TTM Stats
- Sent: 6/21/2022 | Received: 7/25/2022 | 34 Days
- ’86 Donruss, ’86 Topps, ’88 Score, ’89 Fleer, ’90 Score
- Address: Texas Ranger Team Address (MLB Team Address Resource)
The Story of the Autograph
Steve Buechele, affectionately known as “Boo,” carved out a respected career in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a dependable third baseman and later transitioned into coaching and executive roles, leaving a lasting impact on the Texas Rangers organization.
Born on September 26, 1961, in Lancaster, California, Buechele showcased his baseball talents early on. After graduating from Servite High School in Anaheim in 1979, he was drafted by the Chicago White Sox but chose to attend Stanford University instead. At Stanford, he not only honed his skills on the diamond but also roomed with future NFL Hall of Famer John Elway. In 1982, the Texas Rangers selected him in the fifth round of the MLB Draft, setting the stage for his professional career.
Buechele made his MLB debut with the Texas Rangers on July 19, 1985. Over an 11-season career, he played for the Rangers, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Chicago Cubs. His career statistics include a .245 batting average, 137 home runs, and 547 RBIs over 1,334 games.
Defensively, Buechele was known for his reliability at third base, achieving a .971 fielding percentage. In 1991, he set a then-MLB record with a .991 fielding percentage at third base, committing only three errors that season.
In August 1991, Buechele was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates, contributing to their playoff run and appearing in the National League Championship Series. He later signed with the Chicago Cubs in 1993 before returning to the Rangers in 1995, where he concluded his playing career.
After retiring as a player, Buechele remained active in baseball. He managed several teams within the Rangers’ minor league system, including the Frisco RoughRiders and Round Rock Express. In 2015, he was promoted to the Rangers’ major league coaching staff as the first base coach, a position he held until 2018. Subsequently, he transitioned into a front-office role as a special assistant in the Rangers’ baseball operations department.
Buechele and his wife, Nancy, have five children and reside in Arlington, Texas. Their family has a strong athletic lineage:
- Garrett Buechele played baseball at the University of Oklahoma and was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in 2011.
- Shane Buechele played quarterback for the University of Texas and SMU, later signing with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2021.
Beyond the field, Buechele has been actively involved in community initiatives, notably supporting the Boys and Girls Clubs of Arlington.
Steve Buechele’s journey from a collegiate athlete to a seasoned MLB player, coach, and executive exemplifies dedication and adaptability. His enduring association with the Texas Rangers underscores his significant contributions to the franchise and the broader baseball community.
The Score on Steve Buechele – 6.5
Steve has a good signature, but I would say it’s pretty standard. It looks just like something that he would put on a form. That doesn’t necessarily make it bad, just nothing really exciting in it compared to some other signers. These look great in blue though with those Texas uniforms and my favorite card is the 1989 Fleer card.
Thanks Mr. Buechele! I’m giving this return a 6.5.
This is my second successful return from him. To see the first return, check out my post from April 2023.
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Information gathered using Wikipedia and Baseball Reference.