Tim Teufel
Encyclopedia
Timothy Shawn Teufel is a former Major League Baseball
second baseman
, and currently the 3rd base coach for the New York Mets
.
Teufel was a member of the World Series
champion New York Mets
. Throughout his career, Teufel was also known for his batting stance, the "Teufel shuffle," in which he wiggled his buttocks back and forth before the pitcher
's delivery.
, and Clemson University
in South Carolina
. At age 19, he was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers
in the sixteenth round of the 1978 Major League Baseball Draft
, but did not sign. Teufel was drafted by the Chicago White Sox
in the third round of the secondary phase of the 1979 Major League Baseball Draft
, but again did not sign. In the 1980 Major League Baseball Draft
, Teufel was drafted in the second round and signed with the Minnesota Twins
.
. In , Teufel lit up the International League
with a .323 batting average
, 1.022 OPS
, 27 home runs and 100 runs batted in resulting in a September call-up to the major leagues. He made his major league debut on September 3 in 13-0 drubbing at the hands of Scott McGregor and the Baltimore Orioles
.
Teufel went 2-for-4 and score two runs
to help the last place Twins snap a five game losing streak on September 6. On September 16, Teufel led off the game by hitting his first major league home run off Jim Gott
of the Toronto Blue Jays
. His second career home run came in the eighth inning of the same game. In all, Teufel went 5-for-5 with two home runs and five runs scored in arguably the best offensive game of his career. By the end of the season, the Twins surpassed the Seattle Mariners
to avoid a last place finish.
The following season, Teufel snatched the starting second base job away from former Rookie of the Year John Castino
. In his rookie
season, Teufel had 149 hits
, 30 doubles
, fourteen home runs, 61 RBIs and provided solid defense at second base for the Twins. The Twins improved to 81-81 in , which was good enough for a second place finish in the American League West
. Teufel finished fourth behind Alvin Davis
, Mark Langston
and teammate Kirby Puckett
in American League
Rookie of the Year balloting.
The Twins fell back into fifth place in . Following the season, Teufel was traded with minor leaguer Pat Crosby to the New York Mets for Billy Beane
, Bill Latham
and Joe Klink
.
pitchers in a platoon system
with New York. Splitting time with Wally Backman
, Teufel started quickly in with a go-ahead 14th inning single
in his first game with the Mets (although they lost in the bottom half of the inning). His average stayed around .220 into June. On June 10, Teufel had one of the most exciting moments in the Mets championship season with a walk-off
pinch-hit
grand slam
in the bottom of the 11th inning against the Philadelphia Phillies
.
The Mets' reputation as a rowdy bunch was punctuated on July 19 when Teufel, Ron Darling
, Bob Ojeda
, and Rick Aguilera
were arrested after a bar fight with off-duty police officers in Houston, Texas
. Teufel was fined $200 for his part and none of the four missed any playing time, though this incident did help fuel some rivalry between the Mets and their impending 1986 National League Championship Series
competitors, the Houston Astros
. Teufel managed just one hit and no RBI against the Astros in the Championship Series won by the Mets in six games.
In game one of the 1986 World Series against the Boston Red Sox
, the Mets suffered a fate eerily similar to that which they suffered in game one of the against the Oakland Athletics
, in which the usually sure handed Felix Millan
committed a third inning error
that lead to both of Oakland's runs in their 2-1 victory over the Mets. With a runner on second and one out, Rich Gedman
hit a ground ball to Teufel at second which Teufel misplayed, allowing the runner to score. Boston held on for the 1-0 victory.
He hit a home run in Game five of the Series, but the Mets lost that game. For the series, Teufel batted .444 with four hits in nine at bats. The home run was the only postseason RBI and run scored of Teufel's career.
was Teufel's best season statistically as he tied his 1984 home run and RBI highs despite playing in only 97 games. His .308 batting average, .398 on-base percentage and .545 slugging percentage were career-highs. He was given the chance to play every day in , but spent all of April below .200 and missed three weeks from mid-May with an injury causing the platoon to be reinstated.
After a poor second half, Teufel was used in just one game in the 1988 NLCS
. In , hot prospect Gregg Jefferies
was given most of the time at second base and Teufel spent half of his time at first base
. His playing time further decreased in as he played in career-lows of 80 games with 175 at-bats while shifting between first, second and third base
.
for Garry Templeton
, who retired after the season. Teufel hit between .220 and .250 in all three seasons with San Diego while continuing to play at all three bases defensively. On April 14, , he went 5-for-5 for the second time in his career but the Padres lost the game on their way to a 101-loss season. Teufel was granted free agency
and retired after the 1993 season.
for the 2012 season
.
Teufel returned to the Mets as a roving instructor for and . He was named the manager
of the Mets' Rookie-level minor league
Brooklyn Cyclones
for and was promoted to the Single-A St. Lucie Mets
for and .
