his dedication to the game, his innovative contributions to player safety, and his role in shaping the future of catcher equipment. His impact on the sport of baseball will be felt for generations to come.
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