Tim Laudner
Encyclopedia
Timothy Jon Laudner is a former Major League Baseball
catcher
who played for the Minnesota Twins
from 1981 to 1989.
in the 33rd round, but did not sign. After four years at the University of Missouri
, Laudner was drafted by the Twins in the 3rd round of the 1979 draft
. Assigned directly to the AA Orlando Twins, Laudner would hold his own in his first season in the Twins' organization, hitting .241 in 45 games. The following year, he would split his time between Orlando and Single-A Visalia
and despite a .227 batting average he would hit 12 home runs for the season. Back at Orlando in 1981, he would put up a monster season, hitting 40 home runs while hitting .284 and earning an August call-up with Twins where he would hit 2 more homeruns in 14 games. Despite spending 20 games in 1982 at AAA Toledo, Laudner would be called up to the Twins for good.
However, Laudner was never able to reproduce his 1981 seasons in the majors. Although continuing to hit for power, clubbing double digit homeruns four times over his eight full seasons despite averaging only 255 at bats, Laudner's inability to hit for average (career average of only .225) kept him from taking over as the full-time catcher. Consequently he would share catching duties with a revolving list of part-time batterymates and potential replacements including: Butch Wynegar
, Sal Butera
, Ray Smith
, Dave Engle
, Jeff Reed
, Mark Salas
, Tom Nieto
, Brian Harper
, Dwight Lowery
, Lenny Webster
, Greg Olson, and Orlando Mercado
.
Despite his faults, Laudner would be a driving force behind the Twins' 1987 World Series
, hitting a homerun in the team's Game 2 victory. In 1988, Laudner would have a career year in almost all statistical categories including games played and at bats. He would also be named to the American League
All-Star
team in 1988, his only appearance. In 1989, Laudner would return to form and would finish his last season in the majors as a backup to Brian Harper, filling a utility role and getting at bats at first base, catcher and DH. After failing to make the team in 1990, Laudner would be assigned to the AAA Portland Beavers
, but after 9 games in which he would go hitless over 29 at bats, he would decide to hang up his spikes.
.
Laudner is currently the co-owner, co-director, and coach of the "Big League Baseball Camp" in Minnesota
. He also works as an analyst at Fox Sports North and Fox Sports Wisconsin including working an occasional Twins game.
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...
who played 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...
from 1981 to 1989.
Playing career
After playing baseball for Park Center High School in Brooklyn Park, MN, Laudner was drafted in 1976 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....
in the 33rd round, but did not sign. After four years at the University of Missouri
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
, Laudner was drafted by the Twins in the 3rd round of the 1979 draft
1979 Major League Baseball Draft
The 1979 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft was held on June 5-7, 1979, via conference call.-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1979 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :...
. Assigned directly to the AA Orlando Twins, Laudner would hold his own in his first season in the Twins' organization, hitting .241 in 45 games. The following year, he would split his time between Orlando and Single-A Visalia
Visalia Oaks
The Visalia Rawhide are a minor league baseball team in Visalia, California, U.S. They are a Class A - Advanced team of the Arizona Diamondbacks operating in the California League and have recently agreed to renew their affiliation through 2012....
and despite a .227 batting average he would hit 12 home runs for the season. Back at Orlando in 1981, he would put up a monster season, hitting 40 home runs while hitting .284 and earning an August call-up with Twins where he would hit 2 more homeruns in 14 games. Despite spending 20 games in 1982 at AAA Toledo, Laudner would be called up to the Twins for good.
However, Laudner was never able to reproduce his 1981 seasons in the majors. Although continuing to hit for power, clubbing double digit homeruns four times over his eight full seasons despite averaging only 255 at bats, Laudner's inability to hit for average (career average of only .225) kept him from taking over as the full-time catcher. Consequently he would share catching duties with a revolving list of part-time batterymates and potential replacements including: Butch Wynegar
Butch Wynegar
Harold Delano "Butch" Wynegar, Jr. is a former professional baseball player and is the current hitting coach for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees Triple A affiliate of the New York Yankees...
