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  • Terry Steinbach

    Birth Date: 03/02/1962

    Terry Steinbach Autograph

    Terry Steinbach's Autograph

    Terry Steinbach Bio

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    Terry Lee Steinbach was born on March 2, 1962 in New Ulm, Minnesota.

    The Oakland Athletics selected him in round nine of the 1983 MLB Draft out of the University of Minnesota. He made his Major League debut for them in 1986, and spent 11 seasons with the Athletics. Steinbach was an All-Star three times, winning All-Star Game MVP in 1988. Oakland won three straight AL pennants in 1988, 1989 and 1990. They won the World Series in 1989.

    Steinbach had his best offensive season in 1996, hitting a career high 34 home runs for the Athletics. He signed a two year deal with the Minnesota Twins in free agency, turning down several larger offers to return to his home state. Steinbach had always maintained an off-season home in Minnesota, and thought this move would be best with his kids finally getting old enough to start school.

    He hit .248 with 12 home runs and 54 RBI during his first season with the Twins, starting 112 games behind home plate. His offense was especially good in front of the home fans, posting a .778 OPS at home compared to a .611 clip on the road. Steinbach hit .242 with 14 home runs and 54 RBI during the 1998 campaign.

    Minnesota re-signed him in 1999. Steinbach battled a few injuries at age 37, but was still able to hit .284 over 101 games. He caught the Eric Milton no-hitter on September 11, 1999. The no-hitter was also his final career game with multiple extra base hits, as Steinbach delivered a double and a triple at the plate. The Twins won 7-0. He announced his retirement after the season.

    The St. Louis Cardinals, who were managed by his former Oakland skipper Tony La Russa, tried to coax him out of retirement early in the year. USA Baseball also offered him a roster spot for the upcoming Olympics. Steinbach was seriously considering both offers, but wound up tearing his hamstring in a water skiing accident before making any decisions.

    He was the varsity baseball coach at Wayzata High School in Plymouth, Minnesota from 2008 to 2012. When the high school season ended, Steinbach would then work as a roving minor league catching instructor for the Twins. They hired him as the Major League bench coach for Ron Gardehire in 2013. The Twins interviewed him for the managerial position when Gardenhire was fired after the 2014 season, but the job went to Paul Molitor. Steinbach was not retained on the coaching staff.

    Notable Events & Trivia

    • 1989 World Series champion
    • 3x All-Star
      • 1988 All-Star Game MVP
    • 1994 AL fielding percentage leader among catchers
    • Caught two no-hitters
      • Dave Stewart in 1990
      • Eric Milton in 1999
    • 1989 Dick Siebert Award
      • Upper Midwest Player of the Year

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    Unsung Heroes of Twins Baseball: The Catchers

    No-hitters and perfect games certainly are some of the most entertaining games to watch in baseball.  Pitchers have a stressful job on the mound, but they are complemented by another position that sits behind the plate and helps them to get through those moments and games.

    The catcher is often the forgotten unsung hero of the no-hitters, perfect games, and game-day preparation.

    Minnesota Made: Brian Raabe

    The Land of 10,000 Lakes has a rich history of cultivating homegrown talent in the sport of baseball. Hear the authentic stories of those who grew up in Minnesota and have had the chance to fulfill the childhood dream of wearing a Twins jersey.

    Twins Almanac for February 25–March 3

    This week's Almanac marks the birthdates of Minnesotan major leaguers Joe Fautsch, Joe Jaeger, Lefty Bertrand, Mickey Rocco, Johnny Blanchard, Mike Johnson, Terry Steinbach, Bob Hegman, Dana Kiecker, and Glen Perkins.

    Introducing Major Minnesotans

    I am a 32-year-old student of the game and aspiring baseball writer, born and raised in Zimmerman, MN. I am a ‘02 graduate of the Elk River Area High School. Yes, I was there in 2000, albeit as the backup catcher, when Paul Feiner dealt Joe Mauer the one and only strikeout of his high school career.

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    Terry Steinbach Baseball Cards

    Page Creator:

    William Malone

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