Matt Walbeck
Encyclopedia
Matthew Lovick Walbeck is a former right-handed Major League Baseball
catcher who played from to for the Chicago Cubs
, Minnesota Twins
, Detroit Tigers
, Anaheim Angels
and Philadelphia Phillies
. He attended Sacramento High School
.
Walbeck is the former third base and catching coach for the Texas Rangers
.
. His rookie season would not be very successful; he hit only .200 in 30 at-bats that season. Walbeck hit the first home run of his career that season, off Jose DeLeon
on April 18.
) to the Twins for pitcher Willie Banks
.
Although his 1993 stats were fairly unimpressive, Walbeck was the Twins' primary catcher in and . In 338 at-bats with the Twins in 1994, he hit .204. On April 27 of that year, he caught Scott Erickson
's no-hitter
. His batting average was better in 1995; he hit .257 in 393 at-bats. He began the season as the team's starter in , but hit only .223 in 65 games and was replaced by Greg Myers as the starter.
was the everyday starter , Walbeck did see a fair amount of playing time in . In 47 games, he hit .277 with three home runs. He also spent 17 games in the minors, where he hit .305 in 59 at-bats.
to the Angels for minor leaguer Nick Skuse.
Mostly used as the team's starter in , Walbeck hit .257 with a career high six home runs (a total that would be matched in ).
He appeared in 107 games in , averaging three at-bats a game while platooning with Bengie Molina
and Steve Decker
. Walbeck hit only .240 in 1999.
In 47 games in , he hit only .199 in 146 at-bats, and lost his starting job to Molina. After the season, Walbeck was granted free-agency.
and then purchased by the Phillies in June , playing a total of 107 games in the minors that season. He appeared in only one game for the Phillies in 2001, as a pinch hitter for pitcher Vicente Padilla
.
After 2001, he was again granted free agency and signed by the San Diego Padres
. Before he could appear in a single regular season game with the Padres, though, he was traded back to the Tigers, on March 22, 2002. He was sent with Damian Jackson
for Javier Cardona
and minor leaguer Rich Gomez.
He played in 27 games for the Tigers in , batting .235 in 85 at-bats. He spent 21 games in the minors that year, hitting only .213. After the season, he was granted free agency from the Tigers, only to be resigned by them before the 2003 season.
2003 was Walbeck's final season. In 138 games for the Tigers, he hit a career-low .174 (although he did hit .417 in four games in the minors that year). He played his final game against one of his former teams-the Twins-on September 28, 2003. He replaced A.J. Hinch as a defensive substitution in that game. On September 23 of that year, he had appeared in his final at-bat-he struck out. His final hit, a two-run home run, came on August 8 off pitcher Kenny Rogers
.
Overall, he hit .233 with 28 home runs and 208 RBI in his 11 year career. He stole 13 bases and was caught 12 times. In 2109 at-bats (682 games), he walked 133 times and struck out 343 times. Of all catchers with at least 2000 plate appearances from 1990–2009, he had the worst career OPS (on base percentage plus slugging percentage).
offered him the manager position of their low Class A affiliate, the West Michigan Whitecaps
. In his first year he guided the Whitecaps to the 2004 Midwest League
title. The Whitecaps would again win the Midwest League championship in 2006. After the 2006 season, Walbeck left West Michigan to fill the vacant manager position with the Tigers' Class AA affiliate, the Erie SeaWolves
, where he was named EL Manager of the Year. Baseball America
named Walbeck the 2007 Minor League Manager of the Year, spanning all minor league levels. Additional accolades include 2006 Midwest League Manager of the Year, and Baseball America “Best Tools” Manager in 2005 and 2006.
On November 7, 2007, Walbeck was hired by the Texas Rangers
to be their third base coach . In addition to those duties, Walbeck also handled the catchers and coordinated spring training activities. Walbeck was fired at the end of the 2008 season.
On December 19, 2008, Walbeck landed back in the minors, managing the Eastern League Altoona Curve
. In 2010, Walbeck's Curve won the EL championship, and he was again named EL Manager of the Year, but the Pirates fired him after the playoffs.
Walbeck was hired to manage the Rome Braves, the class-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves for the 2011 season, but was fired on July 7, 2011 after compiling one of the worst record in the minor leagues.
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 who played from to for the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
, Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
, Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
, Anaheim Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
and Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia 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...
