Schneider was selected by the Montreal Expos in the 5th round (143rd, overall) of the 1995 June draft. In 1997, while at the Class-ACape Fear Crocs, of the South Atlantic League, Schneider emerged as a premiere defensive player, while also posting solid offensive numbers, and was named to the mid-season All-Star team.[1]
Montreal Expos / Washington Nationals
After making a strong impression at the Expos’ spring training in 2000, Schneider was called up to the big leagues, following an injury to regular catcher Chris Widger. Schneider made his MLB debut on May 26, 2000, on the road at the San Diego Padres’ Qualcomm Stadium, going 0-for-1, after coming into the game as a defensive replacement, in the 9th inning. The following day, he made his first big league start, going 2-for-3, including a double, in the 6th inning, for his first major league hit.
In the 2001 season, Schneider split his time between the majors and minors, making the most of his opportunities whenever he was given playing time with the Expos.[1] He compiled a batting average of .317, in 27 games, driving in 6 runs, and scoring 4 times. On September 22, 2001, Schneider hit his first career home run, coming off Scott Elarton, in the fifth inning of a 3-1 Expos victory over the Colorado Rockies.
In 2002, Schneider served as the backup catcher to Michael Barrett. He made his outfield debut on June 4, 2002, against the Pittsburgh Pirates, playing left field, after pinch-hitting for Wil Cordero, in the eighth inning. In 73 games, Schneider hit .275, with 5 home runs, 29 RBIs, and 19 doubles. On September 24, 2002, he was honored as the Expos' nominee for Major League Baseball's first annual Roberto Clemente Award, losing out to Jim Thome.
In 2003, his fourth season with the Expos, Schneider caught a majority of the club's games for the first time, spending a total of 841 innings behind the plate. He was ranked fifth in the league in fielding with a .996 percentage, committing only three errors, in 709 total chances. At the plate, Schneider established career highs in numerous offensive categories, including hits (77), doubles (26), home runs (9), RBIs (46), total bases (132), and walks (37).
The 2004 season saw Schneider post career highs in hits (112), home runs (12), and RBIs (49). For the second straight season, he led major league catchers in throwing out base-stealers, with a 47.8 percent success rate. Schneider finished the season with a fielding percentage of .998, setting a new franchise single-season record for a catcher, in that category.
Schneider catches the first pitch at RFK Stadium from then-President George W. Bush at the Nationals' first home game on April 14, 2005
In 2005, the Expos franchise relocated to Washington, D.C. and became the Washington Nationals. Schneider was the first catcher in Washington Nationals history. That same year, Schneider threw out an MLB-leading 38 percent of would-be base-stealers. Between 2003 and 2005, Schneider threw out 43.5 percent of base-stealers, the best ratio in baseball over that period.[3]
Schneider struggled offensively during the first half of the 2006 season, hitting just .223 through August 4. His form picked up though, and he batted .324 with 9 doubles, 1 home run, and 21 RBIs, in the 42 games, thereafter. For the first time since 2002, Schneider did not lead either MLB or the National League (NL) in percentage of base-stealers thrown out, gunning down just 27%.[1]
Schneider was behind the plate, catching Mike Bacsik, when Barry Bonds hit his MLB record-breaking 756th career home run, on August 7, 2007.
On November 30, 2007, the Nationals traded Schneider and Ryan Church to the New York Mets for top prospect Lastings Milledge.[4] In his first season in New York, Schneider hit .257, with 9 home runs, and 38 RBIs, in 110 games. He scored the first-ever Mets run at their new ballpark, Citi Field, April 13, 2009, scoring on a double hit by Luis Castillo.
Philadelphia Phillies
On December 1, 2009, Schneider signed a two-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.[5] On July 8, 2010, Schneider hit a walk-off home run to give the Phillies a 4-3 win over the Cincinnati Reds.
Following the completion of his initial Phillies contract, where he served as the team's backup catcher behind Carlos Ruiz, Schneider signed a contract for one more season in Philadelphia prior to the 2012 season.
Retirement
After the 2012 season, Schneider announced his retirement from Major League Baseball, on January 29, 2013.[6]
Following the 2019 season, the Marlins did not renew Schneider’s contract.[8] On January 3, 2020, he was named as the manager of the Syracuse Mets.[9]
On February 7, 2020, Schneider was named quality control coach for the New York Mets, succeeding Luis Rojas, who was named Mets manager in January 2020.[10] Following the 2022 season, the Mets and Schneider parted ways.[11]
Personal life
On November 6, 2004, Schneider married Jordan Sproat. The couple have four children: daughters, Tatum (b. 2007) and Haven (b. 2012), and sons Calin (b. 2009) and Holden (b. 2010). The family currently lives in Jupiter, Florida, with their dog, Rookie.[1]
Catching For Kids Foundation
In 2008, Brian Schneider's Catching for Kids Foundation was established to support children and their participation in sports by providing funding and creative programming. The foundation strives to enable children of all backgrounds and physical abilities to enjoy the games they love.
