History of Stephen Vogt in Timeline
Stephen Guy Vogt is a retired American professional baseball player and current manager for the Cleveland Guardians. His primary position was catcher, and he played for several MLB teams, including the Tampa Bay Rays, Oakland Athletics, Milwaukee Brewers, San Francisco Giants, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Atlanta Braves. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2007 and achieved All-Star status in 2015 and 2016 while playing for the Oakland Athletics.
1962: Comes Close to Breaking School Batting Average Record
During his senior year at Azusa Pacific University, Stephen Vogt had a .476 batting average, which was one point short of the school record set by Jim Phillips in 1962.
November 1, 1984: Birth of Stephen Vogt
Stephen Guy Vogt was born on November 1, 1984.
1998: Becomes Bat Boy for the CVC Cavaliers
In 1998, Stephen Vogt became the batboy for the Central Valley Christian Schools (CVC) Cavaliers, his father's baseball team.
1999: Attends the Final Game at Candlestick Park
Stephen Vogt and his family attended the final game at Candlestick Park in 1999.
2000: Second All-Star Selection and First Half Performance
During the first half of the 2016 season, Stephen Vogt maintained a .277 batting average with seven home runs and 27 RBIs in 72 games. His performance earned him his second consecutive selection to the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, making him the first Oakland Athletics non-pitcher to achieve this since Jason Giambi in 2000 and 2001. Despite the honor, Vogt did not get to play in the All-Star game itself.
2000: Attends the First Game at Pacific Bell Park
The Vogt family attended the San Francisco Giants' first game at the team's new stadium, Pacific Bell Park, in 2000.
2001: Second All-Star Selection and First Half Performance
During the first half of the 2016 season, Stephen Vogt maintained a .277 batting average with seven home runs and 27 RBIs in 72 games. His performance earned him his second consecutive selection to the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, making him the first Oakland Athletics non-pitcher to achieve this since Jason Giambi in 2000 and 2001. Despite the honor, Vogt did not get to play in the All-Star game itself.
2002: Attends Every Game of the World Series at Pac Bell Park
Stephen Vogt and his family watched every game of the 2002 World Series at Pac Bell Park.
2003: Alyssa Vogt Graduates High School
Alyssa Vogt graduated from Capital High School in Olympia, Washington, in 2003.
2003: Named East Sierra League Most Valuable Player
Stephen Vogt graduated from CVC in 2003. During his time on his high school baseball team, he set several school records. In his senior year, he was named the East Sierra League Most Valuable Player.
2004: Alyssa Vogt's Basketball Career Begins
Alyssa Vogt embarked on her college basketball journey in 2004, showcasing her skills and becoming a standout player for Azusa Pacific University.
April 1, 2005: Leads the Golden State Athletic Conference in Batting Average
By April 1, 2005, during his sophomore year at Azusa Pacific University, Stephen Vogt was leading the Golden State Athletic Conference with a .422 batting average.
May 2005: Named Golden State Athletic Conference Player of the Year
Stephen Vogt was named the Golden State Athletic Conference Player of the Year in May 2005, the first Cougar to receive the honor. He batted .453 on the season.
April 14, 2006: Maintains High Batting Average
By April 14, 2006, Stephen Vogt was batting .404, which put him at fourth in the Golden State Athletic Conference.
July 13, 2007: Professional Debut with the Hudson Valley Renegades
Stephen Vogt made his professional debut with the Hudson Valley Renegades on July 13, 2007. He struggled at first, hitting just .173 through 17 games. However, he ended the season with a batting average higher than .300.
2007: Alyssa Vogt's Basketball Career Flourishes
By 2007, Alyssa Vogt had established herself as a formidable player in college basketball, having played all five positions and scored over 1,000 points.
2007: Drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays
Stephen Vogt was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 12th round of the 2007 MLB draft.
2008: Plays for the Columbus Catfish
In 2008, Stephen Vogt played for the Columbus Catfish of the South Atlantic League.
May 2009: Season-Ending Injury
In May 2009, Vogt sustained a serious shoulder injury while playing for the Charlotte Stone Crabs. While sliding into home plate headfirst, he tore the labrum in his left shoulder, requiring surgery and ending his season. This injury prevented him from throwing or hitting for eight months, raising concerns about his future in baseball.
