Ron Oester

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Ronald John Oester (born May 5, 1956, in Cincinnati, Ohio) was a Major League Baseball second baseman. Bill James described him as "a quiet, efficient player who was always overlooked".^[1]

Drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 9th round of the 1974 MLB amateur draft, Oester would make his Major League Baseball debut with the Cincinnati Reds on September 10, 1978, and appear in his final game on October 3, 1990.

Oester was one of a few major leaguers who did not wear batting gloves. He perpetually developed blisters on his hands, and according to teammates, they would develop into deep wounds on his palms.

On July 5, 1987, during a Mets-Reds game at Riverfront Stadium, the New York Mets' Mookie Wilson slid hard into second base during a double-play attempt. During the slide, Oester, who was playing second, collided with Wilson. His cleats got caught in the turf, and he tore his left ACL. Oester did not return to action until July 16, 1988.

Oester was a member of the Cincinnati Reds team that defeated the Oakland Athletics in the 1990 World Series. Although he lost the starting second baseman job to Mariano Duncan that season, Oester was one of the team's top pinch hitters, hitting .299 that season and going 2-for-4 (.500) in the postseason.

Oester was detained by police on Thursday, April 27, 2006, on charges of Disorderly Conduct.^[2] After his daughter was found guilty of a traffic offence, Mr. Oester allegedly became belligerent with a police officer or officers. The incident took place in front of the Campbell County Courthouse in Kentucky.

He is currently the manager of the Cincinnati Steam.