Bill Schroeder Retrospective - Good Catcher, Great Announcer

Alfred William Schroeder was born in Maryland in 1958. He grew up in New Jersey, where he earned all-state honors. After attending Clemson University, he was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 8th round of the 1979 draft. 

The right-handed hitting Bill Schroeder displayed good power and solid receiving skills and steadily moved up the minor league ladder. He reached the majors at the end of the 1983 season, receiving a 23-game trial with the big league club.

Schroeder spent the next five seasons as Milwaukee's reserve catcher, generally receiving 200 or so plate appearances a year. He periodically served as the team's designated hitter and first baseman, but catcher was where he played most of his games.

Schroeder's rookie season showed off his promising power as he socked 14 HRs in only 227 plate appearances. But it also showed off a serious flaw in the big catcher's game - only eight walks.  

For five years, Schroeder provided solid, if unspectacular, production from the reserve catcher position. His best year was in 1987 when he slugged 14 home runs (tying him for the most in his career with his rookie season) with a robust .332 batting average. He also caught Juan Nieves's no-hitter - the only solo no-hitter in Brewer history.

He followed up his best season with his worst - hitting a mere .156 in 1988 as an elbow injury limited his playing time. The result was a trade to the California Angels in the off-season. The Brewers received infielder Gus Polidor in return. Schroeder played two more undistinguished seasons with the Angels before being released after the 1990 season. He retired shortly afterward.

His playing career may have been done, but Schroeder's association with the Milwaukee Brewers was just beginning. He landed a job in 1994 as a baseball analyst for a Milwaukee-area show called Baseball Sunday; then, in 1995, he was asked to be the television color commentator for the Crew - a position he has held for more than 25+ years. 

In addition to his announcing gig, Schroder has served as the coordinator of the Brewers Fantasy Camp for over a decade. 

During his playing career in Milwaukee, Schroeder hit 54 home runs in five full seasons. He showed good power, but he never really hit that well or took many walks (he had a .246 batting average and a .291 on-base percentage), which limited him as a hitter. His most significant contribution came as the Brewers' longtime announcer. Part of Schroeder’s appeal has been his embracing of the Milwaukee organization and the community, which he makes his home. Brewer fans have returned the love - enjoying Rock’s folksy enthusiasm, humor, and good nature.

In 2015, Schroeder was inducted into the Brewers Wall of Honor.

Please share your memories of former Brewer catcher (and current announcer) Bill Schroeder.