After the two seasons near .500, the Mets announced Teufel was being replaced by new Baseball Hall of Fame member
, Gary Carter
, for . Teufel decided to take a break from baseball for the year.
He was named manager of the Savannah Sand Gnats
on January 11, , and was a Mets' representative at the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft
. He returned as St. Lucie's manager in 2008 and 2009. In 2010, in his first season managing the Double-A Binghamton Mets
, he led the team to a 66-76 record and a fifth-place finish in the Eastern League. He was named manager of the Buffalo Bisons
in January 2010. In 2011 he was named manager of Leones del Caracas
in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League
.
for bogus profits he received from the Madoff scam. His son, Shawn, is a pitcher
in the Detroit Tigers
' organization.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
second baseman
Second baseman
Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
, and currently the 3rd base coach for the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
.
Teufel was a member of the World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
champion New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
. Throughout his career, Teufel was also known for his batting stance, the "Teufel shuffle," in which he wiggled his buttocks back and forth before the pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
's delivery.
Early life
Teufel attended St. Mary's High School in Greenwich, ConnecticutGreenwich, Connecticut
Greenwich is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. As of the 2010 census, the town had a total population of 61,171. It is home to many hedge funds and other financial service companies. Greenwich is the southernmost and westernmost municipality in Connecticut and is 38+ minutes ...
, and Clemson University
Clemson University
Clemson University is an American public, coeducational, land-grant, sea-grant, research university located in Clemson, South Carolina, United States....
in South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
. At age 19, he was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
in the sixteenth round of the 1978 Major League Baseball Draft
1978 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1978 Major League Baseball draft.- Background :In 1978, four players made the jump from amateur baseball to the major leagues, including Arizona State third baseman Bob Horner, who was selected number one overall by the Atlanta...
, but did not sign. Teufel was drafted by the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
in the third round of the secondary phase of the 1979 Major League Baseball Draft
1979 Major League Baseball Draft
The 1979 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft was held on June 5-7, 1979, via conference call.-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1979 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :...
, but again did not sign. In the 1980 Major League Baseball Draft
1980 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1980 Major League Baseball draft.- Compensation Picks :*William Erickson, was drafted in the second round by the San Francisco Giants, 31st pick overall. *Jeff Horne was drafted in the second round by the Pittsburgh Pirates,...
, Teufel was drafted in the second round and signed with the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
.
Minnesota Twins
Teufel spent all of and with the Double-A Orlando Twins. He raised his average to .282 in earning a mid-season promotion to the Triple-A Toledo Mud HensToledo Mud Hens
The Toledo Mud Hens are a minor league baseball team located in Toledo, Ohio. The Mud Hens play in the International League, and are affiliated with the major league baseball team the Detroit Tigers, based approximately 50 miles to the north of Toledo. The current team is one of several...
. In , Teufel lit up the International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
with a .323 batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
, 1.022 OPS
On-base plus slugging
On-base plus slugging is a sabermetric baseball statistic calculated as the sum of a player's on-base percentage and slugging percentage. The ability of a player to both get on base and to hit for power, two important hitting skills, are represented. An OPS of .900 or higher in Major League...
, 27 home runs and 100 runs batted in resulting in a September call-up to the major leagues. He made his major league debut on September 3 in 13-0 drubbing at the hands of Scott McGregor and the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
.
Teufel went 2-for-4 and score two runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
to help the last place Twins snap a five game losing streak on September 6. On September 16, Teufel led off the game by hitting his first major league home run off Jim Gott
Jim Gott
James William Gott , is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the major leagues from 1982-1995.Fourth round pick, June draft, of St. Louis Cardinals in 1977....
of the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
. His second career home run came in the eighth inning of the same game. In all, Teufel went 5-for-5 with two home runs and five runs scored in arguably the best offensive game of his career. By the end of the season, the Twins surpassed the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
to avoid a last place finish.
The following season, Teufel snatched the starting second base job away from former Rookie of the Year John Castino
John Castino
John Anthony Castino is a former Major League Baseball player. Castino played as an infielder, primarily at third base and second base, with the Minnesota Twins from 1979 through 1984.-Professional career:...
. In his rookie
Rookie
Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of their sport or has little or no professional experience. The term also has the more general meaning of anyone new to a profession, training or activity Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of...
season, Teufel had 149 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
, 30 doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, fourteen home runs, 61 RBIs and provided solid defense at second base for the Twins. The Twins improved to 81-81 in , which was good enough for a second place finish in the American League West
American League West
The American League West is one of three divisions in Major League Baseball's American League. The division currently has four teams, but it has had as many as seven teams before the 1994 realignment. Although its teams currently only reside along the west coast and in Texas, historically the...
