Dan Schneider – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Daniel Louis Schneider built a solid career as a left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball during the 1960s. He threw for the Milwaukee Braves, Atlanta Braves, and Houston Astros. Born on August 29, 1942, in Evansville, Indiana, Schneider made his MLB debut at just 20 years old on May 12, 1963, with the Milwaukee Braves.

He played professionally for seven seasons from 1963 to 1969. Schneider retired from the Houston Astros after his last appearance on April 27, 1969.

Schneider’s journey from college standout to big league pitcher really feels like the classic American baseball story of that era. After he earned a spot on the 1962 College Baseball All-America Team while playing for the University of Arizona, the Milwaukee Braves organization signed him pretty quickly.

His career stats show a reliable relief pitcher. He pitched in 117 major league games, finishing with a 2-5 record, a 4.71 ERA, and 86 strikeouts over 166 innings.

Dan Schneider’s baseball story gives a glimpse into the challenges and changes pro athletes faced in the 1960s. He navigated team moves, adapted to different organizations, and eventually retired, all during a decade that really shook up the sport.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Daniel Louis Schneider was born on August 29, 1942, in Evansville, Indiana. That’s where he started developing the athletic skills that would eventually push him toward professional baseball.

His journey from the Midwest to Major League Baseball included standout moments at Rincon High School in Arizona. He also achieved some big things at the University of Arizona, where he earned national recognition as a college baseball All-American.

Childhood and Background

Dan Schneider was born on a late summer day in 1942 in Evansville, Indiana. He grew up during World War II in this Ohio River city.

His family moved to Arizona, and that’s where Schneider would spend his formative years. This move to the Southwest turned out to be a big deal for his baseball future.

Arizona’s warm climate meant he could play baseball year-round. That environment really helped spark his early interest in the game.

Growing up in Arizona during the 1950s, Schneider joined organized youth baseball programs. Those early experiences set the stage for his later success.

High School Athletics

Schneider went to Rincon High School in Tucson, Arizona, and started making a name for himself as a serious baseball prospect. The school’s baseball program gave him a chance to face tough regional competition.

As a left-handed pitcher, he developed his skills under the Arizona sun. His high school career showed off the talent that would later catch the eye of college scouts.

Rincon’s baseball program helped get Schneider ready for the next level. His performance there drew the attention of University of Arizona recruiters.

Making the jump from high school to college baseball meant Schneider had to refine his pitching. His time at Rincon set him up for that challenge.

University of Arizona Baseball Achievements

Schneider’s time at the University of Arizona marked the high point of his amateur baseball days. He played for the Arizona Wildcats baseball program in the early 1960s.

In 1962, Schneider earned his biggest amateur honor by making the College Baseball All-America Team. That put him among the top college players in the country.

His All-American nod came during his final college season. That recognition showed he was ready for pro baseball and got him noticed by Major League scouts.

The Milwaukee Braves signed Schneider in June 1962, right after his All-American season. His success at Arizona led directly to his shot at professional baseball.

The University of Arizona later honored Schneider by inducting him into their Hall of Fame in 2019.

Professional Baseball Career Overview

Daniel Louis Schneider’s pro baseball career lasted nine seasons from 1962 to 1970. His time in Major League Baseball ran from 1963 to 1969.

The Milwaukee Braves signed him in 1962. Schneider went on to play for both the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros in the majors.

Signing with the Milwaukee Braves

In June 1962, Dan Schneider signed with the Milwaukee Braves after his standout college career at the University of Arizona. Before turning pro, he’d already built a reputation as a talented lefty at Rincon High School in Tucson.

His college performance got him a spot on the 1962 College Baseball All-America Team. That kind of achievement drew the attention of big league scouts and led to his signing with the Braves.

Signing that contract was a huge moment for the young pitcher from Evansville, Indiana. At just 19, Schneider stepped into pro baseball with plenty of expectations based on his amateur track record.

Major League Debut

Dan Schneider made his MLB debut on May 12, 1963, with the Milwaukee Braves at age 20. He pitched one inning against the Philadelphia Phillies and didn’t allow any hits, walks, or runs.

Over his major league career, Schneider put together a 2-5 record with a 4.71 ERA. He struck out 86 batters and saved two games in 117 appearances, only starting eight times.

Schneider stuck with the Braves through 1966, even as the team relocated and became the Atlanta Braves. The club traded him to the Houston Astros, where he played in 1967 and 1969.

He threw his last MLB pitch on April 27, 1969, against the San Francisco Giants. That day, he faced two batters, allowed two hits and one earned run, and struck out one.