2009: Vogt Wins Tampa Bay Rays Talent Show
Stephen Vogt's talent extended beyond the baseball field, as evidenced by his victory in the Tampa Bay Rays talent show in 2009.
January 2010: Career Uncertainty and Recovery Setback
Vogt faced a setback in his shoulder recovery in January 2010, leading him to contemplate retirement. He considered transitioning to coaching but was encouraged by his wife, Alyssa, to persevere in his pursuit of a baseball career.
2010: Chris Carter's Hitless Streak
In 2010, Chris Carter, playing for the Oakland Athletics, set a record for the longest hitless streak by a non-pitcher at the start of their career, going 0 for 33.
2010: Vogt's Talent Show Success Continues
Stephen Vogt secured another victory in the Tampa Bay Rays talent show in 2010, further solidifying his reputation as a multi-talented individual.
2010: Breakthrough Season with the Stone Crabs
In 2010, despite starting as a third-string catcher for the Charlotte Stone Crabs, Vogt had a remarkable season. He earned the Player of the Month award within the Rays organization for his .404 batting average and 10 RBIs in May. His performance, including a franchise-record 17-game hitting streak, led him to be named to the Class A Florida State League All-Star team. Vogt finished the season with an impressive .345 batting average, the third-highest ever recorded by a Rays minor league player. He led the league with a .511 slugging percentage and a .910 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS), earning him the Florida State League batting title. Beyond his on-field achievements, Vogt received the Rays' Erik Walker Community Champion Award, recognizing his contributions to the community, sportsmanship, and teamwork.
July 28, 2011: Promotion to Triple-A Durham Bulls
On July 28, 2011, after demonstrating his skills and achieving a notable 85 RBIs in 97 games for the Montgomery Biscuits, Vogt was called up to the Durham Bulls, a Triple-A team in the International League.
2011: Vogt's Rise Through the Minor Leagues and First Major League Spring Training
In 2011, Vogt took his game to new heights, showcasing his talent in various minor league teams. He started with the Montgomery Biscuits, achieving an impressive .325 batting average with seven home runs and 33 RBIs by May, earning him midseason and postseason Southern League All-Star honors. His performance led to a promotion to the Durham Bulls, a Triple-A team, where he continued to excel, recording his first 100-RBI season. Despite his offensive prowess, Vogt's defensive positioning remained fluid, playing as a catcher, first baseman, and outfielder throughout the season. His outstanding performance was recognized with the Tampa Bay Rays' Minor League Player of the Year award. He also participated in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League during the offseason, demonstrating his dedication to improving his skills.
2011: Named Tampa Bay's Minor League Player of the Year
Stephen Vogt was named the Tampa Bay Rays' Minor League Player of the Year in 2011.
2011: Vogt Family Welcomes Daughter Payton
Stephen and Alyssa Vogt welcomed their first child, a daughter named Payton, in 2011.
April 6, 2012: Major League Debut
On April 6, 2012, Stephen Vogt achieved a significant milestone by making his Major League debut with the Tampa Bay Rays, playing against the New York Yankees. He entered the game as a pinch hitter, showcasing his readiness to contribute at the highest level of professional baseball.
2012: Stephen Vogt's MLB Debut and Hitless Streak
In 2012, Stephen Vogt made his MLB debut with the Tampa Bay Rays, playing as a catcher, outfielder, and first baseman. However, he struggled offensively, going hitless in 25 at-bats, a record for American League position players.
2012: Continued Minor League Journey and Consistent Performance
During the 2012 season, Vogt continued to refine his skills in the minor leagues, showcasing resilience and determination despite the setbacks of being sent back down to Durham. He started slowly upon returning to Durham but soon found his rhythm, achieving an impressive .364 batting average in June and receiving recognition as Tampa Bay's top minor league player of the month. Vogt's consistency at the plate was evident in his impressive on-base streaks, including a 27-game streak and a 12-game streak, demonstrating his plate discipline and ability to get on base. By the end of the season, Vogt had solidified his place as a valuable asset, recording a .272 batting average, 43 RBIs, and nine home runs for the Durham Bulls. His versatility as a catcher and outfielder, combined with his consistent offensive performance, positioned him for future opportunities at higher levels of baseball.
2012: MLB Debut with the Tampa Bay Rays
At 27 years old, Stephen Vogt made his MLB debut with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2012. He started his career with a 32 at-bat hitless streak.
