Brian Schneider
Encyclopedia
Brian Duncan Schneider is an American
Major League Baseball
catcher
.
to Peter and Karen Schneider. He has one sister.
in Northampton
, Pennsylvania
, in the state's highly competitive East Penn Conference (now known as the Lehigh Valley Conference
). He was named Player of the Year in Lehigh Valley
in both 1994 and 1995.
Schneider was selected by the Montreal Expos
in the 1995 June draft. In 1997 at the Class-A Cape Fear Crocs
of the South Atlantic League
, Schneider emerged as a premiere defensive player while accumulating solid offensive numbers and was named to the mid-season All-Star team.
spring training in 2000, Schneider was called up to the majors following an injury to regular catcher Chris Widger
. Schneider made his major league debut on May 26, 2000 at San Diego
, going 0-for-1 after coming into the game as a defensive replacement in the 9th inning. The following day he made his first start, going 2-for-3 including a double in the 6th inning for his first major league hit.
In the 2001 season Schneider split his time between the major league and the minors, but he made the most of his opportunities when he was given playing time with the Expos. He compiled a batting average of .317 in 27 games, driving in 6 runs and scoring 4 times. On September 22, 2001 Schneider hit his first career home run, coming off Scott Elarton
in the fifth inning of a 3-1 Expos victory over the Colorado Rockies
.
In 2002 Schneider served as the backup catcher to Michael Barrett. He made his outfield debut on June 4, 2002 against the Pittsburgh Pirates
, entering in left field after pinch-hitting for Wil Cordero
in the eighth inning. In 73 games Schneider hit .275 with 5 home runs, 29 RBIs and 19 doubles. On September 24, 2002 he was honored as the Expos' nominee for Major League Baseball's first annual Roberto Clemente Award
, losing out to Jim Thome
.
In 2003, his fourth season with the Expos, Schneider caught a majority of the club's games for the first time, and was behind the plate for a total of 841 innings. He was ranked fifth in the league in fielding with a .996 percentage, committing only three errors in 709 total chances. At the plate, he established career highs in numerous offensive categories, including hits (77), doubles (26), home runs (9), RBIs (46), total bases (132) and walks (37).
The 2004 season saw Schneider post career highs in hits (112), home runs (12) and RBIs (49). For the second straight season, he led major league catchers in throwing out base-stealers, with a 47.8 percent success rate. Schneider finished the season with a fielding percentage of .998, setting a new franchise single-season record for a catcher.
In 2005 Schneider threw out a majors-leading 38 percent of would-be base stealers. Between 2003 and 2005, he threw out 43.5 percent of base-stealers, the best ratio in baseball over that period.
Schneider struggled offensively during the first half of the 2006 season, hitting just .223 through August 4. His form picked up though, and he batted .324 with 9 doubles, 1 home run and 21 RBIs in the 42 games thereafter. For the first time since 2002, Schneider did not lead either the major leagues or the National League in percentage of base-stealers thrown out, gunning down just 27%.
Schneider was behind the plate catching Mike Bacsik
when Barry Bonds
hit his record-breaking 756th career home run on August 7, 2007.
traded Schneider and Ryan Church
to the New York Mets
for top prospect Lastings Milledge
. In his first season in New York, Schneider hit .257 with 9 home runs and 38 RBIs in 110 games. Schneider scored the first Mets run at Citi Field on a double hit by Luis Castillo.
. On July 8, 2010, Schneider hit a walk-off home run to give the Phillies a 4-3 win over the Cincinnati Reds
.
during the 2006 World Baseball Classic
, sharing catching duties with Jason Varitek
and former Nationals
teammate Michael Barrett. Schneider went 0-for-6 in the tournament, but started the USA's opener against Mexico
.
, Florida
with their two dogs, Dinger and Ribbie.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
.
Early life
Schneider was born in Jacksonville, FloridaJacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Florida in terms of both population and land area, and the largest city by area in the contiguous United States. It is the county seat of Duval County, with which the city government consolidated in 1968...
to Peter and Karen Schneider. He has one sister.
