Post-retirement
After his playing career, he next spent 12 years working in New York City as a recreation specialist with young disturbed boys. Fulfilling a promise he had made to his mother, Battey enrolled at Bethune-Cookman University in 1980. Taking 34 credits a semester, he finished his undergraduate degree in Education in 2½ years, while coaching the men's basketball team, and was accorded the distinction of Summa Cum Laude honors. After graduating from Bethune-Cookman, he became a high school teacher and baseball coach in Ocala, Florida.
Battey was also part of a charity program sponsored by Consolidated Edison whereby children were given free bleacher tickets to New York Yankee games. He talked baseball and was a "big brother" to all the kids who were lucky enough to benefit from the program. Battey died of cancer at the age of 68 in Ocala, Florida.
In 2004, Battey was post-humously elected to the Twins Hall of Fame. In 2010, the Twins celebrated their 50th season in Minnesota and Battey was voted as one of the 50 Greatest Twins Players.
Read more about this topic: Earl Battey