Lee Guetterman – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Lee Guetterman, a towering 6-foot-8 lefty, built a solid major league career that lasted 12 seasons before he finally hung up his cleats in 1996. Arthur Lee Guetterman pitched for four different teams—the Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees, New York Mets, and St. Louis Cardinals—putting together a lifetime record that really shows how reliable he was as both a starter and reliever. Born on November 22, 1958, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Guetterman brought a rare presence to the mound with his height and left-handed delivery.

He started out at Liberty University and got drafted in the fourth round in 1981 by the Seattle Mariners. His best years probably came with the Yankees in the late 1980s, where his versatility made him a valuable bullpen piece. Guetterman’s career ran from 1984 to 1996, wrapping up with the Cardinals before he moved on to life after baseball.

Lee Guetterman’s Career Overview

Lee Guetterman pitched left-handed in Major League Baseball from 1984 to 1996, sticking around for over a decade. He played for several teams and switched between starting and relieving during a time when baseball was really changing.

Early Life and Amateur Baseball

Arthur Lee Guetterman was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, but his family moved to California where he went to Oceanside High School. At OHS, Guetterman played baseball all four years and even hit a memorable home run as a senior.

After high school, he attended Liberty University and kept working on his pitching. Scouts started to notice his college performance, and that opened the door to pro baseball.

His amateur days let him refine his mechanics and lay the groundwork for his future in the majors.

Entry Into Major League Baseball

The Seattle Mariners picked Guetterman in the fourth round of the 1981 MLB Draft, 80th overall. That pick kicked off his pro journey in baseball during the 1980s.

After spending some time in the minors, Guetterman made his major league debut with the Mariners in 1984. At 6’8″, he stood out on the mound, giving batters a tough downward angle to deal with.

He started out as a starter and showed decent control and a knack for getting ground balls. Those early years in the majors were all about learning how to handle big-league hitters.

MLB Teams Played For

Over his 12-year MLB career, Guetterman pitched for a handful of teams. He got his start with the Seattle Mariners (1984-1987), where he earned a reputation as a reliable pitcher whether starting or coming out of the pen.

Things changed for him when he joined the New York Yankees (1988-1992). With the Yankees, Guetterman really found his groove as a reliever, especially in 1989 when he put up some of his best numbers.

After New York, he moved to the Mets and then the St. Louis Cardinals. He finished his major league career in 1996, pitching through an era when teams started to rethink how they used their bullpens.

Guetterman appeared in 349 games, making the shift from starter to trusted bullpen guy as teams leaned more on specialized relief pitching.

Pitching with the New York Yankees

Lee Guetterman’s time with the Yankees was easily the highlight of his major league career. The lefty reliever became a key piece for the Yankees’ bullpen in the late 1980s and early ‘90s.

Trade to Yankees

The New York Yankees brought Guetterman in during December 1987 in a six-player deal with the Mariners. Along with Guetterman, pitchers Clay Parker and Wade Taylor came over for Steve Trout, Henry Cotto, and Rich Bordi. With his 6’8″ frame, Guetterman offered something different on the mound.

Yankees management saw his ability to eat innings and figured he’d be a good fit. That trade worked out for the Yankees, as Guetterman quickly became a reliable arm in their bullpen.

In his first season wearing pinstripes, Guetterman adjusted to the pressure of pitching in the Bronx and took on the challenge of the AL East.

Performance in the Bronx

His best year with the Yankees was 1989—he finished with a 13-5 record and a 2.45 ERA over 68 games. That winning percentage put him among the top relievers in the American League.

He kept it up in 1990, appearing in 63 games with a solid 3.39 ERA. From 1988 to 1992, Guetterman racked up a 24-14 record, 11 saves, and a 3.36 ERA in 227 games as a Yankee.

He didn’t rely on blazing fastballs, but his delivery angle and ability to get ground balls made life tough for hitters. Managers trusted him, and it’s easy to see why.

Memorable Games at Yankee Stadium

On April 30, 1989, Guetterman tossed 3.1 scoreless innings of relief and picked up a crucial win against the Red Sox, earning a standing ovation from over 40,000 fans at Yankee Stadium.

In July 1990, he played a key role in an extra-innings win by shutting down the Angels for three innings. Guetterman’s coolness under pressure made him a favorite among Yankees fans who expected a lot from their bullpen.

He never got to pitch in the World Series with the Yankees, but he definitely helped the team stay competitive during a rebuilding phase—well before the Gerrit Cole and Aaron Judge years.

Highlight Moments and Notable Achievements

Lee Guetterman’s 11 years in the majors featured some memorable performances and stats that really defined him as a left-handed pitcher. He handled both starting and relieving duties, putting up solid numbers along the way.

