Mark Strittmatter #22

**Coaching Career** Mark Strittmatter is in his second season with the Pirates, having joined Manager Clint Hurdle's staff as a Major League Coach on November 24, 2010. In his role, he will serve the big league coaching staff as the pitcher's hitting coach and will also assist the catchers and the hitting program. The former catcher spent almost his entire nine-year playing career in the Colorado minor league system from 1992 until halfway thru the 2000 season. He then finished off the last few months of his career with San Diego's Triple-A affiliate before retiring. His only big league action came as a September call-up in 1998, making his Major League debut as the starting catcher on 9/3/98 at County Stadium in Milwaukee. Stritty appeared in four games for the Rockies in 1998 and went hitless in four at bats. In his minor league career, Strittmatter hit .246 with 27 home runs and 207 RBI in 556 games. **Playing Career** During his time as a player, Mark came to Coors Field in Denver during the 1998 All-Star festivities to serve as a catcher in the National League bullpen. Prior to joining the Pittsburgh coaching staff, Strittmatter spent eight years (2003-2010) as the Bullpen catcher for the Rockies, having been named to that position on October 15, 2002. He also served the Rockies as their Catching Coach in 2008 and 2009. Strittmatter made his first All-Star appearance in 2008, as he served on the National League All-Star coaching staff led by Clint Hurdle at Yankee Stadium in July. **Personal** Mark Arthur Strittmatter...Wife's name is Katie...Has two children; son Sean (8/24/03) and daughter Emily (11/18/04)...Is a 1987 graduate of Ridgewood (NJ) High School, where he lettered in baseball and basketball...Played baseball at Morris County Junior College in Randolph, NJ, for two years before transferring to Virginia Commonwealth University...Was the Rams starting catcher (1991-92) and hit .333 in 107 games as a member of 1992 team which won the Metro Conference Championship...Was a member of Colorado's first June draft in 1992.