Minor League Experience

Schneider spent parts of nine seasons in pro baseball, from 1962 to 1970, not just in the majors. He logged plenty of time in the minor leagues with both the Milwaukee Braves and Houston Astros organizations.

The minor leagues gave him a place to develop as a professional. He used that time to work on his pitching and get more game experience.

His years in the minors helped bridge the gap between his college success and his major league opportunities. He got extra innings there when he wasn’t on a big league roster.

Major League Tenure and Teams

Dan Schneider pitched in the majors for six seasons from 1963 to 1969. He played for three National League teams, starting with the Milwaukee Braves, sticking with them as they became the Atlanta Braves, and finishing up with the Houston Astros.

Milwaukee Braves Era

Schneider debuted with the Milwaukee Braves on May 12, 1963, when he was just 20. He faced the Philadelphia Phillies and pitched a scoreless inning.

During his 1963 rookie season, Schneider appeared in 30 games, starting three. He went 1-0 with a 3.09 ERA over 43.2 innings. The lefty struck out 19 and walked 20, showing both promise and a few rough edges.

The 1964 season was tougher for Schneider. He made 13 appearances, five as a starter, and finished with a 1-2 record and a 5.45 ERA in 36.1 innings. He gave up 38 hits and six home runs that year.

Schneider didn’t pitch in the majors in 1965. That gap put a pause on his early momentum with the Braves.

Atlanta Braves Stint

When the team moved to Atlanta in 1966, Schneider returned to the majors. He pitched in 14 games, all in relief, and posted a 3.42 ERA over 26.1 innings.

His Atlanta stint was short but a bit of a bounce-back. He allowed 35 hits, walked only five, and struck out 11 in those appearances.

The move to Atlanta shifted Schneider from starter-reliever to mostly bullpen work. That 1966 season was his last with the Braves.

Houston Astros Years

Schneider joined the Houston Astros in 1967 and spent his last two seasons there. He worked exclusively out of the bullpen for the Astros.

In 1967, Schneider pitched in 54 games, all in relief. He put up a 4.96 ERA over 52.2 innings and notched two saves. The lefty struck out 39 but struggled with control, issuing 27 walks.

He missed the 1968 season, then came back for his final campaign in 1969. He only made six appearances, pitching 7.1 innings with a 13.50 ERA. His last big league outing was April 27, 1969, against the San Francisco Giants.

Season Highlights and Key Performances

Dan Schneider’s six-year Major League run had some highlights, like a promising rookie year in 1963 and his busiest season in 1967 with the Astros. His numbers definitely swung from year to year, with his ERA moving between 3.09 and 13.50 depending on the season.

1963 Rookie Impact

Schneider debuted on May 12, 1963, at age 20 with the Milwaukee Braves. That rookie season was one of his best.

He appeared in 30 games and put up a 3.09 ERA across 43.2 innings. He finished the year 1-0 with a WHIP of 1.282.

He got three starts among those 30 games. Schneider struck out 19 and walked 20, proving he had potential but still needed some polish.

His ERA+ of 105 meant he performed a bit above league average. That debut year made him a legit option in the Braves’ pitching rotation.

Career-High 1967 Season

The 1967 season with the Houston Astros was Schneider’s busiest in the majors. He pitched in 54 games, all out of the bullpen.

He logged 52.2 innings and picked up two saves. His 4.96 ERA was higher than he probably wanted, but the Astros leaned on him a lot that year.

Schneider struck out 39 batters, his second-best total in any season. His WHIP of 1.652 showed some control problems, with 27 walks.

That year showed Schneider’s durability as a reliever. Those 54 appearances were almost half of his career total.

Performance with Different Teams

Schneider’s stats shifted a lot between his time with the Braves and the Houston Astros. With Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves, he posted a 3.98 ERA over 106.1 innings in 57 games.

His numbers dipped with the Astros, where he put up a 6.00 ERA in 60 games. His WHIP jumped from 1.382 with the Braves to 1.800 with Houston.

The move to Houston marked a shift in his role, as he went from spot starter to full-time reliever.

His strikeout rate got better with the Astros (6.3 per nine innings, up from 3.7 with the Braves). But his walk rate also climbed.

Memorable Games

Schneider’s last appearance came on April 27, 1969, against the San Francisco Giants. He pitched a third of an inning, allowed two hits and one earned run, and struck out one.

His debut against Philadelphia on May 12, 1963, was a clean outing. He pitched one inning without giving up a hit, walk, or run.

