It has been two decades since Jamie Ogden retired from professional baseball with a back problem, and he has barely swung a bat since then.
When the Kenosha Kingfish, his team, invited him in 1992 to take part in their Legends Weekend with several former major league stars, he couldn’t resist.
“I’m not very active so preparing for this event was a lot of preparation, but it was all worth it,” said Ogden.
The 49-year-old White Bear Lake real estate agent and former Bear all-stater in two sports competed in a home run derby and celebrity softball game in the small town of Wisconsin August 27-28. The fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Club of Kenosha also included music, water entertainment, and fireworks.
The “legends” of the past were Brewers and Twins great Paul Molitor; Cy Young winner Rollie Fingers and racket Jose Canseco of the Oakland A’s; Twin pitchers Pat Mahomes Sr. (father of the Chiefs quarterback) and Willie Banks; Major league players Geoff Jenkins and Jeff Cirillo; and Wisconsin football stars Mike McKenzie of the Packers and Monte Ball of the Badgers.
The home run derby took place on a pier in Kenosha Harbor on Lake Michigan, lined with fans and live music.
“It was a blast. Jamie shared fifth place with nine homers, ”said Teresa Ogden, Jamie’s wife. In the softball game, Ogden played against the Legends with a team of ex-Kingfish players and other local celebrities. “Jamie left with a home run and a double 2 for 2,” reported Teresa.
Ogden, a Realty ONE Vertical director who lives and works in his hometown, said it was “phenomenal” to play with these guys. “Enjoying the fans again was something special. Especially Rollie fingers. He was so eager to be with these fans and support the cause. “
With the bears, Ogden recalls having made all the conferences four times, all the states three times, and twice the nomination to prepare all-American teams. With the northern team, he won a junior Olympic gold medal. Ogden also made it twice in basketball and finished second in a national dunking competition.
The 6-foot-5, 225-pound left-handed man first signed up to the University of Oklahoma to practice both sports.
“But the twins drafted me in the third round and voted what we had to sign,” he said, “so I went to Florida for the professional ball instead.”
Ogden’s first professional season was a very long camp in Ft. Myers, Florida. His 1992 season with Kenosha was his first taste of normal minor league life.
“It was wonderful for me because my parents, friends, and most importantly, my girlfriend and current wife could come and watch us play across the Midwest,” said Ogden.
“I did a lot of public relations with my extra time there. For this reason and because I was known for doing very long home runs – just not enough of them – they asked me to play. “
Ogden played nine seasons in the minor league, the last three in the Triple A with Salt Lake City. As a first baseman and outfielder, he had a career average of .262 and 71 homers. He reached .278 with 38 homers in his tenure in Salt Lake City. On the way he was teammate of Molitor, Kirby Puckett, Chuck Knoblauch, Dave Ortiz and Torii Hunter and played against several Hall of Famers, especially Derek Jeter.
Ogden has been to major league camps three times and played twice in the Arizona Fall League, but never got a major league reputation. After the 1998 season he left with back problems.
The reunion in Kenosha, with cheering fans on site, brought him back.
“It felt really good hearing ‘from White Bear Lake, Minnesota’ again when I announced my name,” he said. “We have a special place here that I am very proud of. A land of legends. “
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