Ron Oestrike, who was once a longtime head coach for Eastern Michigan University’s baseball program, will be inducted into the Michigan Baseball Hall of Fame.
The ceremony will take place Aug. 17 during the Lansing Lugnuts v. Dayton Dragons game at Cooley Law Stadium in Lansing.
Oestrike was a part of the EMU baseball program for over two decades. While a student at Eastern Michigan, he lettered in both baseball and football. Oestrike graduated from Eastern Michigan in 1954 and then earned his master’s degree at the University of Michigan. After serving in the U.S. Army, he began his coaching career at Trenton High School where he coached football.
In 1963, Oestrike returned to Eastern Michigan, becoming the head coach for the baseball team. He spent 23 years with the Eagles baseball program. During his time with the team, he led the Eagles to a 657-508-8 record. The Eagles won the NAIA national championship in 1970. Five years later, the Eagles won the MAC Championship then made it to the College World Series, finishing in fifth place. A year later, the Eagles made it back to the College World Series and Oestrike was named the NCAA National Coach of the Year. Overall, under Oestrike, the Eagles accomplished four MAC titles and five NCAA Regional appearances.
Oestrike was named MAC Coach of the Year and NCAA Regional Coach of the Year four times. During his time with the Eagles, he coached six All-Americans and 22 All-MAC First Team selections. He coached future MLB players such as Bryan Clutterbuck, Glenn Gulliver, Chris Hoiles, John Martin, Bob Owchinko, Ron Rightnowar, Pat Sheridan, Bob Welch and Mickey Weston. He was inducted into the E-Club Athletics Hall of Fame in 1979, the ABCA Hall of Fame in 1990 and the MAC Hall of Fame in 2017.
Oestrike passed away in 2014.
