Michael Joseph Roarke (June 30 1930 – October 30 2019) was an American professional baseball player and coach. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the St. Louis Cardinals during parts of the 1955 and 1957 seasons. Roarke’s MLB playing career was brief; he appeared in a total of 17 games, recording a batting average of .190 with one home run and three runs batted in.
After his playing days, Roarke transitioned to coaching. He served as a bullpen coach for the Boston Red Sox from 1970 through 1973, contributing to the team’s staff during a period that included the Red Sox’s 1975 American League pennant run (although he was not on the staff that season). Prior to his major‑league tenure, Roarke spent extensive time in the minor leagues as both a player and a manager, primarily within the Cardinals and Red Sox farm systems.
Roarke was born in Oakland, California, and after retiring from baseball he lived in the Boston area. He died on October 30 2019 at the age of 89.
Career statistics (MLB)
| Season | Team | Games | At‑bats | Hits | Batting Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1955 | St. Louis Cardinals | 6 | 8 | 2 | .250 | 0 | 0 |
| 1957 | St. Louis Cardinals | 11 | 21 | 3 | .143 | 1 | 3 |
| Total | 17 | 29 | 5 | .190 | 1 | 3 |
Roarke’s contributions are noted primarily for his role as a defensive specialist behind the plate and later as a trusted member of a major‑league coaching staff. His career reflects the typical trajectory of mid‑20th‑century professional baseball personnel who moved between playing, minor‑league management, and major‑league coaching positions.