March 31, 2013: Vogt Designated for Assignment and Traded to Oakland
On March 31, 2013, the Tampa Bay Rays designated Stephen Vogt for assignment. Shortly after, he was traded to the Oakland Athletics, where he was assigned to their Triple-A affiliate, the Sacramento River Cats.
2013: Vogt's Postseason Heroics
During the 2013 ALDS, Stephen Vogt became a postseason hero for the Oakland Athletics. Despite a late-season slump, he started all five games and hit a walk-off single in Game 2, securing a crucial win for the A's.
2013: Vogt's Breakthrough with the Oakland Athletics
In 2013, Stephen Vogt had his breakthrough season with the Oakland Athletics. He played in 45 games, batting .252 with four home runs and 16 RBIs. The A's performed well with Vogt as a starter, going 27-13 in those games.
2013: Joins the Oakland Athletics and Starts in the ALDS
Stephen Vogt began playing for the Oakland Athletics in 2013. That year, he started all three games of the 2013 American League Division Series (ALDS) and hit a game-winning single in Game 2.
2014: Vogt Family Welcomes Son Clark
The Vogt family expanded in 2014 with the birth of their second child, a son named Clark.
2014: Vogt's Best Offensive Season
The 2014 season was a standout year for Vogt offensively, marking the last time he achieved such high batting averages before his 2018 performance. His 2014 statistics became a benchmark for his career successes.
2014: Vogt's highest batting average since 2014
In 2019, Stephen Vogt finished the season with the San Francisco Giants, achieving a .263 batting average, his highest since 2014.
2014: Vogt's Growing Popularity and "I Believe" Chant
In 2014, Stephen Vogt's popularity with Oakland Athletics fans grew, leading to the emergence of the "I believe in Stephen Vogt!" chant. This chant, inspired by the US soccer team's chant, became widespread and even appeared on merchandise.
2014: Stephen Vogt's 2014 Season
In 2014, Stephen Vogt played a variety of positions for the Oakland Athletics, including catcher, outfield, and first base. He had a hitting slump from July 29 to August 6 but ended it with a home run. Vogt suffered a left ankle sprain on September 3, limiting his playing time. Despite the injuries, he led the team in batting average with .298 by September 20.
2014: Oakland Fans Create "I believe in Stephen Vogt!" Chant
In 2014, Oakland Athletics fans created a chant for Stephen Vogt - "I believe in Stephen Vogt!" That same year, he also won the Catfish Hunter Award (most inspirational player) for three consecutive years and the Dave Stewart Community Service Award for two straight years.
2014: Strong Spring Training and Return to Sacramento
Despite a strong spring training performance in 2014, Stephen Vogt didn't make the Oakland Athletics' opening day roster. He returned to the Sacramento River Cats, where he continued to play well before being recalled to Oakland in June.
2014: End of 2014 Season and Awards
By the end of the 2014 season, Stephen Vogt had played a career-high 84 games with a .279 batting average, 35 RBIs, nine home runs, and 75 hits. He received the Oakland's Catfish Hunter Award for his contributions on and off the field. Vogt underwent foot surgery after the season to repair a ruptured plantar plate.
2014: Vogt's Career Highs and Grand Slams
During the 2014 season, Stephen Vogt achieved career-highs in several offensive categories. On May 3rd, he hit his second career multi-home run game. The following day, Vogt hit his first career grand slam. By May 13th, he was leading the American League in RBIs and had matched his career-high and previous season total for home runs. On June 15th, he hit his second career grand slam.
2015: Vogt's highest batting average since 2015
Stephen Vogt ended the 2017 season with the Milwaukee Brewers with a .254 batting average, his highest since 2015.
2015: Start of Vogt's Tenure as Starting Catcher
With the Oakland Athletics trading their starting catchers, Stephen Vogt became the team's starting catcher in 2015. He earned the starting role over Josh Phegley and made adjustments to his hitting approach during the offseason. Vogt started strong, hitting a three-run home run on opening day and his first multi-homer game on April 17.
2015: First All-Star Selection
Stephen Vogt was selected for the 2015 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, marking his first All-Star appearance. He became the second Azusa Pacific University student-athlete to achieve this honor. Vogt and Sonny Gray were the only starting pitcher-catcher duo from the same team in the American League All-Star squad. He struck out in his only at-bat during the game and later donated his framed jersey to Azusa Pacific University.