, Sal Butera
Sal Butera
Salvatore Philip Butera was a Major League Baseball catcher and is currently a Special Assistant to Toronto Blue Jays General Manager Alex Anthopoulos....
, Ray Smith
Ray Smith (baseball)
-External links:...
, Dave Engle
Dave Engle
Ralph David Engle is a former Major League Baseball utility player who played for the Minnesota Twins, Detroit Tigers and Milwaukee Brewers all of the American League and the Montreal Expos of the National League from 1981 to 1989.-Pro career:A graduate of the University of Southern California,...
, Jeff Reed
Jeff Reed
Jeff Reed may refer to:* Jeff Reed , American baseball catcher* Jeff Reed , American football place kicker...
, Mark Salas
Mark Salas
Mark Bruce Salas is a former professional catcher who played in Major League Baseball from -. Salas, who is of Mexican descent, currently works for the Chicago White Sox as a bullpen catcher....
, Tom Nieto
Tom Nieto
Thomas Andrew Nieto is a former Major League Baseball catcher and former manager of the Rochester Red Wings, the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. Nieto previously served as the New York Mets' bench coach and catching instructor. A native of Downey, California, Nieto attended Oral Roberts...
, Brian Harper
Brian Harper
Brian David Harper is a former catcher in Major League Baseball who played for teams in both the American and National Leagues during his 16-year career and is currently the manager of the Chicago Cubs' AA club, the Tennessee Smokies.-Minor leagues:Harper was drafted by the California Angels in...
, Dwight Lowery
Dwight Lowery
-2008:Impressed with Lowery's versatility and ball skills, the New York Jets would draft him in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft as a cornerback/safety. An injury to cornerback Justin Miller would see Lowery debut in his first NFL game against the Miami Dolphins; Lowery performed modestly...
, Lenny Webster
Lenny Webster
Leonard Irell Webster is a former professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues primarily as a platoon catcher from 1989-2000...
, Greg Olson, and Orlando Mercado
Orlando Mercado
Orlando Mercado Rodríguez is a Puerto Rican former professional baseball player. He played all or part of eight seasons in Major League Baseball with the Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Dodgers, Oakland Athletics, Minnesota Twins, New York Mets, and Montreal Expos...
.
Despite his faults, Laudner would be a driving force behind the Twins' 1987 World Series
1987 World Series
The 1987 World Series pitted the Minnesota Twins versus the St. Louis Cardinals.Minnesota was victorious in a World Series that was the first in which the home team won every game...
, hitting a homerun in the team's Game 2 victory. In 1988, Laudner would have a career year in almost all statistical categories including games played and at bats. He would also be named to the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
All-Star
All-star
All-star is a term designating an individual as having a high level of performance in their field. Originating in sports, it has since drifted into vernacular and been borrowed heavily by the entertainment industry...
team in 1988, his only appearance. In 1989, Laudner would return to form and would finish his last season in the majors as a backup to Brian Harper, filling a utility role and getting at bats at first base, catcher and DH. After failing to make the team in 1990, Laudner would be assigned to the AAA Portland Beavers
Portland Beavers
The Tucson Padres are a minor league baseball team, representing Tucson, Arizona, in the Pacific Coast League . They are the Triple-A affiliate for the San Diego Padres. The team was formerly known as the Portland Beavers and played its last home game at PGE Park on September 6, 2010...
, but after 9 games in which he would go hitless over 29 at bats, he would decide to hang up his spikes.
Retirement
Following his playing career, Laudner worked as a project manager for Kleve Heating and Air Conditiong in Eden Prairie, MN and as a division manager at Plymouth Plumbing and Heating in Plymouth, MN. He was also an on-air baseball analyst for Twins' games on Fox Sports NetFox Sports Net
The Fox Sports Regional Networks, or simply Fox Sports Net , are a collection of cable TV regional sports networks in the United States owned and operated by News Corporation.- Beginnings :...
.
Laudner is currently the co-owner, co-director, and coach of the "Big League Baseball Camp" in Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
. He also works as an analyst at Fox Sports North and Fox Sports Wisconsin including working an occasional Twins game.