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

Steve Kiefer wrapped up his professional baseball career in 1989 after six seasons in Major League Baseball. He started out with plenty of promise, but in the end, his struggles at the plate defined his journey.

The third baseman from Chicago suited up for three teams during his big league days: the Oakland Athletics, Milwaukee Brewers, and New York Yankees.

Kiefer hung up his cleats after the 1989 season, leaving behind a .192 batting average, 7 home runs, and 30 RBIs in 105 games. He showed off some real power in the minors, blasting 141 home runs, but making consistent contact always seemed to trip him up in the majors.

His best season happened in 1987 with the Milwaukee Brewers, when he managed most of his career-high stats.

Steve Kiefer’s story gives a glimpse into the tough road many players face—guys who crush it in the minors but just can’t quite figure it out in the majors. He went from being a first-round draft pick to playing his last game on August 22, 1989, and his career really shows both the hope and the hard times that come with pro baseball.

Early Life and Background

Steven George Kiefer was born on October 18, 1960, in Chicago, Illinois. His family later moved to California, where he really started to develop his baseball skills.

He went through California’s community college system, sharpening his game at Fullerton College.

Birth and Family

Steven George Kiefer came into the world on October 18, 1960, in Chicago. After a while, his family made the move to California, and he spent his growing-up years in Garden Grove.

Baseball ran in the Kiefer family. Steve’s brother, Mark Kiefer, also went after a career in baseball.

Later, Steve became the father of Cory Kiefer, keeping the family’s baseball story going.

Growing up in Garden Grove, Steve attended Garden Grove High School. Southern California let him play baseball all year, and that played a huge part in his development.

Moving from Chicago to California put Steve in one of the country’s best baseball spots. The competitive high school baseball scene in Southern California helped launch him toward the pros.

Education and Fullerton College

After graduating from Garden Grove High School, Steve went on to Fullerton College to keep playing ball and further his education. He also spent some time at Cerritos College during his community college journey.

Fullerton College gave Steve a big stage to show off his skills to pro scouts. California’s community colleges had a reputation for turning out solid baseball talent.

While at these schools, Steve worked on the power that would become his trademark. Scouts started to notice.

Taking the community college route let Steve grow both on and off the field. He got some extra time to polish his game before jumping into professional baseball.

Early Baseball Influences

Steve Kiefer’s baseball foundation grew in California’s tough youth baseball scene. The state’s year-round season gave him way more reps than kids in colder places.

At Garden Grove High School, he learned from good coaches and faced tough competition. Southern California high school baseball churned out pros, so Steve always had a chance to see how he measured up.

Family support and California’s baseball culture really shaped how Steve approached the game. With his brother Mark also playing, baseball was a big deal at home.

By college, Steve had already flashed the power hitting that would define his style. His coaches saw his potential to hit for power, even though he still needed work on making more contact.

Professional Baseball Career

Steve Kiefer played in the majors from 1984 to 1989, logging time with three American League teams. He showed defensive flexibility, playing all over the infield, but his .192 career batting average tells the story of his struggles at the plate.

MLB Debut and Early Years

Steven George Kiefer made his MLB debut on September 3, 1984, with the Oakland Athletics. He was a 23-year-old third baseman from Chicago.

His rookie season was short but hinted at his defensive flexibility. Kiefer played in 23 games, mostly at shortstop (17 games), with a couple at third base (2 games) and a handful as designated hitter (3 games).

He had a tough time at the plate in his first MLB run, batting just .175 with 7 hits in 40 at-bats. He did manage to notch one double and two triples.

Kiefer’s glove work looked promising but had its rough spots. He made 5 errors in 17 games at shortstop, ending up with a .904 fielding percentage—well below the league average of .962.

Oakland Athletics Tenure

Kiefer spent his first two big league seasons with the Oakland Athletics, carving out a role as a utility infielder. In 1985, he got more playing time, appearing in 40 games, up from 23 his rookie year.

That 1985 season saw him shift mostly to third base. He started 19 games there and appeared 34 times at the hot corner, showing that the A’s trusted his glove.

