The Long Beach Armada recently announced that 15-year major league catcher Steve Yeager has been signed as the new field manager of the Armada. In addition to his playing career, the 1981 World Series MVP has managed and coached in the independent minor leagues and in the Dodger farm system at levels up through Triple-A. Yeager led the Long Beach Breakers to the Western Baseball League championship in 2001.
“It’s great to return to Long Beach and Blair Field. The city and fans are first class and it’s a fine ballpark. I had a wonderful experience the last go around and I’m looking forward to building a team that we can all be proud of,” said Yeager. “I am excited to have the opportunity to continue to work with young players, help them develop and succeed in professional baseball, and to help them attract the attention of major league organizations.
Yeager, 59, was a fourth round draft choice by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1967 out of Meadowdale High School in Dayton, Ohio. He climbed quickly through the Dodgers farm system, earning All-Star honors in Double-A and establishing a reputation as one of the finest young defensive catchers in professional baseball. He broke into the majors late in 1972 with the Dodgers.
Called by Lou Brock the greatest throwing catcher of all-time, he belted 102 home runs in his career, had a lifetime batting average of .321 with the bases loaded, and had a career World Series batting average of .298 during his four October classics.
He continued to be part of the Dodger organization after his playing career ended as he coached future Dodgers in Single-A, Double-A, and Triple-A since the 1990s.
“As the Long Beach Armada organization continues to build a strong tradition of professional baseball and family sports entertainment, Steve Yeager is the ideal manager for our team,” said Steven Bash, General Manager of the Armada. “He’s an experienced minor league manager and coach, played at the highest levels of the game, and is well known and respected by players, fans, the media, and the business community in Long Beach and throughout the Los Angeles area.”
Yeager is credited for inventing the catcher’s throat protector now worn at all levels of baseball after he was hit in the throat by a broken bat during a Dodger game in 1976. Yeager is also a cousin of famed test-pilot Chuck Yeager.
For more information, contact the Armada corporate office at (562) 498-HITS or visit www.longbeacharmada.com.
