Steve Comer – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Steve Comer’s baseball career really showed how determination can sometimes outshine raw talent. This right-handed pitcher from Minneapolis spent seven seasons in Major League Baseball, pitching for the Texas Rangers, Philadelphia Phillies, and Cleveland Indians between 1978 and 1984.

Comer didn’t have a blazing fastball, but he stuck around thanks to his sharp control and a changeup that fooled plenty of hitters.

Comer walked away from pro baseball after the 1984 season, wrapping things up with a 44-37 record and 245 strikeouts over 176 games. He started out as an undrafted college kid and ended up pitching in the majors, proving that persistence and smart pitching can really pay off.

What made Comer’s story stand out? He managed to succeed without the kind of velocity most people expect from top pitchers.

From his breakout rookie year in 1978 to his last outing in 1984, Comer’s career had its highs and lows. He put together a 17-win season, battled shoulder problems, and even made a comeback that earned him Texas Rangers Pitcher of the Year.

As a Minnesota native, his story gives a glimpse into what pro baseball was like in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Steven Michael Comer grew up in the Minneapolis suburbs, and his path to pro baseball started in a family where everyone competed at pretty much everything.

He shined at the University of Minnesota, where he set pitching records that stuck around for a long time.

Background in Minneapolis, Minnesota

Steven Michael Comer was born January 13, 1954, in the Cottagewood neighborhood of Minnetonka, Minnesota.

His parents, Ken and Joyce Comer, encouraged their three sons to play sports and compete.

Joe, John, and Steve were born within three years of each other. All three boys played sports as kids and did pretty well.

At Minnetonka High School, Comer played soccer, baseball, and basketball. As a sophomore, he was only 5’6″ and barely 100 pounds, but he actually stood out most in basketball at first.

Then he shot up seven inches during his junior year, changing everything for him athletically. He joined the varsity basketball and baseball teams, and played shortstop on the baseball diamond.

His older brothers, Joe and John, had already made names for themselves in baseball. Joe played shortstop and got drafted by the Kansas City Royals. John was a catcher and later set hitting records at Southwest Minnesota State University.

Collegiate Baseball at University of Minnesota

Comer’s college baseball story really started the summer before college, when he played American Legion ball for his dad.

At a tryout for legendary coach Dick Siebert’s summer league, Comer made a gutsy call. He realized there weren’t many shortstop spots, so he hopped on the mound instead.

He threw a bunch of strikes and caught assistant coach George Thomas’s eye with his arm and control.

Coach Siebert recruited Comer to the University of Minnesota, convincing him to focus on baseball instead of splitting his time with basketball at a smaller school. Siebert also taught him the changeup—Comer’s signature pitch for years to come.

College Career Highlights:

• Career Record: 30-8 (most wins in Minnesota history)
• Complete Games: 25 (still a program record)
• Freshman Year: 6-1 record, 1.47 ERA

Comer pitched in the 1973 College World Series with future MLB star Dave Winfield. He got the win in a 6-2 victory over Georgia Southern, sending Minnesota to the semifinals.

During his junior year in 1975, Paul Molitor played behind him. Comer won seven games that year, but some rough outings against Michigan State pushed his ERA over 4.00, which didn’t help his draft chances.

Pathway to Professional Baseball

The 1976 MLB Draft came and went, and Comer’s name didn’t get called. His high ERA as a junior probably played a big part in that.

After college, he worked construction and played for the Chanhassen town team.

His shot at pro ball came out of nowhere. Pete Kramer, a coach at the College of St. Thomas and a “bird dog scout” for the Texas Rangers, called up Dick Siebert looking for pitching talent for the Rangers’ rookie league.

Siebert recommended Comer. When Kramer offered him a tryout, Comer’s dad didn’t hesitate. He handed him a plane ticket and told him, “You’re going.”

That seize-the-moment mindset stuck with Comer his whole career. His dad’s advice about not having any “woulda coulda shoulda” regrets played a huge role when Comer decided to go for pro baseball at age 22.

The Rangers needed young pitching, and his college coach’s recommendation opened the door. Comer packed up for Sarasota in 1976, ready to start his pro journey in the rookie league.

Major League Debut and Texas Rangers Years

Steve Comer debuted in the majors with the Texas Rangers in April 1978 and stayed with them for five seasons.

His time in Texas had some real highlights, including a 17-win season in 1979, but there were tough stretches too.

MLB Debut in 1978

Steve Comer took the mound for the first time in the big leagues on April 15, 1978, at age 24, pitching for the Texas Rangers.