The 1969 season was especially rough, with Schneider posting a 13.50 ERA in just six games. He gave up 16 hits in only 7.1 innings.

His best run came in 1966 with Atlanta, when he managed a 3.42 ERA across 14 relief appearances.

Retirement in 1969 and Later Life

Dan Schneider wrapped up his baseball career in 1969 after playing his last game with the Houston Astros on April 27. He spent nine seasons in professional baseball from 1962 to 1970, and his final Major League appearance marked the end of his six years in the big leagues.

Final MLB Season

Schneider wrapped up his Major League Baseball career in 1969 with the Houston Astros. He made his last appearance on April 27, 1969, facing the San Francisco Giants at just 26 years old.

In that game, Schneider pitched for only a third of an inning. He gave up 2 hits and 1 earned run, notched 1 strikeout, and issued 1 walk.

That short stint closed out his MLB career. Altogether, he put up a 2-5 win-loss record and a 4.71 ERA over 117 games in the majors.

He started eight games as a pitcher during his career. The lefty allowed 185 hits and 70 walks in 166⅓ innings, while striking out 86 batters.

Transition to Minor Leagues

After pitching his last MLB game in April 1969, Schneider kept playing baseball in the minors. His pro career stretched from 1962 through 1970, covering nine seasons.

Many players tried to keep their careers alive by heading back to the minors, and Schneider did the same. He spent his last professional season in 1970 in the minor leagues.

That extra year gave him a chance to stay in the game, maybe even holding onto hope for another shot at the majors.

Life After Baseball

When Schneider retired from pro baseball in 1970, he stayed connected to the sport and his community. He became the father of Brad Schneider, who played second base for the University of Evansville in the mid-to-late 1980s.

Schneider’s college accomplishments got some overdue recognition years later. The University of Arizona inducted him into their Sports Hall of Fame in 2019.

He earned that spot thanks to his time on the 1962 College Baseball All-America Team. The induction happened 50 years after his pro playing days ended.

Like a lot of players from his time, Schneider dealt with some tough MLB pension rules that didn’t always favor guys who retired before certain changes.

Legacy, Recognition, and Baseball Memorabilia

Dan Schneider’s six years in the majors still show up in baseball history and the world of memorabilia. His path—from the Milwaukee Braves, through their move to Atlanta, and then to Houston—gave collectors plenty of cards and stats to chase.

Baseball Almanac and Historical Records

You can still find Dan Schneider’s career stats in all the big baseball reference books and historical records. That 2-5 record over 117 games marks his time with three teams during a pretty wild period in baseball.

Baseball almanacs list his 4.71 ERA and 86 strikeouts in 166⅓ innings. Those numbers put him among the relief pitchers who helped shape the bullpen scene in the 1960s.

He played for the Milwaukee Braves in their last years and stuck with them through their move to Atlanta in 1966. Records show he pitched for both versions of the franchise before Houston picked him up in 1967.

The University of Arizona’s 2019 Hall of Fame induction honored his college achievements and tied his amateur success to his pro legacy.

Topps Baseball Cards

Topps rolled out a handful of Dan Schneider baseball cards while he was active, so there’s some cool memorabilia out there. His cards popped up in several Topps sets from 1965 to 1969, each one showing him with a different team.

The 1969 Topps #656 stands as his last card as a player for the Houston Astros. Collectors who love 1960s baseball memorabilia usually keep an eye out for this high-numbered card.

He also showed up on the 1965 Topps #366, 1967 Topps #543, and 1968 Topps #57. Each card matches up with a different chapter in his career.

Card values bounce around depending on condition and what collectors want. The 1968 O-Pee-Chee #57 Base card has even seen some price changes lately, according to sports card market trackers.

Impact on Teams and Teammates

Schneider pitched as a left-handed reliever, giving the Milwaukee Braves, Atlanta Braves, and Houston Astros some much-needed depth in their bullpens. He started eight games out of 117 appearances, which really shows how he could handle both starting and relieving when the team needed it.

When he played for the Braves, he actually saw the franchise move from Milwaukee to Atlanta. That must’ve been a wild time, and the team relied on players like Schneider to help everyone adjust and keep things steady.

In 1967, the Braves traded him to the Houston Astros. Suddenly, he was bringing his experience to a young team that was still figuring out who they were. The Astros leaned on his left-handed pitching to round out their bullpen during those early years.

He picked up two career saves, which says a lot about how he handled tense, late-inning moments. With 70 career walks and 86 strikeouts, he showed pretty solid command—especially considering he often came in when things were already tricky.