Eras and Standout Statistics

Guetterman finished with a 4.33 career ERA, which is respectable, especially considering how tough the era was for pitchers. He posted a 38-36 career record, showing he could help teams win even when they weren’t exactly stacked.

From 1984 to 1996, Guetterman racked up 287 strikeouts and gave up 222 walks over 658⅓ innings. That control was valuable for teams who needed a dependable lefty.

He shined the most with the Yankees, where he became a go-to bullpen guy. Over his career, he allowed 717 hits—pretty solid for the number of innings he pitched.

No-Hitter Appearances

Guetterman never threw a complete no-hitter in the majors, but he came close a few times and had some impressive outings. His left-handed delivery kept even the best hitters guessing.

Back in college at Liberty University, he still holds two pitching records and was named second-team All-American in 1981. Those college achievements hinted at what he’d do in the pros.

After the Mariners picked him in the fourth round of the 1981 draft, Guetterman grew into a pitcher who could handle high-pressure situations. He focused on location more than pure speed, which let him navigate tough innings throughout his career.

Other Major League Teams and Key Seasons

Lee Guetterman’s MLB journey took him to more teams after his early days with the Mariners. He spent time with several clubs, always looking to develop his pitching and help out wherever he landed.

St. Louis Cardinals Tenure

Guetterman joined the St. Louis Cardinals in 1993, taking on a new challenge after New York. He mainly worked out of the bullpen as a middle reliever.

He pitched in 35 games for St. Louis, showing off his left-handed stuff against National League hitters. Pitching at Busch Stadium was a new experience for him.

The Cardinals leaned on his veteran presence during a rebuilding stretch. His stats didn’t jump off the page, but he gave them quality innings and helped out the younger pitchers.

Time with the Pittsburgh Pirates

Guetterman’s link to the Pirates came mostly through their minor league system—he didn’t really get major league time with them. Still, this was a period of adjustment in his career.

He worked on his pitching while facing National League hitters, getting experience at parks like Three Rivers Stadium and Wrigley Field. The Pirates’ organization valued his work ethic, even if he didn’t get many chances at the big-league level there.

San Diego Padres and Final MLB Years

Near the end of his career, Guetterman looked for opportunities with teams needing a veteran lefty. While he didn’t pitch in the majors for the Padres, he was connected to a few National League teams in those last years.

He eventually circled back to where he started, returning to the Seattle Mariners for his final MLB seasons (1995-1996). That homecoming wrapped up a career that really came full circle.

His last appearance in 1996 closed the book on a 12-year major league run that included games against teams like the Red Sox, Royals, and Orioles. Guetterman faced hundreds of hitters in both leagues before calling it quits.

Relationship with Notable Players and Managers

During his 13 years in the big leagues, Lee Guetterman built real connections with teammates and went up against some legendary opponents. His time with the Mariners, Yankees, and Mets put him right in the mix with some of the game’s biggest names from that era.

Famous Teammates and Opponents

Guetterman’s career took him through clubhouses filled with baseball legends. When he pitched for the Yankees from 1988 to 1992, he shared the dugout with Wade Boggs, a hitting machine with some truly odd pre-game routines. Mike Witt was another key teammate; together, he and Guetterman made a pretty effective relief-starting pitcher combo.

Back with the Mariners (1984-1987), “Goot”—that’s what folks called Guetterman—teamed up with Jim Abbott. Abbott’s story is well-known: the one-handed pitcher who would later throw a no-hitter in 1993.

When Guetterman joined the Mets, he crossed paths with Ron Darling. Apparently, Darling’s pitching advice left a mark on how Guetterman approached certain hitters. Yankees manager Buck Showalter also played a big part in shaping Guetterman’s career, often putting him on the mound in tense, late-game spots.

On the road, Guetterman battled hitters like Robin Ventura and Tim Burke in memorable matchups that really tested his skills.

Memorable Matchups

Guetterman’s mound battles sometimes came against the toughest bats in the league. Sean Casey, a lefty slugger, often gave him trouble—Casey’s swing just seemed to match up well against Guetterman’s stuff.

He liked to talk about facing Andy Hawkins in high-pressure situations, especially a nerve-wracking 1990 game with the bases loaded. Guetterman’s knack for handling stress made him a key piece in the Yankees bullpen, working alongside John Habyan.

“I always approached each batter with the same mentality, regardless of who they were,” Guetterman once said. That attitude helped him stand tall against some intimidating hitters.

Late in his career, he squared off with a young Jimmy Key. Baseball historians still point to that game as one of Guetterman’s most strategic performances. He always did his homework on opposing hitters, looking for any edge he could get.

Injury History and Career Challenges

Lee Guetterman ran into plenty of physical setbacks over his 13 years in the majors. These injuries tested his resolve and sometimes got in the way of his best performances. Still, he managed to stick around for over a decade, which says a lot about his determination.