He faced the Boston Red Sox, tossed 1.2 innings, gave up 2 hits, struck out 2, and didn’t allow an earned run.

He quickly became a valuable asset for the Rangers’ pitching staff.

In his rookie season, Comer put up a sharp 2.30 ERA over 30 appearances, including 11 starts.

He finished with an 11-5 record and a .688 winning percentage. His 1.227 WHIP showed off his control—just 8.2 hits per nine innings, and he struck out 65 in 117.1 innings.

Comer’s versatility stood out. He started 11 times, came out of the bullpen in 14 games, earned a save, and even threw three complete games with two shutouts.

Standout Season Performances

Comer’s 1979 season was the best of his career with the Texas Rangers. He won 17 games and lost 12, starting 36 times and posting a 3.68 ERA over 242.1 innings.

He proved himself as a reliable starter in the rotation. Six complete games and a shutout that year showed his durability.

In 1981, Comer switched to a relief role and adapted well. He pitched in 36 games, started just once, picked up six saves, and finished with a 2.56 ERA.

The 1980 season was rough. Comer struggled to a 7.99 ERA in only 12 games. His 2.088 WHIP told the story—he gave up 14 hits per nine innings in 41.2 innings.

By 1982, Comer’s last year with Texas, he went 1-6 with a 5.10 ERA in 37 games.

Pitching Style and Role on the Team

Steve Comer stood 6’3″, weighed 195 pounds, threw right-handed, and could bat from both sides.

He relied on control and consistency more than power.

During his years with the Texas Rangers, Comer filled several roles. He started games and came out of the bullpen, always adjusting to what the team needed.

As a starter, he could go deep into games—he finished 10 complete games with Texas, including three shutouts.

When the team needed him in relief, he kept his cool under pressure. Comer racked up 13 saves as a Ranger, with six of them in the strike-shortened 1981 season.

His numbers with Texas show solid performance: a 39-29 record, 3.80 ERA, and 1.416 WHIP over 151 games. He threw 575.2 innings, struck out 205, and walked 210.

Season-by-Season Performance Highlights

Steve Comer’s MLB career lasted seven seasons and had plenty of ups and downs. He hit a career-best 17-win season in 1979, but also battled shoulder injuries that set him back in 1980.

Notable Wins and Statistics

Comer’s rookie year in 1978 showed the Rangers he could handle just about any pitching job. He went 11-5 with a 2.30 ERA in 30 games, splitting time between starting and relieving. He threw two shutouts and finished three games.

The 1979 season was his high-water mark. Comer won a career-high 17 games, more than even Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins that year. He set personal bests in innings, complete games, and strikeouts.

After getting healthy, Comer did well in the bullpen in 1981. He went 8-2 with a 2.56 ERA. In 36 relief outings, he finished 22 games and notched 6 saves—tied with Charlie Hough for the team lead.

Key Matches and Achievements

Comer’s best pitching came in 1979. He started 36 games, second only to Jenkins, and finished six complete games, again right behind Jenkins.

Switching to relief in 1981, Comer became a big part of the bullpen. He finished 22 of his 36 games, which let the Rangers get the most out of him without overworking his arm.

His rookie season brought some memorable moments too, including two complete-game shutouts. Those nine-inning gems showed he could dominate a lineup. In 1978, he also finished 14 games out of the bullpen, proving his versatility early on.

Overcoming Injuries and Setbacks

A shoulder injury in 1980 really derailed Comer’s momentum. He started the year in the rotation but lost three of his first four decisions, and his ERA shot up near 10.00 before he got sidelined.

He didn’t bounce back that season. Comer ended 1980 with a 2-4 record and a 7.99 ERA. That’s a huge drop from his previous year.

By 1981, his shoulder had healed enough for him to contribute again. But 1982 brought more trouble. He pitched in 37 games but managed just a 1-6 record and a 5.10 ERA. The Rangers let him go after that.

Later MLB Career with Phillies and Indians

After five years with the Rangers, Comer moved on to two more teams. His time with Philadelphia and Cleveland wrapped up his seven-year MLB run.

Transition to Philadelphia Phillies

Comer joined the Philadelphia Phillies in 1983, looking for a fresh start after his Texas days.

His ERA during this stretch showed he still had trouble with consistency, a problem that had started late in his Rangers career.

The Phillies mostly used Comer out of the bullpen. That was a change from his earlier years, when he split time between starting and relieving.

He kept showing good control, even though he never relied on velocity. Comer leaned on his changeup and pitching smarts to get hitters out.