. Teufel finished fourth behind Alvin Davis
Alvin Davis
Alvin Glenn Davis , nicknamed "Mr. Mariner", is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and designated hitter. Davis played his career primarily for the Seattle Mariners...
, Mark Langston
Mark Langston
Mark Edward Langston is an American former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He pitched for the Seattle Mariners , Montreal Expos , California and Anaheim Angels , San Diego Padres , and Cleveland Indians...
and teammate Kirby Puckett
Kirby Puckett
Kirby Puckett was a Major League Baseball center fielder. He played his entire 12-year baseball career with the Minnesota Twins and he is the Twins franchise's all-time leader in career hits, runs, doubles, and total bases...
in American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
Rookie of the Year balloting.
The Twins fell back into fifth place in . Following the season, Teufel was traded with minor leaguer Pat Crosby to the New York Mets for Billy Beane
Billy Beane
William Lamar "Billy" Beane III is a former Major League Baseball player and the current general manager and minority owner of the Oakland Athletics...
, Bill Latham
Bill Latham
William Carol Latham is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched parts of two seasons in the majors, appearing in 7 games for the New York Mets in and 7 games for the Minnesota Twins in . In he joined the scouting staff of the Los Angeles Dodgers after six years as a professional scout...
and Joe Klink
Joe Klink
Joseph Charles Klink , is a retired professional baseball player who pitched in Major League Baseball from -. Klink once went 90 consecutive games without allowing a home run, the longest by a left-handed pitcher since at least and possibly the longest such streak of all time.-External links:...
.
New York Mets
Although Teufel had hit far better against right-handed pitchers in 1985, he was used mainly against left-handedLeft-handed
Left-handedness is the preference for the left hand over the right for everyday activities such as writing. In ancient times it was seen as a sign of the devil, and was abhorred in many cultures...
pitchers in a platoon system
Platoon system
The platoon system in baseball is a method of designating two players to a single defensive position—usually one right-handed and one left-handed. Typically the right-handed half of the platoon is played on days when the opposing pitcher is left-handed and the left-handed player is played otherwise...
with New York. Splitting time with Wally Backman
Wally Backman
Walter Wayne Backman is a former Major League Baseball second baseman. He is best known for his time with the New York Mets from - and was a member of their 1986 World Series-winning team...
, Teufel started quickly in with a go-ahead 14th inning single
Single (baseball)
In baseball, a single is the most common type of base hit, accomplished through the act of a batter safely reaching first base by hitting a fair ball and getting to first base before a fielder puts him out...
in his first game with the Mets (although they lost in the bottom half of the inning). His average stayed around .220 into June. On June 10, Teufel had one of the most exciting moments in the Mets championship season with a walk-off
Walk-off home run
In baseball, a walk-off home run is a home run that ends the game. It must be a home run that gives the home team the lead in the bottom of the final inning of the game—either the ninth inning, or any extra inning, or any other regularly scheduled final inning...
pinch-hit
Pinch hitter
In baseball, a pinch hitter is a substitute batter. Batters can be substituted at any time while the ball is dead ; the manager may use any player that has not yet entered the game as a substitute...
grand slam
Grand slam (baseball)
In the sport of baseball, a grand slam is a home run hit with all three bases occupied by baserunners , thereby scoring four runs—the most possible in one play. According to The Dickson Baseball Dictionary, the term originated in the card game of contract bridge, in which a grand slam involves...
in the bottom of the 11th inning against the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
.
The Mets' reputation as a rowdy bunch was punctuated on July 19 when Teufel, Ron Darling
Ron Darling
Ronald Maurice Darling, Jr. is an American former right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Mets, Oakland Athletics and Montreal Expos...
, Bob Ojeda
Bob Ojeda
Robert Michael Ojeda is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. Ojeda is best remembered as an anchor in the 1986 World Series Champion New York Mets starting rotation , and for being the lone survivor of a March 22, boating accident that killed fellow Cleveland Indians pitchers...
, and Rick Aguilera
Rick Aguilera
Richard Warren Aguilera is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. During a 16-year baseball career, he pitched from 1985-2000 for the New York Mets, Minnesota Twins, Boston Red Sox, and Chicago Cubs....
were arrested after a bar fight with off-duty police officers in Houston, Texas
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
. Teufel was fined $200 for his part and none of the four missed any playing time, though this incident did help fuel some rivalry between the Mets and their impending 1986 National League Championship Series
1986 National League Championship Series
-Game 1:Wednesday, October 8, 1986 at Astrodome in Houston, TexasGame 1 featured a pitching duel between eventual NLCS Most Valuable Player Mike Scott and Dwight Gooden. Scott allowed just five hits and walked one while striking out 14 in a complete-game effort as the host Astros prevailed 1–0...
competitors, the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
. Teufel managed just one hit and no RBI against the Astros in the Championship Series won by the Mets in six games.
