Ed Mickelson, a former Major League Baseball player and one of the oldest surviving veterans of the sport, has passed away at the age of 98. Though his professional baseball career was brief—spanning just 18 games between 1950 and 1957—Mickelson left a lasting mark on St. Louis baseball history. On September 27, 1953, he drove in the final run in the history of the St. Louis Browns before the team relocated to Baltimore and became the Orioles.
Mickelson played five games for the Cardinals, seven for the Browns, and six for the Chicago Cubs. He was a standout multi-sport athlete at University City High School, standing 6’3″ and excelling in basketball, football, and baseball. Initially awarded a basketball scholarship to the University of Tennessee, he transferred back to Missouri and continued playing both football and basketball at Washington University in St. Louis.
His athletic journey paused when he joined the Army Air Corps in 1944, serving for 18 months during World War II. At the time of his passing, he was one of only three living MLB players known to have served in the war. After his service, Mickelson played basketball under coach Hank Iba at Oklahoma A&M, despite being on a baseball scholarship, and signed with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1947, having played only 30 baseball games prior—15 in high school and 15 in college.
Mickelson made his MLB debut in 1950 and collected a hit off Hall of Famer Warren Spahn in his second game. With first base occupied by Stan Musial in St. Louis, Mickelson’s opportunity to advance with the Cardinals was limited. In 1953, he joined the Browns and, in their final game, drove in the team’s last-ever run with an RBI single.
After the Browns became the Orioles, Mickelson continued his career in the minors, notably performing well with the Portland Beavers of the Pacific Coast League. His success there led to a short stint with the Cubs in 1957, although he went hitless in 12 at-bats before ending his playing career in Illinois.
Mickelson is survived by his wife, Mary, their children Eric and Julie, eight grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren. He shared his life story in a 2007 memoir titled A Memoir of a Minor League Baseball All-Star, detailing his experiences through wartime service, injuries, and the challenges of a career in professional baseball.
About the Author
