Rick Stelmaszek

Richard Francis Stelmaszek
(Stelly)

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 6' 1", Weight 195 lb.
• High School Mendel Catholic Preparatory High School
• Debut June 25, 1971
• Final Game September 25, 1974
• Born October 8, 1948 in Chicago, IL USA
• Died November 6, 2017 in Chicago, IL USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Catcher Rick Stelmaszek played eleven seasons of pro baseball, with cups of coffee in the majors in 1971, 1973, and 1974, playing with three different teams: the Washington Senators, who drafted him in the 11th round of the 1967 amateur draft and their successors the Texas Rangers, the Chicago Cubs and the California Angels. In all, he hit .170 in 60 games.

He began managing in the minors with the Wisconsin Rapids Twins in 1978, spending his first year there as a player/manager. He was named the Midwest League manager of the year in 1980. After three years at the helm of Wisconsin Rapids, he joined the Minnesota Twins coaching staff in 1981 and stayed through 2012. He was the team's bullpen coach under five different managers, but also took on other responsibilities, such as overseeing spring training drills and getting everyone organized. His 32 seasons as a coach with one team are the third longest such stint in major league history, and he had the longest tenure of any uniformed employee in Twins history.

He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2017 and the Twins honored him by having him throw the ceremonial first pitch on opening day that year. He passed away from the cancer after the season; he was 69.

His father Ray Stelmack, was a pitcher/outfielder in the New York Yankees chain.

Year-By-Year Managerial Record

Year	Team	League	Record	Finish	Organization	Playoffs
1978	Wisconsin Rapids Twins	Midwest League	62-76	5th	Minnesota Twins
1979	Wisconsin Rapids Twins	Midwest League	60-72	6th	Minnesota Twins
1980	Wisconsin Rapids Twins	Midwest League	77-64	3rd	Minnesota Twins	Lost in 1st round

Further Reading

• Phil Miller: "Former Twins coach Rick Stelmaszek dies at 69: His 32-year tenure in Minnesota was third longest in major league history", The Minneapolis Star Tribune, November 7, 2017. [1]