. He attended Sacramento High School
Sacramento High School
Sacramento Charter High School is an independent public charter high school located in the Alhambra Triangle, adjacent to the Oak Park neighborhood in Sacramento, California. Its charter was approved by the Sacramento City Unified School District's Board of Trustees on July 21, 2003...
.
Walbeck is the former third base and catching coach for the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
.
The draft and the minor leagues
Standing at 5'11" tall and weighing 190 pounds, Walbeck was taken by the Cubs 192nd overall (eighth round) by the Cubs in the 1987 draft. Although his professional career-started off very well-he hit .314 in 51 games in 1987-he would eventually level out and become an average hitter. He was not much of a power hitter, nor did he consistently hit for a high average. His best minor league season was perhaps , when he hit .301 with seven home runs and 42 RBI. He did try stealing bases seven times that year, but was caught every single time.The Major Leagues
Walbeck made his Major League debut on April 7, 1993 at the age of 23 against the Atlanta BravesAtlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
. His rookie season would not be very successful; he hit only .200 in 30 at-bats that season. Walbeck hit the first home run of his career that season, off Jose DeLeon
Jose DeLeon
José DeLeón Chestaro is a former professional baseball player. He was a right-handed pitcher over parts of thirteen seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago White Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies, and Montreal Expos. He was the National League strikeout champion in 1989 with...
on April 18.
To the Twins
On November 24, 1993, the Cubs traded Walbeck (with Dave StevensDave Stevens (baseball)
David James Stevens is an American former Major League Baseball player. A pitcher, Stevens played for the Minnesota Twins , Chicago Cubs , Cleveland Indians , and Atlanta Braves .-External links:...
) to the Twins for pitcher Willie Banks
Willie Banks (baseball)
Willie Anthony Banks was a pitcher for Major League Baseball's Minnesota Twins , Chicago Cubs , Los Angeles Dodgers , Florida Marlins , New York Yankees , Arizona Diamondbacks and Boston Red Sox .Banks was a member of the 1991 World Series champion Minnesota Twins, the 1995...
.
Although his 1993 stats were fairly unimpressive, Walbeck was the Twins' primary catcher in and . In 338 at-bats with the Twins in 1994, he hit .204. On April 27 of that year, he caught Scott Erickson
Scott Erickson
Scott Gavin Erickson is a former Major League Baseball pitcher.-Career:Erickson was born in Long Beach, California, and began his professional career, after being drafted by the NY Mets in 1986, Houston Astros in 1987, and Toronto Blue Jays in 1988, in when he was drafted by the Minnesota Twins...
's no-hitter
No-hitter
A no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
. His batting average was better in 1995; he hit .257 in 393 at-bats. He began the season as the team's starter in , but hit only .223 in 65 games and was replaced by Greg Myers as the starter.
Onto the Tigers, Part 1
On December 11, 1996, the Twins traded Walbeck to the Tigers for minor leaguer Brent Stentz. Although Raul CasanovaRaul Casanova
Raul Casanova was a Major League Baseball catcher from 1996 to 2008 with the exception of 1999 and 2006.-Minor leagues:He was drafted 220th overall, in the eighth round of the draft by the New York Mets....
was the everyday starter , Walbeck did see a fair amount of playing time in . In 47 games, he hit .277 with three home runs. He also spent 17 games in the minors, where he hit .305 in 59 at-bats.
Off to the Angels
On November 20, 1997, the Tigers traded Walbeck with Phil NevinPhil Nevin
Phillip Joseph Nevin is a retired American professional baseball player who spent twelve seasons in Major League Baseball with the Houston Astros , Detroit Tigers , Anaheim Angels , San Diego Padres , Texas Rangers , Chicago Cubs and Minnesota Twins...
to the Angels for minor leaguer Nick Skuse.
Mostly used as the team's starter in , Walbeck hit .257 with a career high six home runs (a total that would be matched in ).
He appeared in 107 games in , averaging three at-bats a game while platooning with Bengie Molina
Bengie Molina
Benjamin José "Bengie" Molina , nicknamed "Big Money", is a former Major League Baseball catcher.He is the older brother of major league catchers José Molina and Yadier Molina....
and Steve Decker
Steve Decker
Stephen Michael Decker , is a former Major League Baseball catcher who played from -, -, and . He is the current manager of the Fresno Grizzlies, the Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants....
. Walbeck hit only .240 in 1999.
In 47 games in , he hit only .199 in 146 at-bats, and lost his starting job to Molina. After the season, Walbeck was granted free-agency.
