Rick Stelmaszek
Encyclopedia
Richard Francis Stelmaszek (born October 8, 1948) is a former Major League Baseball
catcher
, and the current bullpen coach for the Minnesota Twins
.
In , Stelmaszek will observe his 31st consecutive season on the Minnesota coaching staff and is the longest-tenured coach in Twins history. Stelmaszek trails only Nick Altrock
, who spent 42 consecutive years as a coach with the Washington Senators between and , and Manny Mota
, who entered his 32nd consecutive season with the Los Angeles Dodgers
in 2011, as the longest-tenured coach in baseball history.
out of Mendel High School in Chicago, Illinois, but didn't sign until August 28, keeping him from his minor league debut until 1968. The following year, Stelmaszek was assigned to Single-A and split time between the low Single-A Geneva Senators
and the Salisbury Senators
. In 1969, he was back at Single-A, this time for the Shelby Senators in the Western Carolina League
and played well, hitting .288 with 5 homeruns and making the league All-Star team. In 1970, Stelmaszek was promoted to AA Pittsfield
, but despite his overall production at the plate dropping (hitting only .246 with 4 home run
s and 47 runs batted in in 128 games), he was again named to the league all-star team. 1971 would see him promoted to AAA Denver where he hit only .247 with almost no power (1 homerun, 1 triple and 1 double in 73 games), but he earned a call up and made his major league debut on June 25. However, after going hitless in nine at-bats, he was back in the minors within a month.
, Indianapolis
and Denver, Stelmaszek earned a second call to the majors in . He was batting .143 in seven games with the Texas Rangers
when he was dealt to the California Angels with Mike Epstein
and Rich Hand
for Lloyd Allen
and Jim Spencer
. Stelmaszek would last only 22 games with the Angels and spent most of the season at AAA with the Salt Lake City Angels
.
He started the season back with Salt Lake City, but was traded to the Chicago Cubs
on July 28 for Horacio Pina
. Stelly hit his only career major league home run as a member of the Cubs on August 20 off Los Angeles Dodger Don Sutton. Sept 25, 1974 would be his last game in the majors.
Prior to spring training, Stelly was dealt to the New York Yankees
for Gerry Pirtle
, but would spend the season at AAA Syracuse. He returned to the Rangers' organization in , but again spent the season at AAA (this time with the Tucson Toros
. Stelmaszek would spend 1978, his last year playing organized ball, with the Minnesota Twins at Single A Wisconsin Rapids
as a player-manager.
and then Billy Gardner
.
During his coaching tenure with the Twins, which began in , Stelmaszek was a member of two World Series
championship teams (the and Twins) and he has worked under five different Minnesota managers
(Goryl, Gardner, Ray Miller, Tom Kelly
, and currently Ron Gardenhire
). The Twins signed him to a contract extension through in November .
Stelmaszek missed spring training and the first month of the 2011 season
due to eye surgery. Former Twins catcher Phil Roof
served as his replacement during his recovery.
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...
, and the current bullpen coach for the 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...
.
In , Stelmaszek will observe his 31st consecutive season on the Minnesota coaching staff and is the longest-tenured coach in Twins history. Stelmaszek trails only Nick Altrock
Nick Altrock
Nicholas Altrock was an American left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball.Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Altrock was one of the better pitchers in baseball for a brief period from to with the Chicago White Sox...
, who spent 42 consecutive years as a coach with the Washington Senators between and , and Manny Mota
Manny Mota
Manuel Rafael Mota Geronimo, more commonly known as Manny Mota was a Major League Baseball Outfielder for the San Francisco Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates, Montreal Expos and most notably the Los Angeles Dodgers, best known for his pinch hitting abilities...
, who entered his 32nd consecutive season with the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
in 2011, as the longest-tenured coach in baseball history.
Early years
Stelmaszek was drafted on June 6, 1967 by the Washington Senators in the eleventh round of the 1967 Major League Baseball Draft1967 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1967 Major League Baseball draft.- Background :The June draft was filled with talented prospects who would go on to pro careers...
out of Mendel High School in Chicago, Illinois, but didn't sign until August 28, keeping him from his minor league debut until 1968. The following year, Stelmaszek was assigned to Single-A and split time between the low Single-A Geneva Senators
Geneva Senators
The Geneva Senators were a minor league baseball team that existed from 1963 to 1968 and from 1970 to 1972. They were affiliated with the Washington Senators and Texas Rangers. Located in Geneva, New York, they played in the New York-Penn League and their home park was McDonough Park.-Year-by-year...
and the Salisbury Senators
Salisbury Senators
The Salisbury Senators were a minor league baseball team located in Salisbury, North Carolina. The team played in the South Atlantic League. Their home stadium was Newman Field....
. In 1969, he was back at Single-A, this time for the Shelby Senators in the Western Carolina League
Western Carolina League
The first Western Carolina League was a class D league which ran from 1948-1952, then combined with the North Carolina State League to form the Tar Heel League in 1953. The second Western Carolina League was formed as a class A circuit in 1960...
and played well, hitting .288 with 5 homeruns and making the league All-Star team. In 1970, Stelmaszek was promoted to AA Pittsfield
Pittsfield Senators
The Pittsfield Senators were a minor league baseball team that played from 1970 to 1975 in the Washington Senators minor league system. In 1972 when the Senators moved to Texas and became the Texas Rangers, Pittsfield changed its name to the Pittsfield Rangers .They were located in Pittsfield,...
, but despite his overall production at the plate dropping (hitting only .246 with 4 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s and 47 runs batted in in 128 games), he was again named to the league all-star team. 1971 would see him promoted to AAA Denver where he hit only .247 with almost no power (1 homerun, 1 triple and 1 double in 73 games), but he earned a call up and made his major league debut on June 25. However, after going hitless in nine at-bats, he was back in the minors within a month.