Final Season with Cleveland Indians

Comer finished up with the Cleveland Indians in 1984. That season closed the book on a major league career that began with so much promise in Texas.

By then, the shoulder problems that started back in 1979 still bothered him. His ERA and WHIP numbers told the story of a pitcher who’d been through a lot.

Comer’s last season was short. The Indians let him go after just a handful of appearances, and that was the end of his playing days.

Still, going from undrafted college pitcher to winning 44 big league games is pretty impressive. Comer finished with 245 strikeouts in 176 games for three teams.

The Indians offered him a coaching job in 1986. That move into coaching let Comer stay close to the sport that shaped his life.

Retirement and Post-Baseball Life

Steve Comer’s baseball career wrapped up in 1984 after seven seasons in the majors.

The right-hander moved on from playing and started building a new life beyond the ballpark.

Retirement in 1984

Comer wrapped up his final MLB season in 1984 with the Cleveland Indians. He played parts of seven seasons in the majors and finished with 44 wins and 37 losses over 176 games.

He grew up in Minnesota and had to overcome some serious challenges during his career. Shoulder problems started bothering him in 1979, making it tough to stay healthy and effective.

Even so, Comer managed a remarkable comeback in 1981 and picked up the Texas Rangers Pitcher of the Year award. Still, the grind of pro baseball eventually caught up to him.

Comer’s journey started when no team drafted him out of college in 1976. He tried out for the Texas Rangers’ rookie league team in Sarasota, and that’s where his path to the majors began.

He wasn’t a power pitcher, but he relied on finesse and kept surprising people all through his career.

Life After Major League Baseball

After hanging up his glove, Comer headed back to Minnesota. Before baseball, he’d worked in construction after graduating college, so he already knew what it meant to work outside of sports.

That experience probably made his transition a little smoother. Comer stayed connected to the Minnesota baseball scene and got involved with the University of Minnesota program.

He’d set records there as the winningest pitcher in school history, going 30-8. His 25 complete games still stood as a university record years after he left.

Comer’s life after baseball reflected the values his dad taught him. “Wait for your opportunity, but then when your opportunity comes, go for it,” he’d say.

Comer took that advice to heart, both on the field and in whatever came next.

Career Legacy and Recognition

Steve Comer put together a solid 44-37 record over seven MLB seasons with a 4.10 ERA. He became a reliable pitcher who squeezed every bit out of his talent with sharp command and good baseball sense.

People respected him for making it work without a blazing fastball. Teammates and managers noticed how he used his mental approach to outthink hitters.

Career Statistics and Metrics

Comer’s numbers show he regularly beat expectations, even when his arm gave him trouble. He went 44-37 for a .543 winning percentage in 176 games between 1978 and 1984.

His best year came in 1979. He posted a 17-12 record with a 3.68 ERA for Texas, becoming just the fourth Rangers pitcher to reach 17 wins in a season.

The 1981 strike-shortened year turned out to be huge for Comer. He finished 8-2 with six saves and a better ERA, probably thanks to the extra rest during the work stoppage.

Key Career Numbers:

• 44-37 record (176 games)
• 4.10 career ERA
• 25 complete games at University of Minnesota
• 30-8 college record

Reputation Among Peers and Fans

Comer didn’t rely on raw talent, but he earned respect for his smarts and grit. Manager Don Zimmer once said, “Comer couldn’t break a pane of glass with his fastball, but he knew how to pitch.”

Peter Gammons, the baseball columnist, joked that “a film crew can outrun his pitches to home plate.” Even so, Comer’s teammates and coaches appreciated how he stayed a step ahead of hitters.

He built his reputation on preparation and execution. Comer always gave credit to his ability to anticipate, not just his athleticism.

He became known for his devastating changeup, which he learned from legendary Gophers coach Dick Siebert. That pitch turned into his main weapon against big-league hitters.

Honors and Hall of Fame Inductions

Comer got his biggest recognition in 1981 when the Texas Rangers staff and players named him their Pitcher of the Year. They gave him this honor after he made a remarkable comeback from shoulder problems that almost ended his career.

His college days at Minnesota still stand out. Comer owns the school record for most career wins (30-8) and complete games (25).

He also sits sixth in innings pitched in the program’s history.

Comer hasn’t received any Hall of Fame inductions. His seven-year career looked respectable, but he just didn’t hit the statistical milestones people usually expect for that kind of honor.

His legacy feels strongest at the University of Minnesota. There, he pitched alongside future MLB stars Dave Winfield and Paul Molitor from 1973 to 1976.