Hall of Fame Profile: Michael Roth Enjoys Life After Baseball
Michael Roth (2009-2012) likes to keep things simple. The bio on the former Gamecock great and Major League Baseball pitcher’s Twitter feed reads, “Used to get paid for throwing baseballs. Now I sell buildings.” That’s pretty understated for a guy who helped lead South Carolina to three College World Series appearances, including back-to-back National Championships in 2010 and 2011, and is part of the University of South Carolina Athletics 2021 Hall of Fame class.
“If we try to keep things simple, it’s always best,” said Roth, who works in commercial real estate in Greenville, S.C. “Mentally, we can make things larger or grander than they need to be. One of the things I’ve found as I’ve gotten older is that if I keep what I share in public simpler, then it’s an easy way to hold myself accountable to the way I’m thinking and living.”
Right now, the 31-year-old Roth is living a good life with his wife, Rache,l and their two-month-old daughter, Harper.
“I’m still learning,” Roth said. “Marriage in general taught me how selfish I was! It helped me to put the passion that I had as an athlete into something else. Being a parent is a ton of fun. There are stressful moments. I didn’t expect to have the feelings that I feel, but being a parent is great.
“I know Rachel is a little upset because Harper looks a lot like me. She says, ‘I put all this work in for nine months, and she comes out looking exactly like you!’ It’s been a lot of fun.”
“It’s a good reminder for all athletes that you never know who’s watching and who you can impact even when you’re just playing a game and having fun like I used to do”
Roth posted a 26-6 record during his Carolina career and was a first-team All-American in 2012. His complete game performance in a 5-1 win over Clemson propelled the Gamecocks to its first baseball National Championship in 2010.
“Obviously winning two national championships and playing for a third were incredible moments,” Roth said of his Gamecock career. “It’s incredible for a team. The celebrations are all tons of fun. The fun that I had with teammates and the work that we put in stand out. I used to think that winning the national championship was the pinnacle of our success, but really it was all the work that we put in during the offseason, or the workouts on Friday afternoons or working out in the fall to prepare for the season. The fun that I was able to have with teammates on road trips and bus rides, those are some of the moments that I really cherish and the results that came with it were a ton of fun.”
Roth was selected in the ninth round of the MLB draft by the Los Angeles Angels in 2012 and played professional baseball through 2018, which included Major League Baseball stints with the Angels in 2013 and 2014 and after being traded, was a 2016 call up with the Texas Rangers.
“I’m just grateful that I had the opportunity to play at that level,” Roth said. “Even in the minor leagues, I played with a ton of really good ball players. Baseball provided me with a ton of opportunities. I got a chance to play overseas in Germany and in the Dominican Republic. I’ve traveled all over this country, and that led me into what I am doing today. I’m thankful for the time I got to play in those seven seasons.”
Roth recently turned down a chance to play in Italy, and he pitched for a British baseball team in Europe in 2019. Now that he’s out of the game, he’s at peace with hanging up his glove.
“I went and played some beer league softball with friends, and I hated it,” Roth said. “I’ve stayed away from the baseball fields lately for the most part. I’m into pickle ball right now. That and volleyball is what I get more jacked up about now. I love some grass volleyball!
“I was never really into watching baseball to begin with. I was really into playing it. One of the reasons I wanted to be a position player and hit was because you got to play every day. When I was a pitcher, I’d get bored when I wasn’t pitching. That’s why I did a lot of the ridiculous stuff in the dugout. Watching baseball was hard for me. I’m more of a doer.”
A decade removed from his glory days in the Garnet and Black, Roth is still recognized from adoring fans.
“I think some Gamecock fans still remember my name,” Roth said. “I’m a few pounds different than I was in my college days. It’s always good to interact with fans.”
Recently, a participant in the Little League World Series noted that Roth was one of his first idols.
“He must have been three at the time that I played,” Roth said. “He saw me pitch with that sidearm funky stuff that I threw. He does everything right-handed, but he pitches left-handed, which is cool. It’s a good reminder for all athletes that you never know who’s watching and who you can impact even when you’re just playing a game and having fun like I used to do.”
As he awaits his induction into the Hall of Fame, Roth can’t wait to share the moment with his entire family.
“Each of them had an impact on my career at South Carolina and beyond. Having Rachel and Harper there is going to be great. Having a child now, hopefully she’ll go to South Carolina when she’s older and maybe she’ll think I’m cool for it.
“I was excited when I found out about it. I was honored and grateful. I enjoyed my time at South Carolina, the teammates that I had, and the opportunities I was provided.”
The University of South Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be on October 14. Inductees will also be celebrated at the football game on October 16 when South Carolina hosts Vanderbilt.
