Hot Stove: Micah Owings

Former MLB pitcher Micah Owings spoke at Hot Stove this month. Micah was one of the most feared hitting pitchers in recent MLB history. During his review of his career he mentioned that he was organized, and for the most part he shared stories in a year by year, chronological pattern.

After being homeschooled through 9th grade, Owings played his sophomore and junior seasons for Forsyth Central High School. This is where he got to know Hot Stove host Johnny Tallant, who was the driver’s ed teacher and girl’s softball coach. His baseball coaches were former major leaguers Chris Carpenter and Jody Davis.

Before his senior year his family moved to Gainesville. As with many kids in a new school, Micah missed his friends. He did set the state record for most career home runs, with 45 – a record that still stands He is still 4th-best nationally. He was drafted 50th overall by the Rockies, who offered him $850,000 to sign. He prayed about the offer, and decided to sign with Georgia Tech instead, where his father had played football. Micah grew from a skinny 6’3” 185 pound high school senior to a 6’5” 205 pound collegian.

At Tech he started the season as the Jackets closer, then became the Sunday starter, then the Saturday starter, and eventually moved to the top of the roatation as the Friday starter, going head to head with the best pitchers of the other team. When not pitching he played first or DH’d. Then in the ACC Tournament his coach played him at third base – a position he’d rarely played.

After his sophomore season Micah was drafted by the Cubs, but they only offered $350,000. He felt he needed a change. Coach Morris wouldn’t let him transfer to an ACC or SEC school, or any team on Tech’s schedule. Owings landed at Tulane, which gave him the best chance to develop and make the College World Series. He was a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award, given to the top player in college baseball. Since he was both a pitcher as well as a hitter, he should’ve won.

Micah said one year in New Orleans was plenty. Before the draft some teams wanted him as a hitter, some as a hitter. Owings didn’t care. He was drafted 85th overall by the Diamondbacks, and went through the minors with a talented draft class that included Justin Upton. Owings went 8-1 for Seiverville, then 10-0 for Tuscon, helping them win the AAA championship. In his first spring training with the big club, Randy Johnson had rejoined the team after playing for the Yankees, but Johnson hurt his back, opening up a spot for Owings.

As a rookie the DBacks had a series in Pittsburgh. With rain in the forecast Arizona didn’t want to waste another pitcher’s turn in the rotation. After throwing a bullpen, Micah was called in two hours before the game and asked if he wanted to start. Ownings said yes. He threw seven scoreless innings and went 4-4 at the plate, with two doubles.

On his first road trip Micah hopped off the bus and reached for his bags, not knowing bellhops took team bags to the rooms. But so many things like required so many tips, so eventually Ownings started carrying his own bags again.

Johnson treated Owings like the rookie he was – but always had Michah chart his games for him. It was a good learning experience for Owings. Also influential was was big Livian Hernandez, who had the power to blow the ball past hitters, but chose to throw slower with movement and control, like Greg Maddux.

2008: a great start – 8-0. Then he was traded to the Reds. His manager was Dusty Baker, one of his favorites. Baker and manager Bob Melvin, both players managers, would use Micah as a pinch-hitter.  Micah still gets together with Baker whenever Dusty comes to town. After a late Saturday night game the two decided to meet the next morning for coffee. Since it was a travel day, Baker arrived fashionably dressed in a suit – only to have Micah spill coffee on him.

At Ownings’ first game at Turner Field he asked for some encouraging words, and was told Proverbs 3:5-6.

2012 was his last season as a pitcher. He had his second surgery, performed by noted surgeon Dr James Andrews. Owings still sends players to Dr Andrews.

Before the 2013 season Micah called former pitcher turned hitter Rick Ankiel, who answered the phone knowing why Ownings called – Micah was considering making the same switch. Ankiel encouraged Micah to give it a try, saying he’s regret it if he didn’t. Signed by the Nationals, Micah had a great camp. Manager Davey Johnson would sub Micah in for Bryce Harper. Owings went 3-3 against Adam Wainwright. Micah thought he had the team made, but just before the season was sent to AAA Huntsville. That’s when I saw him play at Gwinnett.

Now 30, Micah had a good first half despite jamming his knee in the outfield. But with little hope of being called up, at the midseason break he opted out of his contract. The Brewers wanted him to pitch and hit, and he was sent to AAA Nashville. Is arm felt good, but his knee still hurt.

2014: signed by the Marlins to pitch, but he suffered a string of injuries. In Atlanta he busted his ear and couldn’t fly home with the team.

2016: a fun year playing independent ball in York PA. Laid back.

2017: spring training with the Mariners. He had a good camp, but his body was worn out. They called him in and offered him a job as a scout. After taking a day to think about it, he said yes. He scouted a first baseman and a big pitcher. Micah recommended the Mariners take the pitcher, but they took the first baseman, perhaps the wrong choice.

2018: deciding scouting wasn’t really for him, Owings took a coaching position in Billings Montana. They won the second half.

2019: the Reds were grooming Micah to be a pitching coach, but the front office men that liked him lost their power, and Owings didn’t get the job. He bought property in Dahlonega as an investment, but when the market collapsed he decided to build instead. He had never spent more than two years in any one place, leading Micah to think God was leading him to the life of a coach. All along the way he was thankful for a strong support system, particularly his dad and family.

Ownings had never been knocked out of a game in the first or second inning. Once when he was knocked out of a game in Pittsburgh in the third inning, his dad was there to console him. Micah didn’t want to wait for the team bus, so the pair walked back to the hotel.

He bought an interest in a Sunbelt Baseball League team, a summer college league with teams in and around the Atlanta area. He moved his team to Gainesville and signed on as coach, recruiting most of his own players. Micah showed up wearing a GolDiggers cap and shirt, and said he’d send us one, and set up with tickets to games.

In 2020 covid shut down the season, but Micah organized scrimmages, treating it like MLB spring training.

2021 the GolDiggers lost their first six games but finished 22-10, winning their last ten.

2022 with most of his own guys, Gainesville finished 25-7. Owings advises his players as they negotiate with teams, but doesn’t take an agent’s cut. “That’s their money”, he says. He’s toyed with become an agent, but isn’t interested in getting certified, a necessary step once a player makes the 40 man roster.

When pitcher/hitter Ohtani came over from Japan, Micah was surprised by a call from reported Buster Onley, who wanted to talk to the most recent great pitcher/hitter. Owings wonders if the Angel might eventually become a closer.

This spring Micah is coaching an 8U team, and drills brother in law Matt Tuiasosopo‘s two young sons. One is the top-ranked 8 year old in the 100 player league. Matt is the Striper’s manager, highly thought of throughout baseball as a future MLB manager.

Micah’s two rules as a manager: have fun and respect the coaches. He sees too many college players chirping at opponents and umpires these days. His sister runs a ministry, encouraging parents and grandparents the importance of a hug after the game.

Owing’s three best NL hitters: Freeman, Harper, and Charlie Blackmon.

There were eleven in attendance: Johnny, Micah, Jerry, Cecil, old Tom Curran, Eddie, Bradsher, lawyer Dave, Johnny’s nephew, Johnny’s friend, and me.