2015: First MLB All-Star Selection
Stephen Vogt was selected as an MLB All-Star for the first time in 2015 while playing for the Oakland Athletics.
2015: Vogt's Impressions Earn Him Accolades
Stephen Vogt's knack for impressions earned him recognition in 2015 when he won an Esurance MLB Award for Best Interview for an interview he conducted in character as Matt Foley.
2015: Injury and End of 2015 Season
On September 6, 2015, Stephen Vogt suffered an injury from a foul ball, causing him to miss 12 games. He finished the season with a .261 batting average, a career-high 18 home runs, and 71 RBIs. Despite his personal achievements, the Oakland Athletics finished with the worst record in the American League. Vogt acknowledged the team's struggles impacted him mentally. He received the Dave Stewart Community Service Award, the Catfish Hunter Award for the second consecutive year, the Athletics Good Guy Award, and was nominated for the Roberto Clemente Award and the Hutch Award.
2015: Leads AL Catchers in Offensive Categories
For the first half of the 2015 season, Stephen Vogt led all American League catchers in most offensive categories.
2015: Second All-Star Selection and First Half Performance
During the first half of the 2016 season, Stephen Vogt maintained a .277 batting average with seven home runs and 27 RBIs in 72 games. His performance earned him his second consecutive selection to the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, making him the first Oakland Athletics non-pitcher to achieve this since Jason Giambi in 2000 and 2001. Despite the honor, Vogt did not get to play in the All-Star game itself.
July 2016: Stephen Vogt's Mother Passes Away
Tragedy struck Stephen Vogt's life in July 2016 when his mother, Toni, passed away.
November 2016: Vogt Receives Threads of Hope Award
Stephen Vogt's commitment to philanthropy was recognized in November 2016 when he received the Threads of Hope Award from Diablo Magazine for his work with the School of Imagination.
2016: Vogt's Defensive Struggles and Continued Success
Despite his offensive contributions in 2016, Stephen Vogt experienced a decline in his defensive performance, failing to throw out any runners attempting to steal bases. However, his positive impact on the team was still recognized as he received the Catfish Hunter Award for the third consecutive year and the Dave Stewart Community Service Award for the second year in a row, becoming the first two-time recipient of the latter.
2016: Vogt's Career Year with Oakland
During the 2016 season, Stephen Vogt had a career year with the Oakland Athletics. He played in a career-high 137 games, one more than the previous season, and maintained a .251 batting average with 14 home runs and 56 RBIs. He also achieved a notable feat on September 15th by matching his career-high single-game RBI with five runs batted in against the Kansas City Royals.
2016: Second All-Star Selection and First Half Performance
During the first half of the 2016 season, Stephen Vogt maintained a .277 batting average with seven home runs and 27 RBIs in 72 games. His performance earned him his second consecutive selection to the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, making him the first Oakland Athletics non-pitcher to achieve this since Jason Giambi in 2000 and 2001. Despite the honor, Vogt did not get to play in the All-Star game itself.
2016: Surgery, Start of 2016 Season and Career Firsts
Stephen Vogt underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow on January 29, 2016. He recovered in time for the regular season and had a consistent start, hitting .273 in his first 10 games. On July 9th, Vogt hit his first opposite-field home run. He also finished one triple short of hitting for the cycle for the third time in his career.
2016: Second MLB All-Star Selection
Stephen Vogt was selected as an MLB All-Star for the second time in 2016, again representing the Oakland Athletics. He was ranked among the top five catchers in batting average heading into the All-Star break.
January 13, 2017: Vogt Signs New Contract with Oakland
Stephen Vogt signed a contract worth $2,965,000 with the Oakland Athletics on January 13, 2017. This new contract came with a strategic plan from manager Bob Melvin to reduce Vogt's playing time behind the plate to minimize the risk of injuries and provide him with more rest, especially with the addition of catcher Bruce Maxwell to the roster.
June 25, 2017: Vogt Joins the Milwaukee Brewers
On June 25, 2017, the Milwaukee Brewers claimed Stephen Vogt off waivers. This move aimed to utilize him in a timeshare with catcher Manny Piña. Through his first 12 games with the Brewers, he maintained a .250 batting average with four home runs and nine RBIs.
