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Name: Matt Walbeck
Claim to Fame, Minnesota: when the Twins finally gave up the ghost on Willie Banks, they traded him to the Cubs for Walbeck and Dave Stevens. He was the starting catcher in 1994 and 1995 before being shipped to Detroit for Brent Stentz, who needs to start a “Brent’s Tents” outdoor supply company immediately.
Claim to Fame, Everywhere Else: Walbeck’s Wikipedia entry does an artful job of saying he could neither hit nor run:
“He was not much of a power hitter, nor did he consistently hit for a high average. His best minor league season was perhaps 1992 when he hit .301 with seven home runs and 42 RBI. He did try stealing bases seven times that year, but was caught every single time.”
Walbeck still managed to cobble together a decade-long career, playing for the Tigers, Angels, Phillies and Tigers again before retiring in 2003. Unfortunately, this also meant he had the time to compile the worst OPS of any catcher from 1990-2009 with at least 2,000 plate appearances. This is where your Drew Butera joke goes.
Where He Is Now: Walbeck, like many a back-up catcher before him, got into managing after his playing career ended, and found almost immediate success. Baseball America named him the “Best Tools” minor league manager in 2005 and 2006, before honoring him as their 2007 Minor League Manager of the Year. And really, with innovations like Hawaiian Shirt Sundays, Call Everybody By Their First Name Fridays, and Sport Coat Thursdays, it’s not hard to see why.
After a brief stint coaching third base for Texas, Walbeck is back in minors and managing the Altoona (PA) Curve, who recently made the news with their impromptu Drunk Guy Strolls Around the Outfield in the 9th Inning Tuesdays promotion.
Is He on Twitter? No.
Glorious Randomness #1: Sport Coat Thursdays is a good name for a cover band.
Glorious Randomness #2: Willie Banks has had a rough go of it lately, but is pitching for the Newark Bears. (Hat tip to DJL44 at Twinkie Town for digging that up.)
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