| Sal Butera | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Catcher | |
| Born: (1952-09-25)September 25, 1952 (age 73) Richmond Hill, Queens,New York, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| April 10, 1980, for the Minnesota Twins | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 26, 1988, for the Toronto Blue Jays | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .227 |
| Home runs | 8 |
| Runs batted in | 76 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Salvatore Philip Butera (born September 25, 1952) is an American former professionalbaseballcatcher. He played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) from 1980 to 1988, for five different teams. He was a major-league scout for theToronto Blue Jays during the 2015 season.
Signed by theMinnesota Twins as an amateur free agent in 1972, Butera made his major league debut in an extra innings game against theOakland Athletics on April 10, 1980. He struck out in his only at bat.[1]
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Butera remained with the Twins asButch Wynegar's back-up untilSpring training 1983 when he was dealt to theDetroit Tigers. Injuries limited Butera to only four games with the Tigers, with most of his season being spent with their Triple-A affiliate, theEvansville Triplets. He was released at the end of the season.
Butera spent the 1984 season with theMontreal Expos triple AAmerican Association affiliate, theIndianapolis Indians, and appeared in three games for the Expos following a September call-up. After the 1985 season, he was dealt to theCincinnati Reds withBill Gullickson forDann Bilardello,Andy McGaffigan,John Stuper andJay Tibbs. He was released by Cincinnati during the 1987 season, and was immediately re-signed by his original franchise, theMinnesota Twins. Butera was a member of the Twins team that defeated theSt. Louis Cardinals in the1987 World Series. He was released, re-signed, and released again by the Twins during the 1987–1988 offseason, then was signed by theToronto Blue Jays, where he played in 23 more games.[2]
Following his playing career, Butera was the video replay and catching coach for the Blue Jays during the 2014 season. He became a major league scout for the 2015 season.
Butera and his wife have a son,Drew, who also played for Minnesota during his major-league career, and later became a member of theLos Angeles Angels' andChicago White Sox's coaching staffs.
Butera was inducted into theSuffolk Sports Hall of Fame onLong Island in the Baseball Category with the Class of 2002.
Butera isCatholic and has said he relates especially toThomas the Apostle.[3]
· Baseball Almanac, orRetrosheet
