Jeff Schneider
Jeff Schneider is a former American baseball pitcher who played for the Baltimore Orioles in 1981. A left-handed thrower and switch hitter, he stood 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighed 195 pounds. He appeared in 11 games as a relief pitcher, recording one save, 17 strikeouts, 27 hits and 12 walks in 24 innings, with an ERA of 4.88. He’s also known for appearing on Cal Ripken Jr.’s 1982 Topps rookie card.
Schneider was born December 6, 1952, in Bremerton, Washington. He went to Alleman Catholic High School in Rock Island, Illinois, and then to Iowa State University. He was drafted by the Cubs in 1970 and by the Rangers in 1973 but did not sign with either. He eventually signed with the Philadelphia Phillies as a free agent in 1974 and began his professional career in their minor league system.
In the Phillies’ farm system, Schneider had a standout 1977 season with Pensacola in the Carolina League, posting 15 wins and 22 saves with 102 strikeouts. He also pitched well in 1978 for Reading. After the 1978 season, the Orioles selected him in the Rule 5 draft and brought him to the majors in 1981.
During the 1981 season, the Orioles used him mostly as a reliever. He debuted on August 12, 1981, and, in his first game, gave up a grand slam to Frank White, but he finished his time with the Orioles with a solid stretch, including a career-high 4⅓ innings on August 19 and a save on August 25. After the season, he was traded to the California Angels for Dan Ford. Schneider spent 1982 in the Angels and Blue Jays organizations and finished his career in 1983 in the Blue Jays’ minor leagues. He later said life after baseball brought him back to school, family, and work.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 06:03 (CET).