Todd Steverson
Encyclopedia
Todd Anthony Steverson is a former right-handed left
and right fielder
in Major League Baseball
who played for the Detroit Tigers
and San Diego Padres
. He is also a former Oakland Athletics
first base coach.
The cousin of Tigers outfielder Ron LeFlore
, Steverson attended Arizona State University
, where he was part of the famed "Million Dollar Outfield". He was 6' 2" tall and he weighed 195 pounds.
Originally selected by the St. Louis Cardinals
in the sixth round of the 1989 draft
, Steverson opted not to sign. He would have to wait until to be drafted again; he was drafted 25th overall by the Toronto Blue Jays
, and this time he did sign. His signing bonus was $450,000.
He spent three years in the Blue Jays' farm system, showing nothing more than mediocre statistics-he was speedy (he had a career high 23 stolen base
s in 1992 while with the St. Catharines Blue Jays
), but he also struck out
a lot (118 times in 413 at bat
s in with the Dunedin Blue Jays
) and was not an average hitter (.209 batting average
in 1992).
He was drafted by the Tigers in the 1994 Rule 5 Draft
, and although he had had a fairly unimpressive minor league career, he found himself with the big league club before the end of April 1995. He made his debut on April 28, 1995 at the age of 23 against the Seattle Mariners
. In his only at bat of the game, he hit a fly ball out to right field off of a pitch from Ron Villone
. He appeared in 30 games for the Tigers in 1995, collecting 11 hits
in 42 at bats for a .262 batting average. He spent nine games in the minors that year, but he hit only .107.
Steverson hit only two home run
s in 1995, but they came in back-to-back games. He victimized pitcher Eddie Guardado
of the Minnesota Twins
on June 10, then pitcher Dave Stevens
of the Twins the very next day. The top game of his season may have come on June 15 of that year, though. Playing the New York Yankees
, he collected three hits in four at bats, driving in
two runs and scoring once. Interestingly, those were the last hits of his career.
Although his rookie season was short but fairly impressive, the Tigers did not keep him for more than a season. Instead, right before the beginning season, he was traded by the Tigers with Cade Gaspar
and Sean Bergman
to the Padres for Raul Casanova
, Richie Lewis
and Melvin Nieves
. That would basically seal the fate for his big league career-it ended on April 3 of that year. Pinch hitting for pitcher Joey Hamilton
, he was called out on strikes in his final big league at bat. Turk Wendell
was credited with the strikeout.
He played in a total of 31 games in his career, collecting 11 hits in 43 at bats for a .256 batting average. He scored 11 times, hit two home runs and had six RBI. A perfect fielder, he committed no errors
in his career. Perhaps it was the number he wore that caused his career to end so quickly-he wore 13 in both his seasons in the big leagues, a traditionally unlucky number.
He stuck around in the minor leagues until 1998.
After his playing days ended, he became a minor league baseball coach and manager. He coached the Potomac Cannons in 1999, 2001 and 2002. He coached the Peoria Chiefs
in 2000, the Palm Beach Cardinals
in 2003 and the Vancouver Canadians
in 2004. He managed the Stockton Ports
in 2005 and 2006. He was set to manage the Midland RockHounds
in 2007. He is the manager of the Sacramento RiverCats in 2008. He was hired in December 2008 to be the Oakland Athletics
first base coach.
Left fielder
In baseball, a left fielder is an outfielder who plays defense in left field. Left field is the area of the outfield to the left of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound...
and right fielder
Right fielder
A right fielder, abbreviated RF, is the outfielder in baseball or softball who plays defense in right field. Right field is the area of the outfield to the right of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound...
in Major League Baseball
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...
who played for the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
and 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...
. He is also a former Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
first base coach.
The cousin of Tigers outfielder Ron LeFlore
Ron LeFlore
Ronald LeFlore is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played six seasons with the Detroit Tigers before being traded to the Montreal Expos, retiring as a Chicago White Sox in . He stole 455 bases in his career, and was an American League All-Star selection in 1976...
, Steverson attended Arizona State University
Arizona State University
Arizona State University is a public research university located in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area of the State of Arizona...
, where he was part of the famed "Million Dollar Outfield". He was 6' 2" tall and he weighed 195 pounds.
Originally selected by the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
in the sixth round of the 1989 draft
1989 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1989 Major League Baseball draft.-Supplemental first round selections:-External links:*...
, Steverson opted not to sign. He would have to wait until to be drafted again; he was drafted 25th overall by 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 ....
, and this time he did sign. His signing bonus was $450,000.
He spent three years in the Blue Jays' farm system, showing nothing more than mediocre statistics-he was speedy (he had a career high 23 stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
s in 1992 while with the St. Catharines Blue Jays
St. Catharines Blue Jays
The St. Catharines Blue Jays were a minor league baseball team that played at Community Park in St. Catharines, Ontario. They were the Short-Season A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays in the New York-Penn League. The team began play in 1986 as the Blue Jays, though were later renamed the St....
), but he also struck out
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
a lot (118 times in 413 at bat
At bat
In baseball, an at bat or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. It is a more restricted definition of a plate appearance...
s in with the Dunedin Blue Jays
Dunedin Blue Jays
The Dunedin Blue Jays are a minor league baseball team based in Dunedin, Florida. They play in the Florida State League, and are the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays Major League Baseball club...
) and was not an average hitter (.209 batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
in 1992).
He was drafted by the Tigers in the 1994 Rule 5 Draft
Rule 5 draft
The Rule 5 draft is a Major League Baseball player draft that occurs each year in December, at the annual Winter Meeting of general managers. The Rule 5 draft aims to prevent teams from stockpiling too many young players on their minor league affiliate teams when other teams would be willing to...
