Tom Wiedenbauer
Encyclopedia
Thomas John "Tom" Wiedenbauer (born November 5, 1958) is a former Major League Baseball
outfielder
and current MLB first-base coach
for the Cleveland Indians
.
in the seventh round of the 1976 Major League Baseball Draft
. He played four games for the Astros during the 1979 season
. He also spent time in the minor leagues as a pitcher
. He retired following the 1983 season.
After his playing career ended, Wiedenbauer remained with the Astros as a minor league coach. He was the manager of the Double-A Columbus Astros from 1987 to 1988. He served as an Astros minor league manager and instructor for the next 20-plus seasons.
as minor league field coordinator in 2011. The Indians named him first base coach
, with additional responsibilities for outfielders and baserunning, on October 14, 2011. Wiedenbauer will serve under Indians manager Manny Acta
, with whom Wiedenbauer worked in the Astros organization in the 1980s and '90s.
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...
outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
and current MLB first-base coach
Coach (baseball)
In baseball, a number of coaches assist in the smooth functioning of a team. They are assistants to the manager, or head coach, who determines the lineup and decides how to substitute players during the game...
for the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
.
Houston Astros
Wiedenbauer was drafted by the Houston AstrosHouston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
in the seventh round of the 1976 Major League Baseball Draft
1976 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1976 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :The 1976 Arizona State University team, considered by many to be the best collegiate team ever, played a major role in the draft. Floyd Bannister was picked number one...
. He played four games for the Astros during the 1979 season
1979 Houston Astros season
The 1979 Houston Astros season was a season in American baseball. The team finished second in the National League West, 1½ games behind the first-place Cincinnati Reds. The 1979 Astros were the last National League franchise in the 20th century to hit more triples than home runs...
. He also spent time in the minor leagues as a pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
. He retired following the 1983 season.
After his playing career ended, Wiedenbauer remained with the Astros as a minor league coach. He was the manager of the Double-A Columbus Astros from 1987 to 1988. He served as an Astros minor league manager and instructor for the next 20-plus seasons.
Cleveland Indians
Wiedenbauer joined the Cleveland IndiansCleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
as minor league field coordinator in 2011. The Indians named him first base coach
Coach (baseball)
In baseball, a number of coaches assist in the smooth functioning of a team. They are assistants to the manager, or head coach, who determines the lineup and decides how to substitute players during the game...
, with additional responsibilities for outfielders and baserunning, on October 14, 2011. Wiedenbauer will serve under Indians manager Manny Acta
Manny Acta
Manuel Elias Acta is a Major League Baseball manager for the Cleveland Indians. He is the former manager of the Washington Nationals . In the Dominican Winter League, he managed the Tigres del Licey from 2002–2004, including leading them to victory at the 2003 Caribbean Series...
, with whom Wiedenbauer worked in the Astros organization in the 1980s and '90s.