At the plate, though, things stayed rough. Kiefer hit .197 in 1985, with 13 hits in 66 at-bats, just one home run, and 10 RBIs. Over two years with Oakland, he collected 20 hits, 1 homer, and 12 RBIs.

Defensively, his ability to play all over became his main asset. Besides third and short, he saw time as a designated hitter, giving the A’s some roster flexibility.

After the 1985 season, the A’s released Kiefer, ending his run with the team after 63 games in two years.

Milwaukee Brewers Years

The Milwaukee Brewers picked up Kiefer for 1986, and he spent his most productive seasons with them from 1986 to 1988. His playing time jumped around quite a bit, though.

1987 was easily Kiefer’s best season. He played in 28 games and set career highs with 5 home runs, 17 RBIs, and 20 hits. His .202 batting average was his best in the majors.

While in Milwaukee, Kiefer kept showing off his defensive range. He played third base (30 games), second base (8 games), and even shortstop (2 games) over his three years, making himself useful as a utility guy.

His 1987 numbers included a .394 slugging percentage, way better than his career average of .341. That year, with more regular at-bats, he finally looked like he could put it together, though consistency was still a problem.

The Brewers didn’t use him much in 1986 and 1988—just 2 games and 7 games, respectively. In 1988, he actually hit .300, but it was only over 10 at-bats.

1989 Season and Retirement

Steve Kiefer’s last big league season came with the New York Yankees in 1989. That wrapped up a six-year run in the majors.

After dealing with injuries and personal setbacks, Kiefer played his final five MLB games in August 1989 before leaving pro baseball.

New York Yankees Final Season

In 1989, Kiefer joined the Yankees organization, spending most of his time with their AAA club in Columbus. Injuries from spring training slowed him down.

He didn’t get many chances in the majors that year. He played just five games with the Yankees in August, hitting .125 in 28 plate appearances.

During that short stint, he managed eight hits, including one double, but just couldn’t catch a groove at the plate.

“I was looking to be called up to the Yankees,” Kiefer told The Los Angeles Times in July 1989. “It seemed like everything hit when I got to the major leagues to stay.”

He played his last MLB game on August 22, 1989. His limited playing time reflected both his injury issues and the Yankees’ needs at the time.

Decision to Retire

Kiefer decided to step away after a string of setbacks that started in 1988. During spring training that year, someone attacked him with a beer bottle at a bar, and that kicked off a tough stretch.

Personal tragedy hit too. His wife had a miscarriage in the summer of 1988, which added even more emotional weight.

Injuries kept piling up in 1989. After the spring training troubles, he hurt himself again on a triple in June while playing in the minors.

After his five games with the Yankees, Kiefer played one more season in the minors. He split 1990 between the Pirates and Mets AAA teams.

When all was said and done, he finished his big league career with a .192 batting average, seven home runs, and 30 RBIs in 105 games. He played for the Oakland Athletics, Milwaukee Brewers, and New York Yankees.

Career Statistics and Achievements

Over six MLB seasons, Steve Kiefer put up a .192 batting average, 7 home runs, and 30 RBIs in 105 games. He mainly played third base but filled in at second and shortstop too.

Batting Performance

Kiefer’s offensive numbers show the challenge utility players faced in the 1980s. He posted a .192 career average in 253 plate appearances from 1984 to 1989.

He hit 7 home runs during his big league run. Most of his power showed up during his time with the Milwaukee Brewers.

He drove in 30 RBIs over six seasons, scored 34 runs, and collected 44 hits in the majors.

The right-handed hitter finished with a slash line of .192/.234/.351. His best numbers came in 1987 with Milwaukee, when he set several career-highs.

Fielding Positions

Kiefer spent most of his time at third base (3B). His ability to play all over the infield gave him extra value.

He also filled in at second base (2B) and shortstop (SS) when teams needed defensive flexibility. That utility role kept him around.

His defensive skills helped him stick in the majors, even when his bat didn’t. Managers liked having him as an option for late-game switches.

Teams also used him as a designated hitter (DH), pinch hitter (PH), and pinch runner (PR) when the situation called for it.

