Mike Lieberthal is on a short list of Ventura County high school baseball standouts to be selected
as the state player of the year. For the Westlake High catcher, the 1990 season would culminate
a four-year career that would see him rewriting school records in numerous categories.
As a senior, Lieberthal had 43 hits, 43 RBIs and 13 home runs. Four of the home runs came on a magical afternoon against Marmonte League rival Simi Valley. In that game, Lieberthal drove in a county record 10 runs with a grand slam, a three-run homer, a two-run homer and a solo home
run.
Capturing the attention of pro scouts, Lieberthal was the third-overall selection of the 1990 major
league baseball draft by the Philadelphia Phillies. His 13-year major league career began in 1994, batting .273 with 7 home runs and 23 RBIs in 50 games.
A two-time All-Star selection, Lieberthal’s best season came in 1999, when he averaged .300 with career bests 31 home runs and 96 RBIs. Behind the plate, Lieberthal was awarded a Golden Glove, committing just three errors and being part of 12 double plays.
Injuries cut short three seasons.
Lieberthal missed part of the 1997 season with a pelvic stress fracture. In 2000, an ankle injury
sustained in collision at home plate knocked him out for the rest of the season. The following
year, he tore his ACL and MCL in May and would miss the rest of the season.
Lieberthal returned in 2002 to average .279 with 15 home runs and 52 RBIs, winning the Sporting News Comeback Player of the Year award. He retired in 2007 with the Dodgers. For his career, Lieberthal averaged .274 with 150 home runs and 610 RBIs.
He was inducted into the So Cal Jewish Sports Hall of Fame and the International Jewish Sports
Hall of Fame. In retirement, the Westlake Village resident is involved with the Miracle League of
the 805, which gives children with handicaps an opportunity to play baseball on a field designed
for them.