Michael Earl Payne (November 15, 1961 – August 4, 2002) was an American Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher.

[1] In 1976, Payne entered a contest and won a trip to St. Louis to attend a three-game series of the Atlanta Braves.

Later, he worked as assistant coach at Williston High, serving under Paul Runge, a former teammate for the Braves.

In 2000, the Dunnellon Tigers won 26 games, which set a new school record, and Payne was named Class 3A coach of the year.

On August 18, Dunnellon High principal Bobby James told the Tampa Bay Times that Payne was "still in a coma and in critical condition.

[2][7] Payne acquired a reputation for being a hard worker and a good coach, and he is remembered fondly both in Dunnellon and the surrounding area.

Joe Buccheri, a former instructor for the St. Louis Cardinals and a friend of Payne's, said "There wasn't anything to dislike about him.