Back to the minors
Walbeck-who was signed by the Cincinnati RedsCincinnati 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....
and then purchased by the Phillies in June , playing a total of 107 games in the minors that season. He appeared in only one game for the Phillies in 2001, as a pinch hitter for pitcher Vicente Padilla
Vicente Padilla
Vicente de la Cruz Padilla is a Major League Baseball pitcher, who is a free agent. Padilla previously pitched for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Philadelphia Phillies and Texas Rangers...
.
After 2001, he was again granted free agency and signed by the San Diego Padres
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...
. Before he could appear in a single regular season game with the Padres, though, he was traded back to the Tigers, on March 22, 2002. He was sent with Damian Jackson
Damian Jackson
Damian Jacques Jackson is a major league second baseman who currently plays for the Orange County Flyers of the independent Golden Baseball League. He bats and throws right-handed.-Early life:...
for Javier Cardona
Javier Cardona
Javier Peterson Cardona is a former Major League Baseball catcher. He played in Major League Baseball with the Detroit Tigers and San Diego Padres .-External links:...
and minor leaguer Rich Gomez.
He played in 27 games for the Tigers in , batting .235 in 85 at-bats. He spent 21 games in the minors that year, hitting only .213. After the season, he was granted free agency from the Tigers, only to be resigned by them before the 2003 season.
2003 was Walbeck's final season. In 138 games for the Tigers, he hit a career-low .174 (although he did hit .417 in four games in the minors that year). He played his final game against one of his former teams-the Twins-on September 28, 2003. He replaced A.J. Hinch as a defensive substitution in that game. On September 23 of that year, he had appeared in his final at-bat-he struck out. His final hit, a two-run home run, came on August 8 off pitcher Kenny Rogers
Kenny Rogers (baseball player)
Kenneth Scott Rogers is a former American Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. During a 20-year baseball career, he pitched from 1989-2008 for six different teams. In addition to being known for his fielding , he pitched the fourteenth perfect game in major league baseball history...
.
Overall, he hit .233 with 28 home runs and 208 RBI in his 11 year career. He stole 13 bases and was caught 12 times. In 2109 at-bats (682 games), he walked 133 times and struck out 343 times. Of all catchers with at least 2000 plate appearances from 1990–2009, he had the worst career OPS (on base percentage plus slugging percentage).
Managerial career
After his retirement in 2003, the Detroit TigersDetroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
offered him the manager position of their low Class A affiliate, the West Michigan Whitecaps
West Michigan Whitecaps
The West Michigan Whitecaps are a Class A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Detroit Tigers, that plays in the Midwest League. Their home games are played in Comstock Park, Michigan, a suburb of Grand Rapids.-Franchise history:...
. In his first year he guided the Whitecaps to the 2004 Midwest League
Midwest League
The Midwest League is a Class-A minor league baseball league which operates in the Midwestern United States.-History:Six teams – the Belleville Stags, the Centralia Cubs, the Marion Indians, the Mattoon Indians or East Frankfort White Sox, the Mount Vernon Braves, and the West Frankfort...
title. The Whitecaps would again win the Midwest League championship in 2006. After the 2006 season, Walbeck left West Michigan to fill the vacant manager position with the Tigers' Class AA affiliate, the Erie SeaWolves
Erie SeaWolves
The Erie SeaWolves are a minor league baseball team based in Erie, Pennsylvania. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers Major League Baseball club....
, where he was named EL Manager of the Year. Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
named Walbeck the 2007 Minor League Manager of the Year, spanning all minor league levels. Additional accolades include 2006 Midwest League Manager of the Year, and Baseball America “Best Tools” Manager in 2005 and 2006.
On November 7, 2007, Walbeck was hired by the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
to be their third base coach . In addition to those duties, Walbeck also handled the catchers and coordinated spring training activities. Walbeck was fired at the end of the 2008 season.
On December 19, 2008, Walbeck landed back in the minors, managing the Eastern League Altoona Curve
Altoona Curve
The Altoona Curve are a minor league baseball team based in Altoona, Pennsylvania, named after nearby Horseshoe Curve . The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates major-league club...
. In 2010, Walbeck's Curve won the EL championship, and he was again named EL Manager of the Year, but the Pirates fired him after the playoffs.
Walbeck was hired to manage the Rome Braves, the class-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves for the 2011 season, but was fired on July 7, 2011 after compiling one of the worst record in the minor leagues.