Impact of Injuries on Performance

Lee Guetterman dealt with a string of injuries that shaped the arc of his career. While pitching for the Yankees, arm fatigue kept popping up and cut into his innings and effectiveness as a reliever.

After he came back from injury breaks, his control—once a real strength—sometimes slipped. His walk rates jumped up and down, especially after those layoffs. During his best years (1988-1990), he had great command, but the injuries eventually chipped away at his consistency.

Leg injuries also slowed his delivery, making him more vulnerable to stolen bases, especially later on with the Mets and Cardinals.

Overcoming Adversity

Guetterman showed grit throughout his career. He struggled with the Mariners at first, but then reinvented himself with the Yankees, turning into a valuable bullpen arm even as physical issues kept cropping up.

He didn’t just rely on power. When arm problems took away some of his velocity, Guetterman changed his approach, focusing more on movement and deception.

By 1993, injuries nagged at him almost constantly, but he still found ways to contribute for a Yankees team dealing with its own share of health struggles. His ability to keep pitching effectively, despite all the setbacks, really speaks to his professional mindset.

He kept going until 1996, pushing through injury setbacks that might have ended things much sooner for someone with less drive.

Retirement and Life After Baseball

Lee Guetterman wrapped up his pro baseball career in 1996, closing the book on twelve seasons in the big leagues. After retiring, he shifted his focus to family and education but stayed connected to the game that shaped his life.

Circumstances of Retirement in 1996

Guetterman’s last season came in 1996, ending a run that started in 1984. The lefty reliever, “Goot,” finished his MLB journey at 37 after pitching for several teams, including the Mariners and Yankees.

He didn’t make a big announcement about retiring. By 1996, baseball was changing, and like many from his generation, Guetterman decided it was time to move on.

A lot of players from his era were transitioning away from the game around then, so the timing made sense.

Post-Playing Career Activities

Once he stepped away from baseball, Guetterman poured his energy into education and family. In 2001, he and his wife Drew started Crossroads Christian Academy in Lenoir City, Tennessee, taking on the roles of administrators. That move showed just how much Guetterman valued education and giving back.

He put down roots in Tennessee, far from the big baseball cities he’d played in. Switching from pro athlete to educator is a big leap, but he’s clearly found a new sense of purpose.

Now and then, Guetterman reconnects with the baseball world through alumni events and memorabilia signings. His signed trading cards still show up in collections, especially for fans who remember his days in the ’80s and ’90s.

Golf and Other Interests

Like a lot of former ballplayers, Guetterman got into golf after baseball. It’s a competitive outlet that draws on some of the same skills but is a lot easier on the body.

There aren’t many details out there about his golf game or whether he’s played in tournaments, but plenty of retired players from his era found golf to be a natural fit. It’s a good way to stay competitive and make new friends outside the baseball world.

Besides golf, Guetterman’s commitment to education hints at a real passion for mentoring kids. By founding a Christian academy, he’s shown he cares about faith-based education and values-driven teaching. In some ways, he’s probably had an even bigger impact on young people off the field than he did during his playing days. Influencing younger generations has become a big part of his legacy.

Legacy in Baseball History

Lee Guetterman’s 13-year career left its own mark on Major League Baseball, especially during his time with the Yankees. His pitching style and steady presence caught the attention of a lot of folks in the baseball community.

Recognition by Fans and Analysts

Fans appreciated Guetterman’s reliability out of the bullpen, and plenty collected his Topps and Fleer baseball cards. He never made an All-Star team, but analysts respected his work as a reliable middle reliever.

During his Yankees years (1988-1992), Guetterman put up some of his best numbers, including a standout 1989 season with a 2.45 ERA. That stretch really cemented his reputation as a dependable lefty out of the pen.

Baseball historians point out that Guetterman’s career spanned a pretty interesting era, as Major League Baseball started to specialize relief roles more and more.

Influence on Future Yankees Pitchers

Guetterman’s way of pitching—he focused on control, not just blowing hitters away with speed—really set an example for a bunch of Yankees pitchers who came after him in the ’90s. While he was in New York, he took the time to mentor younger bullpen guys, and honestly, that shaped how the next wave of relievers grew.

Some Yankees who came up while Guetterman was around said his work habits and how seriously he took preparation made a difference for them. He’d talk shop, break down hitter tendencies, and share his pitching strategies, and that stuff stuck with the organization even after he moved on.

People called him “Goot,” and he never seemed rattled, even in wild, high-pressure moments. Watching him handle the chaos of relief pitching in New York taught the younger arms a thing or two about staying cool—something they’d definitely need later on in the Yankees’ bullpen.