Questioning Authority with Steve Decker

Like many people who get promoted within their company, Steve Decker lamented -- but only briefly -- about having to relocate.

After guiding the short-season Salem-Keizer Volcanoes to back-to-back Northwest League titles in 2006 and '07, the San Francisco Giants asked Decker to head south on Interstate 5 to manage the Class A Advanced San Jose Giants in the California League. The former Major League catcher accepted, but now has to deal with the prospect of an actual commute to work.

"When I was in Salem-Keizer, I lived maybe a mile-and-a-half from the stadium," Decker said. "If I wanted to, I could walk just 10 or 15 minutes to the park. But I'd also have to go around some people's property a bit, so that would stretch it out a little longer. Now I'll have to drive to the ballpark every day, but it won't be too long of a drive thankfully."

Moving around is not a new concept to Decker. As a 13-year veteran, Decker played with eight different organizations starting with the Giants, who drafted him in the 21st round of the 1988 First-Year Player Draft. Decker was also part of the inaugural roster for the Florida Marlins in 1993 before moving on to Colorado, Seattle, the New York Mets, Pittsburgh and Anaheim. Decker retired in 2000 at age 34 in the Oakland Athletics' system, playing 62 games behind the plate and at first base for Sacramento.

While managing Salem-Keizer for three years, Decker compiled a 157-71 record (.689 winning percentage) with the Volcanoes. Last season, Decker guided the Volcanoes to a 57-19 record, posting an impressive .750 winning percentage while his team was named MiLB.com's Team of the Year.

Minorleaguebaseball.com: What do you remember most about your first time in the Minor Leagues?

Steve Decker: Back in 1988 when I was drafted in the 21st round by the Giants, I remember being a "hit first"-type of catcher. Behind the plate, I was very crude, to say the least, being 22 years old. When I got up to San Jose for the first time, I remember my first manager, Duane Espy, taking me aside and he really helped me learn the position. Now recently, I made the All-20-Year Team with San Jose and I doubt I would have made it without his help.

MiLB.com: Have times changed much? How are they different from your playing days?

SD: Everything is a lot better. The Giants [San Francisco and San Jose] have much better facilities than they used to. The facilities are better, the food is great and the weight rooms and workout facilities are a lot better. I'm not one of those guys who say: "All I got when I played was a bruised banana and warm soup! You guys get a three-course meal," but sometimes I find myself wishing that I saw some of that when I was playing.

MiLB.com: What is your favorite story to tell from your days in the Minors?

SD: There weren't that many big things that happened to me as far as the team goes, other than winning the championship with (Double-A) Shreveport in 1990. But it was back in A-ball with San Jose that I got married to my wife, Maite (short for Mary-Teresa). We originally met back in college at Lewis-Clark State College (in Idaho). It was pretty tough early on because she was busy finishing her Masters degree and you weren't making much in the Minors -- something along the lines of $700 a month. During the offseason, I was working two jobs, including one at night, to make ends meet. It was tough, but that's part of being in the Minors.

MiLB.com: How have your former big league teammates reacted to you becoming a coach? Did it surprise them?

SD: In the baseball family -- and I call it a family because so many guys change teams, play against each other, share the same agents or what have you -- you always bump into people and they ask how are you doing or what's new. Sometimes guys are pretty young when they get into coaching, so sometimes you still see them in uniform. You'd go up to them and say: "Hey, you jump the fence yet?" If a guy goes from playing to coaching, a lot of players call that "fence jumping." They'd sometimes they would say, "you see a watch on me," because if you're still playing, you're not wearing a wrist watch. So, yeah, I'm a fence jumper, watch and all. I don't think me becoming a coach was a surprise to many since I'd been in the game for so long and it was a natural progression from being a catcher to being a coach.

MiLB.com: Do many of your players know you are a former Major Leaguer?

SD: Yeah, actually. Most of them do. They've been a pretty sharp group, with the internet and baseball cards and stuff. It feels good when you hear from a player that he remembers when you used to play.

MiLB.com: How much do you learn from your players? Do they keep you up-to-date with pop culture?

SD: They do a good-enough job of keeping me in the loop. Mostly, it's the music that takes some getting used to. Some of the music they listen to really makes you wonder and scratch your head. They also push the dress code a little bit and you have to remind them that they're ballplayers and not something else.

MiLB.com: How do the fans react to you? Do any of them remember you from your playing days?

SD: Sometimes I get people that recognize me. I don't get that many since I wasn't an everyday player. I'm sure I might get that more now that I'm in the California League though. It's always nice.

MiLB.com: What cities do you enjoy visiting the most?

SD: I liked to visit Boise, Idaho a lot. Vancouver too. Both of them were really beautiful cities to go. There are a lot of really nice, beautiful ballparks in the Northwest League. I'm also looking forward to all the new parks the California League has.

MiLB.com: What is the toughest part of the job?

SD: I'd have to say being away from the family, without a doubt. It'll be a little tougher since I'm going to a full-season league.

MiLB.com: Do you collect any of your bobblehead dolls or baseball cards?

SD: No, not really. I don't have any bobblehead dolls that I can think of, and I've never really been much into memorabilia. Can't say that I have much of my own stuff.