Terry Steinbach is a former Major League Baseball catcher who played for the Oakland Athletics and Minnesota Twins during his career. Steinbach was born on March 2, 1962, in New Ulm, Minnesota, and attended the University of Minnesota, where he played college baseball.
Steinbach was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the ninth round of the 1983 MLB draft and made his major league debut in 1986. He quickly established himself as a reliable catcher and was named to the American League All-Star team in his rookie season. Steinbach was known for his strong arm and defensive skills behind the plate, as well as his ability to hit for power.
Steinbach played for the Athletics for ten seasons, from 1986 to 1996. During his time with the team, he won three Gold Glove Awards (1990, 1991, and 1992) and was named to the All-Star team twice (1986 and 1988). Steinbach was also a key player on the Athletics' World Series championship team in 1989, hitting .364 in the series and driving in four runs.
In 1997, Steinbach signed with the Minnesota Twins as a free agent. He played for the Twins for three seasons, from 1997 to 1999, before retiring from baseball at the end of the 1999 season. Steinbach continued to be a solid player for the Twins, hitting .282 in his first season with the team and earning his fourth and final All-Star selection in 1999.
Overall, Steinbach had a successful career in Major League Baseball, playing for 14 seasons and finishing with a career batting average of .271, 162 home runs, and 745 runs batted in. He was also known for his leadership and work ethic, serving as a mentor to many young players throughout his career.
After retiring from baseball, Steinbach remained involved in the sport as a coach and instructor. He served as a bench coach for the Twins in 2013 and 2014 and has also worked as a hitting coach and catching instructor at various levels of baseball.
In addition to his baseball career, Steinbach is also known for his philanthropic work. He and his wife, Mary, founded the Terry Steinbach Baseball Classic, a charity golf tournament that raises money for children's charities in Minnesota. Steinbach has also been involved with the Miracle League of Minnesota, an organization that provides opportunities for children with disabilities to play baseball.
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