IUP Athletics announced earlier today that Steve Kline will take over as head coach for Crimson Hawks’ baseball next year.
Kline, a former Major League pitcher, becomes the program’s 14th head coach in history, and he comes to IUP after spending significant time as a pitching coach in the San Francisco Giants organization. He’s coached MLB pitchers including Kyle Crick and Chris Stratton – both currently on the Pittsburgh Pirates’ roster – Madison Bumgarner and Luis Castillo.
Athletic Director Todd Garzarelli called Kline’s baseball I.Q “second-to-none” in a news release. He also cites Kline’s ability to develop players and his approach to the community and he’s expecting big things to come.
Kline said in the release that the Indiana Community “has so much to offer,” and that he loves the atmosphere [IUP] provides.
You can read the full news release below.
From IUP Athletics:
INDIANA, Pa. – Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) has hired Steve Kline as the 14th head coach in the baseball program’s history, Director of Athletics Todd Garzarelli announced Friday afternoon.
“Today is a great day not only for the IUP baseball program, but for the IUP Athletic Department as a whole, as we welcome Steve to the Crimson Hawk family,” said Garzarelli. “Steve’s baseball acumen, development of players, and community approach is second to none. With Steve at the helm, we are expecting big things from our baseball program for a long time.”
“I want to thank IUP and its athletic director, Todd Garzarelli, for affording me this opportunity to become the baseball program’s next head coach,” said Kline. “This is a dream come true for me to return home to Pennsylvania and coach the sport that I love. I believe the Indiana Community has so much to offer and I love the atmosphere that the campus provides. As a university, IUP supports and prepares its student-athletes for a successful future and as the coach of the baseball program, I will be encouraging in their academic and athletic ambitions and want to give them a memorable IUP experience.”
Kline comes to the Crimson Hawks with 11 years of experience as a Major League pitcher and 15 years as a pitching coach and player development at a variety of levels of professional baseball.
Kline has spent his entire professional coaching career in the San Francisco Giants organization, coaching more than 100 players who would go on to appear in the Major Leagues. He’s won three World Series rings as an organizational coach and has been part of two minor league championship teams.
Kline has been the pitching coach for the Giants Double-A affiliate, the Richmond (Va.) Flying Squirrels, since 2020, while also serving as a member of the staff from 2015-17. He was with the big club in 2019 and also spent time with the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats (2018-19), Single-A Augusta (Ga.) GreenJackets (2009-11, 13-14), and Single-A San Jose Giants (2012). Kline got his start in 2008 with the Giants, serving as a roving pitching instructor with the organization.
In addition to his time with the Giants, Kline was New Zealand’s pitching coach for the 2013 World Baseball Classic and was an instructional league pitching instructor in the Dominican Republic from 2008-18.
Current Major Leaguers Kline has coached include:
- Madison Bumgarner, RHP, Arizona
- Luis Castillo, RHP, Cincinnati
- Sam Coonrod, RHP, Philadelphia
- Brandon Crawford, SS, Giants
- Kyle Crick, RHP, Pittsburgh
- Matt Duffy, INF, Cubs
- Adam Duvall, OF, Miami
- Heath Hembree, RHP, Cincinnati
- Joe Panik, 2B, Toronto
- Buster Posey, C, Giants
- Chris Stratton, RHP, Pittsburgh
- Stephen Vogt, C, Arizona
- Zack Wheeler, RHP, Philadelphia
Kline’s Major League pitching career spanned from his 1997 debut with the Cleveland Indians to his final game in 2007 with the Giants. The left-hander appeared in 796 games over his 11 seasons with Cleveland, the Montreal Expos, St. Louis Cardinals, Baltimore Orioles, and San Francisco.
He led the league in appearances for three straight seasons (1999-2001), even earning an MVP vote in 2001 with the Cardinals. At the time of his retirement, his 89 appearances in 2001 were the most in a single season by a left-handed pitcher in MLB history.
Kline is also the only pitcher to appear in a game for seven straight days, he’s one of with 94 pitchers to tally four strikeouts in one inning, and he posted a save on five consecutive days.
He was part of two league championship teams (Cleveland, St. Louis) and pitched for the Cardinals in the 2004 World Series.
Kline was selected in the eighth round of the 1993 MLB June Amateur Draft by Cleveland out of West Virginia University, where he was the Atlantic-10 Pitcher of the Year. Before his MLB debut he would earn two minor league All-Star nods, lead the Buffalo Bisons (AAA) to a minor league championship, and win the 1994 Bob Feller Award as Cleveland’s Minor League Pitcher of the Year.
Kline has hosted or helped coach several camps and clinics over the years from ages 7 thru college and has coached high school football and wrestling.
He has always been extremely active in the community, helping with organizations such as the YMCA, Women in Transition, the Baseball Assistance Team (BATS), Pennsylvania State Police Camp Cadet Summer Program, and the MLB Players Alumni Association, among many others.
Kline is a native of Sunbury, Pennsylvania and graduated from Lewisburg High School.
Follow
For coverage of the IUP baseball program, follow the Crimson Hawks on Twitter and Instagram @IUPBaseball and online at IUPAthletics.com.
What they’re saying about Kline:
Bruce Bochy – San Francisco Giants Special Advisor
“I’m happy for Steve and I’m really happy for IUP as well. They are getting a Coach who has lived the game of baseball for almost 30 years and has coached over 100 players that made it to the big leagues. He brings vast experience from all aspects and levels of the game. As a player he had the drive which led to his Major League career, and I see him passing that on every day to the players he now coaches. He pushes them to be their best because he knows what success looks like and truly wants every player he coaches to reach their highest potential. I wish him nothing but the best as he moves home to PA to be the Head Baseball Coach at IUP.”
Kyle Crick – Pitcher, Pittsburgh Pirates
“Coach Kline is one of those coaches you never forget. He’s the kind to push you, really push you to be your best. He knew what I was capable of, even when I didn’t. His ability to train me on how to strengthen my weak areas and master my strengths helped to get me where I am today. He will certainly bring out the best in the IUP Baseball players he coaches.”
Chris Stratton – Pitcher, Pittsburgh Pirates
“When you live your life from a kid wanting to play a sport that you love, and to be the one of best, the way to get there is to have a coach like Steve Kline. His experience in every level of the game helped me to succeed and to live my dream. The way he trained me, encouraged me to never give up, and taught me to be a true team player, gave me the edge I needed to get where I am today. IUP is fortunate to have him leading their team.”
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