Steve Decker is a former professional baseball player who played as a catcher in the Major League Baseball (MLB) for several teams. He was born on October 25, 1965, in Rock Island, Illinois, and attended Lewis-Clark State College in Idaho.
Decker began his professional baseball career in 1988 when he was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 21st round of the MLB draft. He spent several years playing in the minor leagues before making his MLB debut with the Giants in 1990. He played for the Giants for three seasons before being traded to the Florida Marlins in 1993.
Decker played for the Marlins for one season before being traded to the Milwaukee Brewers in 1994. He played for the Brewers for two seasons before being traded back to the Giants in 1996. He played for the Giants for two more seasons before being traded to the Colorado Rockies in 1998. He played for the Rockies for one season before retiring from professional baseball in 1999.
Throughout his career, Decker was known for his defensive skills as a catcher. He was a solid receiver and had a strong arm, which made him a valuable asset to his teams. He was also known for his leadership skills and was often praised for his ability to work with pitchers and call a good game.
Despite his defensive skills, Decker struggled at the plate throughout his career. He finished his MLB career with a batting average of .217, with 10 home runs and 49 RBIs in 222 games played.
After retiring from professional baseball, Decker went on to become a coach and manager in the minor leagues. He served as a manager for several teams, including the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes, the Augusta GreenJackets, and the Richmond Flying Squirrels. He also served as a coach for the San Francisco Giants and the Baltimore Orioles.
In 2019, Decker was named the manager of the Sacramento River Cats, the Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. He led the team to a Pacific Coast League championship in his first season as manager.
Overall, Steve Decker had a solid career as a catcher in the MLB. While he struggled at the plate, he was known for his defensive skills and leadership abilities. After retiring from professional baseball, he went on to have a successful career as a coach and manager in the minor leagues.
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