Honoring the Legacy of Adolphus "Mickey" McGuire Jr. (1941–2025)
- RoShawn Winburn
- Oct 22
- 3 min read
Dayton Pioneer, Baltimore Oriole, Mentor, and Servant-Leader
M.C. Adolphus “Mickey” McGuire Jr., an enduring figure in Dayton sports, community, and faith, passed away peacefully on October 19, 2025, at the age of 84. Born on January 18, 1941, in Dayton, Ohio, as the seventh of 13 children, McGuire’s life journey stretched from the Melba Street sandlots to Major League stadiums, ultimately returning home to a dedicated career as a teacher, businessman, and anchor in the community. He is remembered for his quiet resolve, his passion for developing others, and a deep-seated faith that guided his every endeavor.
McGuire was a standout athlete at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, excelling in both football and basketball. He was the first, and only, freshman to play varsity in all three sports - basketball, football and baseball. He etched his name in local history by becoming the first Black quarterback in Montgomery County to be named All-City. Since Dunbar did not field a baseball team at the time, he honed his diamond skills playing with church, industrial, and amateur teams across the city. He often credited his older mentors for his development, recalling their guidance with a characteristic sense of gratitude. “I remembered most of the things they told me,” he once said, “and I practiced them at every opportunity.”
Professional Life
On February 15, 1960, the Baltimore Orioles signed the 19-year-old shortstop, impressed by his speed, defensive skills, and strong arm. He debuted in the Major Leagues on September 7, 1962, and returned to the Orioles in 1967. It was during that 1967 season that McGuire notched his first Major League hit, a single off Boston Red Sox left-hander Sparky Lyle.
McGuire’s professional career spanned 15 seasons across two continents, during which he played every infield position in the Orioles’ minor league chain. He enjoyed banner seasons under future Hall of Fame manager Earl Weaver at Triple-A Rochester, batting .307 in 1966, and later with the Triple-A Tucson Toros, where he hit an impressive .349 in 1971 and was voted the Pacific Coast League’s top utility player. He concluded his playing career by bringing his glove to Asia, playing for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp (1973–74) and contributing to the early wave of American players who helped globalize baseball.
Returning to Dayton, McGuire dedicated himself to what he called "building people." He coached at Wright State University and Central State University, assisted at his alma mater Dunbar, and led programs at the Miami Valley School. He spent countless hours shaping young athletes through First Dayton Little League, the DABC, and Ted Mills’ renowned baseball academy, where his calm, exacting standards left a lasting impression on generations of players.
Embodying his belief in "empowering people," McGuire completed his degree at Central State and transitioned his team-first discipline into the business world. He became an insurance agent and perennial top producer, introducing many Dayton families to the security of life insurance. Later, he served the public as an employee of the Montgomery County Treasurer’s Office.
A Life Centered in Faith and Family
Faith was the cornerstone of McGuire's life. Baptized at Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, he was an ordained deacon, sang in the choir, and worked on the finance committee. In later years, he joined St. Paul Global Outreach Ministries (now The Potter’s House–Dayton International Ministries) to support his son, Bishop Dr. Mark C. McGuire Sr., in ministry.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Betty Jane (Bradley) McGuire. He is survived by his wife, Dora (Hamrick) McGuire; his sons Mark (Angela) and M. Chris Sr. (Sherri); devoted grandchildren and great-grandchildren; a wide circle of loving siblings; and a host of kin and friends who felt like family.
Mickey McGuire’s story is a profound Dayton narrative: a barrier-breaking athlete who reached the big leagues, carried his talent to Japan, and then came home to build a legacy rooted in service and mentorship. His Major League stat line—16 games and 4 hits—only hints at the richer measure of the man, whose true impact is reflected in the countless lives he touched as a deacon, a coach, and a community leader.
Service Information
Visitation: Friday, October 24, 2025, 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m., House of Wheat Funeral Home, 2107 N. Gettysburg Ave., Dayton.
Funeral: Saturday, October 25, 2025, 12:00 p.m., Joshua Christian Ministries, 5800 Bigger Rd., Kettering.