Major League career
After spending all of in the minors, splitting time between HawaiiHawaii Islanders
The Hawaii Islanders were a AAA minor league baseball team, based in Honolulu, Hawaii, that played in the Pacific Coast League from 1961 through 1987. The Islanders were originally an affiliate of the Kansas City Athletics. They played their home games at Honolulu Stadium, Honolulu's Aloha Stadium...
, Indianapolis
Indianapolis Indians
The Indianapolis Indians are a minor league baseball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates major-league club. The Indians play at Victory Field, located in downtown Indianapolis...
and Denver, Stelmaszek earned a second call to the majors in . He was batting .143 in seven games with 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...
when he was dealt to the California Angels with Mike Epstein
Mike Epstein
Michael Peter Epstein , nicknamed SuperJew, is a former Major League Baseball player for the Baltimore Orioles, Washington Senators, Oakland Athletics, Texas Rangers, and California Angels from –....
and Rich Hand
Rich Hand
Richard Allen Hand . He graduated from Lincoln High School in Seattle and attended University of Puget Sound. He is a retired professional baseball player who played four seasons for the Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, and California Angels of Major League Baseball...
for Lloyd Allen
Lloyd Allen
Lloyd Cecil Allen was a pitcher for the California Angels , Texas Rangers , and Chicago White Sox .In seven seasons he had an 8-25 win-loss record in 159 games, with 19 games started, 22 saves, 297⅓ innings pitched, 291 hits allowed, 183 runs allowed, 155 earned runs allowed, 19 home runs allowed,...
and Jim Spencer
Jim Spencer
James Lloyd Spencer was a Major League Baseball first baseman. Born in Hanover, Pennsylvania, the left-handed Spencer was recognized for his excellent fielding ability, but also served in later years as a designated hitter....
. Stelmaszek would last only 22 games with the Angels and spent most of the season at AAA with the Salt Lake City Angels
Salt Lake City Angels
The Salt Lake City Angels, a former member of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League, were a minor league affiliate of the California Angels from 1971 to 1974. The won the PCL title in 1971.-Notable players:Some notable players from the Salt Lake City Angels:...
.
He started the season back with Salt Lake City, but was traded to 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...
on July 28 for Horacio Pina
Horacio Piña
Horacio Piña García [pee'-nyah] is a former relief pitcher who played in Major League Baseball between and . Piña also played professionally in Mexico for several years...
. Stelly hit his only career major league home run as a member of the Cubs on August 20 off Los Angeles Dodger Don Sutton. Sept 25, 1974 would be his last game in the majors.
Prior to spring training, Stelly was dealt to the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
for Gerry Pirtle
Gerry Pirtle
Gerald Eugene "Gerry" Pirtle is an American former Major League Baseball player. A pitcher, Pirtle played for the Montreal Expos in...
, but would spend the season at AAA Syracuse. He returned to the Rangers' organization in , but again spent the season at AAA (this time with the Tucson Toros
Tucson Toros
The Tucson Toros are a professional baseball team based in Tucson, Arizona, in the United States. They are owned by Tucson Baseball, LLC with Jay Zucker as chairman of the board. Sean Smock is the team's general manager....
. Stelmaszek would spend 1978, his last year playing organized ball, with the Minnesota Twins at Single A Wisconsin Rapids
Wisconsin Rapids Twins
The Wisconsin Rapids Twins were a minor league baseball team that existed from 1963 to 1983. Affiliated with the Minnesota Twins, they played in the Midwest League and were located in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin...
as a player-manager.
Coaching career
After retiring as a player, Stelmaszek remained as the manager of Wisconsin Rapids through and was named Midwest League Manager of the Year in 1980 after leading his team to a 77-64 record. Following the season, he joined the Twins' major league coaching staff under first Johnny GorylJohnny Goryl
John Albert Goryl is a special adviser/player development for the Cleveland Indians and a former infielder, manager and coach in American Major League Baseball....
and then Billy Gardner
Billy Gardner
William Frederick Gardner is an American former Major League Baseball player, coach and manager. Gardner was a scrappy light-hitting second baseman who batted and threw right-handed. Gardner played for the New York Giants, Baltimore Orioles, Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees,...
.
During his coaching tenure with the Twins, which began in , Stelmaszek was a member of two World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
championship teams (the and Twins) and he has worked under five different Minnesota managers
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
(Goryl, Gardner, Ray Miller, Tom Kelly
Tom Kelly (baseball)
Jay Thomas Kelly , is the former manager of the Minnesota Twins baseball team from to . Currently, he serves as a Special Assistant to the General Manager for the Twins....
, and currently Ron Gardenhire
Ron Gardenhire
Ronald Clyde "Gardy" Gardenhire is a former Major League Baseball shortstop and current manager of the Minnesota Twins.He is six feet tall and weighed 175 pounds during most of his baseball career....
). The Twins signed him to a contract extension through in November .
Stelmaszek missed spring training and the first month of the 2011 season
2011 Minnesota Twins season
The Minnesota Twins season was the 51st season for the franchise in Minnesota, and the 111th overall in the American League. The team drew 3,168,107 fans during the year...
due to eye surgery. Former Twins catcher Phil Roof
Phil Roof
Phillip Anthony Roof is an American former professional baseball player, coach and minor league manager. He played for 15 seasons as a catcher in Major League Baseball in and from to , most notably for the Kansas City/Oakland Athletics and the Minnesota Twins...
served as his replacement during his recovery.