Significant Career Highlights

Kiefer made his MLB debut on September 3, 1984, with the Oakland Athletics at age 23. That first appearance marked the beginning of his six-year run in the majors.

His most productive stretch came in 1987 with Milwaukee, when he put up his best stats.

He played for three organizations: Oakland Athletics (1984-1985), Milwaukee Brewers (1986-1988), and New York Yankees (1989). Each team gave him a different shot to contribute.

His last MLB game was on August 22, 1989, with the Yankees. That wrapped up his career after 105 games in the big leagues.

Playing Style and Legacy

Steve Kiefer’s career was all about defensive flexibility and a powerful swing that, honestly, worked out better in the minors than in the majors.

His ability to cover multiple infield spots made him a valuable utility player for three American League teams.

Defensive Versatility

Kiefer showed real adaptability all over the infield during his pro career. He kicked things off as a shortstop in the minors with the Oakland Athletics.

His defensive skills made it easy for him to bounce between shortstop and third base, depending on what the team needed at the time.

By 1987, the third baseman spot turned into his main gig with the Milwaukee Brewers, especially during his best stretch in the majors. At 6’1″ with a strong arm, he fit right in at the hot corner.

He made a few errors early in his minor league run, but over time, Kiefer really locked in and became more reliable with the glove.

Teams loved having him as a versatile bench piece. The Oakland Athletics, Milwaukee Brewers, and New York Yankees all took advantage of his ability to handle different infield spots.

That kind of flexibility kept him around longer than you might expect, especially considering he struggled at the plate.

Impact on Teams

Kiefer made his biggest mark with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1987. He hit .202 with 5 home runs and 17 RBIs in 99 at-bats.

One of his highlights? Smacking a grand slam off Scott McGregor of the Baltimore Orioles, which showed he had some pop in his bat.

The Oakland Athletics gave him his first shot in the majors as a September call-up back in 1984. He played shortstop regularly that month, though he only managed a .175 average as he tried to adjust to big-league pitching.

Teams appreciated his work ethic and the way he carried himself. Oddly enough, he often performed better in spring training than during the regular season, which hints he had the physical tools but maybe didn’t always put it all together under pressure.

Assessment by Peers

Looking at Kiefer’s minor league statistics, you can see why scouts once saw him as a power threat. He racked up 141 home runs in the minors, so the raw power was real.

His .259 batting average in the minors stood out compared to his .192 mark in the big leagues.

Baseball folks saw his struggles making contact at the top level. He had trouble with plate discipline and couldn’t quite adjust to major league velocity, which kept him from repeating his minor league success.

Even so, he kept a good reputation in the clubhouse. Teams kept giving him chances over six years in the majors, which says a lot about how much they respected his glove and attitude.

Life After Baseball

When Steven George Kiefer wrapped up his playing career in 1989, he took a sharp turn but stayed connected to sports in a way. He carved out a solid career in the medical field, using what he knew about sports-related injuries.

Transition from Professional Sports

After baseball, Steve Kiefer made a big switch. He became an orthotist, someone who creates and fits orthopedic braces and devices.

Honestly, it makes sense—Kiefer knew firsthand what injuries could do, since he dealt with tendon damage and ankle issues that cut into his playing time.

He went from competing on the diamond to helping people recover from injuries and get moving again.

As an orthotist, he designed custom braces and orthopedic devices. These tools help folks move better and deal with pain from all sorts of conditions.

Personal Life and Interests

Not much is out there about Kiefer’s personal life after baseball. While he played, he got married and faced some tough personal challenges along with his struggles on the field.

The late 1980s really hit Kiefer and his family hard. In 1988, his wife had a miscarriage, and that happened right when injuries and other setbacks were already messing up his baseball career.

Kiefer kept baseball in the family through his brother, Mark Kiefer. Steve often gave Mark advice and tips, and Mark ended up playing four seasons in the majors.

The Kiefer brothers stayed close, and Steve’s support helped Mark deal with the ups and downs of pro baseball. Even after Steve stopped playing, he found ways to stay involved in the sport he loved.