Steve Luebber
Encyclopedia
Stephen Lee Luebber is a former Major League Baseball
pitcher. Luebber pitched in all or part of five seasons in the majors between and . He currently serves as pitching coach for the Wilmington Blue Rocks
, single-A farm team for the Kansas City Royals
Luebber was drafted by the Minnesota Twins
in the 13th round of the 1967 Major League Baseball Draft
. He made his major league debut for the Twins in 1971, pitching in 18 games and starting 12, going 2-5 with a 5.03 ERA. He was returned to the minors in , appearing in two games for the Twins in September.
Luebber spent the next three seasons in the minor leagues before finally returning to the major leagues in . That season, he set career bests in every major category, going 4-5 with an ERA at 4.00. After another season in the minors, the Twins released Luebber in October of .
After spending in the Chicago White Sox
organization, Luebber returned to the majors in with the Toronto Blue Jays
. He pitched in one game for them that September, pitching to three batters in a game against the Boston Red Sox
without retiring a batter. The Blue Jays released him the following spring, and he was signed to a minor league contract by the Baltimore Orioles
. In he was called up to the majors one last time, pitching in seven games with a 7.56 ERA.
Luebber continued to pitch in the minor leagues for several more seasons, mostly cameo appearances in the San Diego Padres
farm system. In he moved on to the Senior Professional Baseball Association
, where he pitched two seasons for the Fort Myers Sun Sox
. He finally retired after the season at age 40.
After his playing career, Luebber moved into the coaching ranks. He has coached in the Padres, Orioles, Texas Rangers
, Florida Marlins
and most recently the Royals' organization. In he was the pitching coach for the Burlington Bees
, and in he moved into the same position with the Wilmington Blue Rocks, a position he continues to hold.
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...
pitcher. Luebber pitched in all or part of five seasons in the majors between and . He currently serves as pitching coach for the Wilmington Blue Rocks
Wilmington Blue Rocks
The Wilmington Blue Rocks are a Minor League Baseball team located in Wilmington, Delaware. The Blue Rocks play in the Northern Division of the Carolina League.-Franchise history:...
, single-A farm team for the Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
Luebber was drafted by 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 the 13th round of the 1967 Major League Baseball Draft
1967 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...
. He made his major league debut for the Twins in 1971, pitching in 18 games and starting 12, going 2-5 with a 5.03 ERA. He was returned to the minors in , appearing in two games for the Twins in September.
Luebber spent the next three seasons in the minor leagues before finally returning to the major leagues in . That season, he set career bests in every major category, going 4-5 with an ERA at 4.00. After another season in the minors, the Twins released Luebber in October of .
After spending in the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
organization, Luebber returned to the majors in with the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
. He pitched in one game for them that September, pitching to three batters in a game against the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
without retiring a batter. The Blue Jays released him the following spring, and he was signed to a minor league contract by the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
. In he was called up to the majors one last time, pitching in seven games with a 7.56 ERA.
Luebber continued to pitch in the minor leagues for several more seasons, mostly cameo appearances in 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...
farm system. In he moved on to the Senior Professional Baseball Association
Senior Professional Baseball Association
The Senior Professional Baseball Association was a winter baseball league based in Florida for players age 35 and over . The league began play in 1989 and had eight teams in two divisions and a 72 game schedule...
, where he pitched two seasons for the Fort Myers Sun Sox
Fort Myers Sun Sox
The Fort Myers Sun Sox were one of the eight original franchises that began play in the Senior Professional Baseball Association in 1989. The Sun Sox finished their inaugural season in second place in the Southern Division with a 37-35 record. Their offense was led by the league's top hitter, Tim...
. He finally retired after the season at age 40.
After his playing career, Luebber moved into the coaching ranks. He has coached in the Padres, Orioles, 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...
, Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
and most recently the Royals' organization. In he was the pitching coach for the Burlington Bees
Burlington Bees
The Burlington Bees are a Class A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Oakland Athletics, that plays in the Midwest League. Their home is in Burlington, Iowa.-History:...
, and in he moved into the same position with the Wilmington Blue Rocks, a position he continues to hold.