2017: Vogt's Season with the Brewers
In 2017, Stephen Vogt finished his season with a combined .233 batting average, 12 home runs, and 40 RBIs between his time with the Oakland Athletics and the Milwaukee Brewers. While he showed offensive promise, his batting average and on-base percentage of .285 were his lowest since his MLB debut in 2012. His struggles were further compounded by a knee injury sustained in a collision with Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Chad Kuhl on July 17th. Despite these challenges, he returned to the Brewers in August after a rehabilitation assignment and finished the season with a .254 batting average for Milwaukee, his highest since his 2015 All-Star season. His overall performance in 2017 was marked by both resilience and areas for improvement, particularly in his defensive game where he only threw out three of 66 runners attempting stolen bases across both teams.
2017: Joins the Milwaukee Brewers
Stephen Vogt joined the Milwaukee Brewers in 2017. This would become an injury-shortened season.
2017: Vogt's Departure from Oakland
In 2017, Stephen Vogt's time with Oakland came to an end after he was designated for assignment on June 22nd. Despite a slash line of .217/.287/.357, four home runs, 20 RBIs, and a .644 OPS in 54 games, his declining defensive performance, including a low caught stealing percentage of 15%, led to his departure. His departure was met with disappointment from teammates like Sean Doolittle and Josh Reddick, who recognized his leadership and positive influence within the clubhouse.
May 15, 2018: Last "Splash Hit" by a Giant before Vogt
On May 15, 2018, Brandon Belt was the last Giant to hit a "splash hit" - a home run into McCovey Cove at Oracle Park - before Stephen Vogt achieved the feat.
2018: Sidelined Due to Shoulder Injury
Stephen Vogt missed more than a year of baseball due to a shoulder injury sustained in 2018.
2018: Vogt's Season-Ending Injury and Uncertain Future
Stephen Vogt's 2018 season was cut short due to a shoulder injury sustained during spring training. Despite undergoing surgery and working towards a comeback, he was unable to return to the field. Vogt's dedication to the team was evident in his decision to travel with the Brewers, taking on a hybrid player-coach role. However, his future in baseball remained uncertain as he entered free agency on November 1st.
January 31, 2019: Vogt's Comeback Trail Begins
On January 31, 2019, Stephen Vogt held a workout for interested teams, signaling his determination to return to Major League Baseball after a shoulder injury sidelined him the previous year. This workout, attended by five teams including the San Francisco Giants, represented a pivotal step in his comeback journey.
March 2019: Vogt's Humor Recognized by Teammates
In a testament to his humor and personality, Stephen Vogt was voted as one of the funniest teammates on the San Francisco Giants by his fellow players in March 2019.
November 2019: Signs with the Arizona Diamondbacks
Stephen Vogt signed a one-year contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks in November 2019.
November 26, 2019: Vogt Signs with Arizona Diamondbacks
On November 26, 2019, Stephen Vogt joined the Arizona Diamondbacks, signing a one-year contract with the team.
2020: Vogt's Performance with the Diamondbacks
In 2020, Vogt's performance with the Arizona Diamondbacks was statistically underwhelming, recording a low batting average and limited home runs and RBIs.
July 16, 2021: Vogt Traded to Atlanta Braves
On July 16, 2021, Stephen Vogt was traded from the Arizona Diamondbacks to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for player Mason Berne.
2021: Vogt's Improved Performance with the Diamondbacks
Vogt showed improvement in his performance with the Diamondbacks in 2021, achieving a better batting average, more home runs, and RBIs compared to the previous year.
March 24, 2022: Vogt Returns to Oakland Athletics
Stephen Vogt returned to the Oakland Athletics, the team where he started his MLB career, signing a one-year contract on March 24, 2022.
September 22, 2022: Vogt Announces Retirement
On September 22, 2022, Stephen Vogt announced his decision to retire from professional baseball at the end of the season.
January 10, 2023: Vogt Joins Seattle Mariners Coaching Staff
Stephen Vogt transitioned to a coaching role after retirement, joining the Seattle Mariners as their bullpen and quality control coach on January 10, 2023.
November 6, 2023: Vogt Named Cleveland Guardians Manager
On November 6, 2023, Stephen Vogt was appointed as the manager of the Cleveland Guardians, marking a significant step in his post-playing career.
2024: Cleveland Guardians Win AL Central Division
In 2024, Stephen Vogt achieved a significant milestone as a manager when he led the Cleveland Guardians to win the American League Central Division title.