Mick Challenge: A Worthy Cause And a Friend Worth Remembering
By Jim Wilson
Mickey Riley passed away in 2011 at 51 after a six-year battle with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Shortly thereafter, a group of close friends established the Mickey Riley Foundation, aimed at keeping the name of the former Oregon State baseball standout alive through scholarships, activities and events.
As a foundation board member, I have found that endeavor to be one of my life’s most rewarding experiences. Mickey was a great Beaver and even better friend to a ton of people.
“Mick had a great ability to make friends,” says Jack Riley, Mickey’s father and the coach who won 613 games in 22 seasons as Oregon State’s baseball coach, second only to Pat Casey in the program’s 115-year history.
With Ron Callan and Jim Wilson, offering our favorite Beaver athletes ever…
Note to readers: Jim Wilson and Ron Callan will serve as occasional guest columnists on my website. The Oregon State broadcasters’ first offering is a list of each’s top five favorite Beaver athletes to watch through the years. That’s not necessarily the best players, but the ones they most enjoyed watching at their craft.