Early career
Schneider played high school baseball at Northampton Area High SchoolNorthampton Area High School
Northampton Area High School is the secondary school in the Northampton Area School District, located in Northampton, Pennsylvania, in the United States....
in Northampton
Northampton, Pennsylvania
Northampton is a borough in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. The borough is located in the Lehigh Valley region of eastern Pennsylvania...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, in the state's highly competitive East Penn Conference (now known as the Lehigh Valley Conference
Lehigh Valley Conference
The Lehigh Valley Interscholastic Athletic Conference is an athletic conference consisting of 12 large high schools from Lehigh and Northampton counties in the Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania, in the United States...
). He was named Player of the Year in Lehigh Valley
Lehigh Valley
The Lehigh Valley, known officially by the United States Census Bureau as the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metropolitan area and referred to locally as The Valley and A-B-E, is a metropolitan region consisting of Lehigh, Northampton, Berks, and Carbon counties in eastern Pennsylvania and...
in both 1994 and 1995.
Schneider was selected by the Montreal Expos
Montreal Expos
The Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
in the 1995 June draft. In 1997 at the Class-A Cape Fear Crocs
Cape Fear Crocs
The Cape Fear Crocs were a minor league baseball team in Fayetteville, North Carolina. They were a low-A class team that played in the South Atlantic League, and were a farm team of the Montreal Expos for the franchise’s entire tenure as the Cape Fear Crocs. They played all of their home games at...
of the South Atlantic League
South Atlantic League
The South Atlantic League is a minor league baseball league based chiefly in the Southeastern United States, with the exception of three teams in the Mid-Atlantic States...
, Schneider emerged as a premiere defensive player while accumulating solid offensive numbers and was named to the mid-season All-Star team.
Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals
After making a strong impression at the ExposMontreal Expos
The Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
spring training in 2000, Schneider was called up to the majors following an injury to regular catcher Chris Widger
Chris Widger
Christopher Jon Widger is a former Major League Baseball catcher.-Career:A third round pick in the 1992 Major League Baseball Draft, Widger played for the Seattle Mariners , Montréal Expos , New York Yankees , St. Louis Cardinals , Chicago White Sox , and Baltimore Orioles...
. Schneider made his major league debut on May 26, 2000 at San Diego
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
, going 0-for-1 after coming into the game as a defensive replacement in the 9th inning. The following day he made his first start, going 2-for-3 including a double in the 6th inning for his first major league hit.
In the 2001 season Schneider split his time between the major league and the minors, but he made the most of his opportunities when he was given playing time with the Expos. He compiled a batting average of .317 in 27 games, driving in 6 runs and scoring 4 times. On September 22, 2001 Schneider hit his first career home run, coming off Scott Elarton
Scott Elarton
Vincent Scott Elarton is a right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who is currently a free agent...
in the fifth inning of a 3-1 Expos victory over the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
.
In 2002 Schneider served as the backup catcher to Michael Barrett. He made his outfield debut on June 4, 2002 against the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
, entering in left field after pinch-hitting for Wil Cordero
Wil Cordero
Wilfredo Cordero Nieva is a former first baseman/outfielder in Major League Baseball. He was best known as a member of the Montreal Expos . Cordero made his Major League Baseball debut in 1992 and last played in...
in the eighth inning. In 73 games Schneider hit .275 with 5 home runs, 29 RBIs and 19 doubles. On September 24, 2002 he was honored as the Expos' nominee for Major League Baseball's first annual Roberto Clemente Award
Roberto Clemente Award
The Roberto Clemente Award is given annually to the Major League Baseball player who "best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and the individual's contribution to his team", as voted on by baseball fans and members of the media. It is named for Hall of Fame...
, losing out to Jim Thome
Jim Thome
James Howard "Jim" Thome is a Major League Baseball player for the Philadelphia Phillies. He is the eighth player to hit 600 home runs in the major leagues. He is widely considered a future Hall of Famer.-Cleveland Indians :...
