Steve Decker
Inducted: April 25, 2015
Bio: Steve Decker holds the unique claim as the only Warrior alum to have established a successful career as both a player and coach in professional baseball. In all, he has spent more than two decades in pro ball and is considered by many to have a good chance of managing in the big leagues one day. He is currently in his third season as the San Francisco Giants' Coordinator of Minor League Instruction and Hitting.
A hardworking catcher, Decker was drafted in the 21st round of the 1988 draft by the Giants and rose quickly through the Minors to make his big league debut on Sept. 18, 1990. The native of River Grove, Ill., ended up playing seven seasons in the Majors over the course of nine years as a member of the Giants, Marlins, Rockies, and Angels. In 263 games and 688 big league at-bats, he hit .231 with 13 homers, 21 doubles, and 72 RBIs.
Decker's coaching career began as a hitting coach for the Giants in 2001-04 before being named the manager of the Short-Season A club in Salem-Keizer in 2005. He spent three seasons there, earning Northwest League Manager of the Year each season and winning titles in 2006 and 2007.
Decker was then promoted and led the Class A Advanced San Jose Giants to an 88-55 mark in 2008, the best record in the California League, before taking the Connecticut Defenders to the Class AA Eastern League finals in 2009. After this, Decker was named manager of the Fresno Grizzlies, the Giants' Triple-A affiliate at the time and now an affiliate of the Houston Astros, and led them to a 140-148 record over two years.
Decker, a 1987 transfer from Triton Junior College, played two seasons with the Warriors and won two national titles in the process, recording the final out with Major League pitcher Steve Reed both times. He hit .383 with nine homers as a junior, and then .397 with 13 home runs to earn NAIA All-American honors as a senior.