, and although he had had a fairly unimpressive minor league career, he found himself with the big league club before the end of April 1995. He made his debut on April 28, 1995 at the age of 23 against the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
. In his only at bat of the game, he hit a fly ball out to right field off of a pitch from Ron Villone
Ron Villone
Ronald Thomas Villone Jr. is a Major League Baseball left-handed relief pitcher who is currently with the Somerset Patriots. He has not been on the same team for more than two years in his major league career and due to his many baseball travels, some of his teammates have affectionately referred...
. He appeared in 30 games for the Tigers in 1995, collecting 11 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
in 42 at bats for a .262 batting average. He spent nine games in the minors that year, but he hit only .107.
Steverson hit only two 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 in 1995, but they came in back-to-back games. He victimized pitcher Eddie Guardado
Eddie Guardado
Edward Adrian Guardado is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. Throughout his career, Guardado had played with the Minnesota Twins , Seattle Mariners , Cincinnati Reds , and the Rangers .His common nickname is "Everyday Eddie", a testament to his durable arm during his first stint with the...
of 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...
on June 10, then pitcher Dave Stevens
Dave Stevens (baseball)
David James Stevens is an American former Major League Baseball player. A pitcher, Stevens played for the Minnesota Twins , Chicago Cubs , Cleveland Indians , and Atlanta Braves .-External links:...
of the Twins the very next day. The top game of his season may have come on June 15 of that year, though. Playing 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...
, he collected three hits in four at bats, driving in
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
two runs and scoring once. Interestingly, those were the last hits of his career.
Although his rookie season was short but fairly impressive, the Tigers did not keep him for more than a season. Instead, right before the beginning season, he was traded by the Tigers with Cade Gaspar
Cade Gaspar
Cade Gaspar is a retired American professional baseball pitcher and the son of former outfielder Rod Gaspar. A right-hander, he was 6'3" tall but weighed only 175 pounds...
and Sean Bergman
Sean Bergman
Sean Frederick Bergman is a former right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Detroit Tigers, San Diego Padres, Houston Astros, Atlanta Braves, and Minnesota Twins between and...
to the Padres for Raul Casanova
Raul Casanova
Raul Casanova was a Major League Baseball catcher from 1996 to 2008 with the exception of 1999 and 2006.-Minor leagues:He was drafted 220th overall, in the eighth round of the draft by the New York Mets....
, Richie Lewis
Richie Lewis
Richie Todd Lewis is a former right-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played from to for the Baltimore Orioles, Florida Marlins, Detroit Tigers, Oakland Athletics and Cincinnati Reds. He attended Southside High School in Muncie, where his father was the coach for many years...
and Melvin Nieves
Melvin Nieves
Melvin Nieves Ramos is a former professional baseball outfielder. He played all or part of seven seasons in Major League Baseball from 1992 until 1998, and two seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball in 1999-2000...
. That would basically seal the fate for his big league career-it ended on April 3 of that year. Pinch hitting for pitcher Joey Hamilton
Joey Hamilton
Johns Joseph "Joey" Hamilton is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played professionally for nine seasons, recording a 74–73 win–loss record, a 4.44 earned run average and 894 strikeouts. He attended Statesboro High School in Georgia...
, he was called out on strikes in his final big league at bat. Turk Wendell
Turk Wendell
Steven John "Turk" Wendell is a former Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher from to ....
was credited with the strikeout.
He played in a total of 31 games in his career, collecting 11 hits in 43 at bats for a .256 batting average. He scored 11 times, hit two home runs and had six RBI. A perfect fielder, he committed no errors
Error (baseball)
In baseball statistics, an error is the act, in the judgment of the official scorer, of a fielder misplaying a ball in a manner that allows a batter or baserunner to reach one or more additional bases, when such an advance would have been prevented given ordinary effort by the fielder.The term ...
in his career. Perhaps it was the number he wore that caused his career to end so quickly-he wore 13 in both his seasons in the big leagues, a traditionally unlucky number.
He stuck around in the minor leagues until 1998.
After his playing days ended, he became a minor league baseball coach and manager. He coached the Potomac Cannons in 1999, 2001 and 2002. He coached the Peoria Chiefs
Peoria Chiefs
The Peoria Chiefs are a Class A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Chicago Cubs, from Peoria, Illinois. They play in the Midwest League....
in 2000, the Palm Beach Cardinals
Palm Beach Cardinals
The Palm Beach Cardinals are a minor league baseball team based in Jupiter in Palm Beach County, Florida.The team, which plays in the Florida State League, is the High-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals major-league club....
in 2003 and the Vancouver Canadians
Vancouver Canadians
The Vancouver Canadians are a minor league baseball team located in Vancouver, British Columbia. The Canadians are the Northwest League affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. The C's have previously affiliated with the Oakland Athletics between 2000-2010. They are the only Canadian team in the...
in 2004. He managed the Stockton Ports
Stockton Ports
The Stockton Ports are a baseball team in Stockton, California. The Ports play in the Northern Division of the Class A – Advanced California League and are a Minor League affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. Their home field is Banner Island Ballpark which seats over 5,000 people and opened in...
in 2005 and 2006. He was set to manage the Midland RockHounds
Midland RockHounds
The Midland RockHounds are a minor league baseball team based in Midland, Texas, USA. The team, which plays in the Texas League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics major league club. The RockHounds play in Citibank Ballpark, located in Midland. Opened in 2002, the stadium seats...
in 2007. He is the manager of the Sacramento RiverCats in 2008. He was hired in December 2008 to be the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
first base coach.