.
In 2003, his fourth season with the Expos, Schneider caught a majority of the club's games for the first time, and was behind the plate for a total of 841 innings. He was ranked fifth in the league in fielding with a .996 percentage, committing only three errors in 709 total chances. At the plate, he established career highs in numerous offensive categories, including hits (77), doubles (26), home runs (9), RBIs (46), total bases (132) and walks (37).
In 2005 Schneider threw out a majors-leading 38 percent of would-be base stealers. Between 2003 and 2005, he threw out 43.5 percent of base-stealers, the best ratio in baseball over that period.
Schneider struggled offensively during the first half of the 2006 season, hitting just .223 through August 4. His form picked up though, and he batted .324 with 9 doubles, 1 home run and 21 RBIs in the 42 games thereafter. For the first time since 2002, Schneider did not lead either the major leagues or the National League in percentage of base-stealers thrown out, gunning down just 27%.
Schneider was behind the plate catching Mike Bacsik
Mike Bacsik (left-handed pitcher)
-External links:**...
when Barry Bonds
Barry Bonds
Barry Lamar Bonds is an American former Major League Baseball outfielder. Bonds played from 1986 to 2007, for the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants. He is the son of former major league All-Star Bobby Bonds...
hit his record-breaking 756th career home run on August 7, 2007.
New York Mets
On November 30, 2007 the Washington NationalsWashington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
traded Schneider and Ryan Church
Ryan Church (baseball)
Ryan Matthew Church Major League Baseball outfielder who is currently a free agent.-Cleveland Indians:...
to the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
for top prospect Lastings Milledge
Lastings Milledge
Lastings Darnell Milledge is an American professional baseball outfielder who is a free agent. He was the youngest player in the National League during the 2006 season.-Early life:Milledge was born in Bradenton, Florida...
. In his first season in New York, Schneider hit .257 with 9 home runs and 38 RBIs in 110 games. Schneider scored the first Mets run at Citi Field on a double hit by Luis Castillo.
Philadelphia Phillies
On December 1, 2009, Schneider signed a two-year deal with the Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
. On July 8, 2010, Schneider hit a walk-off home run to give the Phillies a 4-3 win over the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
.
2006 World Baseball Classic
Schneider was a member of the USA teamUnited States national baseball team
The United States National Baseball team represents the United States in international baseball competition. The United States has won the previous two Baseball World Cups, having lost this title to the Netherlands in 2011, and is currently second in the IBAF World Rankings, behind Cuba.The team...
during the 2006 World Baseball Classic
2006 World Baseball Classic
---------Pool B:-------------Pool C:-------------Pool D:-------------Pool 1:-----------------Pool 2:-------------Finals:-Semifinals:-Final:-Final standings:...
, sharing catching duties with Jason Varitek
Jason Varitek
Jason Andrew Varitek is an American professional baseball catcher who is a free agent. After being traded as a minor league prospect by the Seattle Mariners, Varitek has played his entire major league career for the Boston Red Sox...
and former Nationals
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
teammate Michael Barrett. Schneider went 0-for-6 in the tournament, but started the USA's opener against Mexico
Mexico national baseball team
The Mexico national baseball team is the baseball team which represents Mexico in international tournaments. They are currently the eighth ranked baseball team in the world.-Pan American Games:*1951 Bronze Medal *1963 Bronze Medal...
.
Personal life
On November 6, 2004 Schneider married Jordan Sproat. The couple's first daughter, Tatum, was born on March 3, 2007. The Schneider's welcomed their second child, a son Calin Duncan in 2009. On September 16, 2010, Brian and Jordan had their third child, a son named Holden McKinney. The family currently lives in Palm Beach GardensPalm Beach Gardens, Florida
Palm Beach Gardens is a city in Palm Beach County in the U.S. state of Florida. The city is in the center of a rapidly-developing area north of West Palm Beach in the northern part of the county and the South Florida metropolitan area. , the population was 48,452...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
with their two dogs, Dinger and Ribbie.