Michael Ralph Schooler (born August 10, 1962) is an American former professional baseball player. Schooler pitched in Major League Baseball (MLB) from - for the Seattle Mariners and the Texas Rangers. He attended Garden Grove High School in Garden Grove, California, Cal State Fullerton and Golden West College.
Professional career
Seattle Mariners
Schooler was selected by the Seattle Mariners in the second round, 35th overall, in the 1985 MLB draft.
He made his MLB debut on June 10, , against the Minnesota Twins pitching one scoreless inning.
Schooler became Seattle's closer in the second half of , saving 15 games and striking out better than a batter an inning. He surpassed that performance in , his first full season, improving his control and finishing third in the American League in saves, trailing only Jeff Russell and Bobby Thigpen. He was on pace for another good season in , but shoulder stiffness forced him to miss the final month.
He ended up posting thirty saves in 1990, good for eighth in the league, but the shoulder injury lingered, and forced him to miss the first half of the season. He returned July 12 and recorded seven saves, but his arm was still showing the effects of the injury. In , he allowed seven home runs, all of which tied the game or put the opposition in the lead. This resulted in a 4.70 ERA, by far the highest of his career. The Mariners released Schooler following the 1992 season. This paved the way for Norm Charlton to become the Mariners' new closer.
Texas Rangers
On March 22, , he was signed as a free agent by the Texas Rangers but was released on September 11 after going 3-0 with a 5.55 ERA in 17 games.
Post career
Schooler has been a gym teacher at Richardson Middle School, and Calle Mayor Middle School in Torrance, California. He is now a gym teacher at Ladera Ranch Middle School in Ladera Ranch, California.
Beginning in 2009, Schooler was the pitching coach for the San Clemente High School baseball team, in San Clemente, California. He coached high school baseball at San Juan Hills High School in San Juan Capistrano, California, from 2014 to 2016.