Amateur career

Steinbach attended New Ulm High School in New Ulm, Minnesota. The Cleveland Indians selected Steinbach in the 16th round of the 1980 Major League Baseball Draft, but Steinbach chose not to sign. He enrolled at the University of Minnesota, and played for the Minnesota Golden Gophers' college baseball team. With the Golden Gophers, Steinbach played as a third baseman. In 1983, he was named the Big Ten Conference Co-Player of the Year, with Rich Stoll of the University of Michigan.

Professional career

The Oakland Athletics selected Steinbach in the ninth round of the 1983 Major League Baseball Draft. Steinbach signed with the Athletics, and made his professional debut in the minor leagues. After two years as a third baseman, the Athletics moved Steinbach to catcher, and played him for two years in Class AA of the minor leagues.

Steinbach made his major league debut on September 12, 1986 against the Cleveland Indians when he hit a home run off of Greg Swindell in his first major league at-bat. He went on to be the starting catcher for Athletics' teams that won three straight American League pennants from 1988 to 1990, and the World Series in 1989. After leaving the Athletics following his career year in 1996, he played his last three years with the Minnesota Twins.

He was elected to the American League All-Star team 3 times (1988, 1989 and 1993). His 1988 selection was highly controversial because Steinbach had posted modest numbers in the first half of the season. However, during the game he accounted for both AL runs with a home run and sacrifice fly, and was named the game's MVP.

Steinbach caught two no-hitters during his career (Dave Stewart in 1990, Eric Milton in 1999).

Coaching

From 2008 to 2012, Steinbach was a coach for the Wayzata High School boys varsity baseball team in Plymouth, Minnesota. Steinbach's son Lucas played with the team during this time before graduating in June 2012. He also worked as the Twins' minor league instructor for thirteen years.

On October 22, 2012, the Twins hired Steinbach to be the bench coach and catching instructor on manager Ron Gardenhire's coaching staff, succeeding Steve Liddle. Stuart Turner, a catching prospect for the Twins, credited Steinbach's tutelage in spring training for his improvement as a catcher. In 2014, Steinbach managed games in April and August, when Gardenhire was unable to attend the game.

Personal life

Steinbach and his wife, Mary, have three adult children. Their two sons both play college baseball.

Terry's brother, Tom, was a teammate on the Golden Gophers' baseball team. Tom was the right fielder.

[ Source: Wikipedia ]