Matt Walbeck is a former professional baseball player who played as a catcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) for 11 seasons. He was born on October 2, 1969, in Sacramento, California, and attended Sacramento City College before being drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the eighth round of the 1987 MLB draft.
Walbeck made his MLB debut with the Cubs in 1993 and played for them until 1995. He then played for the Minnesota Twins from 1996 to 1998, the Detroit Tigers from 1999 to 2002, and the Philadelphia Phillies in 2003. Throughout his career, Walbeck was known for his strong defensive skills as a catcher and his ability to handle pitchers.
In 1997, Walbeck had his best offensive season, hitting .280 with 10 home runs and 59 runs batted in (RBIs) for the Twins. He also won a Gold Glove award that year for his defensive prowess. In 2000, he hit a career-high 11 home runs for the Tigers.
After retiring from playing in 2004, Walbeck began his coaching career. He served as a minor league manager for the Tigers, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Texas Rangers organizations. In 2009, he was named the manager of the Erie SeaWolves, the Double-A affiliate of the Tigers. He led the team to a 77-64 record and a playoff berth in his first season as manager.
In 2013, Walbeck was hired as the manager of the Texas Rangers' Triple-A affiliate, the Round Rock Express. He led the team to a 72-72 record in his first season and was named the Pacific Coast League Manager of the Year. He continued to manage the team until 2015.
In addition to his coaching career, Walbeck has also worked as a broadcaster for the Rangers and as a catching instructor for the Los Angeles Angels. He is known for his passion for the game and his ability to develop young players.
Overall, Matt Walbeck had a successful career as a catcher in MLB and has continued to make an impact in the sport as a coach and instructor. His dedication to the game and his ability to teach and develop players have made him a respected figure in the baseball community.
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