Charlie O'Brien (born May 1, 1960 in Tulsa, Oklahoma) is a former Major League Baseball catcher who played for the Oakland Athletics (1985), Milwaukee Brewers (1987-90), New York Mets (1990-93), Atlanta Braves (1994-95), Toronto Blue Jays (1996-97), Chicago White Sox (1998), Anaheim Angels (1998-99) and Montreal Expos (2000). While growing up in Tulsa, O'Brien attended and graduated from Bishop Kelley High School.
O'Brien was a solid defensive catcher and a modest right-handed batter. He is best remembered for pioneering the hockey-style catcher's mask.
After getting smashed in his mask by two consecutive foul-tip balls in a game, O'Brien had the idea for a new catcher's mask (a helmet, actually) while he was watching a hockey game. He worked with Van Velden Mask Inc., of Ontario, Canada, to develop his idea. The new design, called the All-Star MVP, was approved in 1996 by Major League Baseball.
In 15-year career, O'Brien batted for .221 with 56 home runs and 261 runs batted in.