In game one of the 1986 World Series against the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
, the Mets suffered a fate eerily similar to that which they suffered in game one of the against the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
, in which the usually sure handed Felix Millan
Félix Millán
Félix Bernardo Millán Martínez is a former second baseman in Major League Baseball.-Baseball career:Millán, nicknamed "The Kitten" , born in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico, made his major league debut on June 2, 1966 with the Atlanta Braves, and played for Atlanta until 1973. Millan was primarily a second...
committed a third inning error
Error (baseball)
In baseball statistics, an error is the act, in the judgment of the official scorer, of a fielder misplaying a ball in a manner that allows a batter or baserunner to reach one or more additional bases, when such an advance would have been prevented given ordinary effort by the fielder.The term ...
that lead to both of Oakland's runs in their 2-1 victory over the Mets. With a runner on second and one out, Rich Gedman
Rich Gedman
Richard Leo Gedman is a former Major League Baseball catcher and left-handed batter who played with the Boston Red Sox , Houston Astros and St...
hit a ground ball to Teufel at second which Teufel misplayed, allowing the runner to score. Boston held on for the 1-0 victory.
He hit a home run in Game five of the Series, but the Mets lost that game. For the series, Teufel batted .444 with four hits in nine at bats. The home run was the only postseason RBI and run scored of Teufel's career.
was Teufel's best season statistically as he tied his 1984 home run and RBI highs despite playing in only 97 games. His .308 batting average, .398 on-base percentage and .545 slugging percentage were career-highs. He was given the chance to play every day in , but spent all of April below .200 and missed three weeks from mid-May with an injury causing the platoon to be reinstated.
After a poor second half, Teufel was used in just one game in the 1988 NLCS
1988 National League Championship Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 4, 1988 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CaliforniaThe series opened with a classic pitching matchup, pitting the Dodgers' Orel Hershiser, who had won 23 games during the regular season and carried a Major League record 59 consecutive scoreless innings into the game,...
. In , hot prospect Gregg Jefferies
Gregg Jefferies
Gregory Scott "Gregg" Jefferies is a retired infielder/outfielder in Major League Baseball who had a 14-year career from 1987 to 2000.-New York Mets:...
was given most of the time at second base and Teufel spent half of his time at first base
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
. His playing time further decreased in as he played in career-lows of 80 games with 175 at-bats while shifting between first, second and third base
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
.
San Diego Padres
Teufel's average was at a paltry .118 on May 31 when the Mets traded him to the San Diego PadresSan Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
for Garry Templeton
Garry Templeton
Garry Lewis Templeton, nicknamed "Jumpsteady", is a former shortstop in Major League Baseball who played for the St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres, and New York Mets from 1976 to 1991...
, who retired after the season. Teufel hit between .220 and .250 in all three seasons with San Diego while continuing to play at all three bases defensively. On April 14, , he went 5-for-5 for the second time in his career but the Padres lost the game on their way to a 101-loss season. Teufel was granted free agency
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
and retired after the 1993 season.
Coaching Career
Tim was hired by the Mets to be the 3rd base coach replacing former coach Chip HaleChip Hale
Walter William "Chip" Hale is an American former Major League Baseball second baseman and third baseman and current coach for the Oakland Athletics...
for the 2012 season
2012 New York Mets season
The New York Mets' 2012 season will be the franchise's 50th season and its fourth at Citi Field.-Offseason:Shortly after the 2011 season ended, the Mets made changes to their coaching staff, keeping only pitching coach Dan Warthen and hitting coach Dave Hudgens. Bench coach Chip Hale went to the...
.
Teufel returned to the Mets as a roving instructor for and . He was named the manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
of the Mets' Rookie-level minor league
Minor league
Minor leagues are professional sports leagues which are not regarded as the premier leagues in those sports. Minor league teams tend to play in smaller, less elaborate venues, often competing in smaller cities. This term is used in North America with regard to several organizations competing in...
Brooklyn Cyclones
Brooklyn Cyclones
The Brooklyn Cyclones is a minor league baseball team in the Short-Season A classification New York - Penn League, affiliated with the New York Mets. The Cyclones play at MCU Park just off the Coney Island boardwalk in the New York City borough of Brooklyn....
for and was promoted to the Single-A St. Lucie Mets
St. Lucie Mets
The St. Lucie Mets are a minor league baseball team based in Port St. Lucie, Florida.The team, which plays in the Florida State League, is the High-A affiliate of the New York Mets major-league club.The team plays at Digital Domain Park...
for and .
After the two seasons near .500, the Mets announced Teufel was being replaced by new Baseball Hall of Fame member
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is an American history museum and hall of fame, located at 25 Main Street in Cooperstown, New York, operated by private interests serving as the central point for the study of the history of baseball in the United States and beyond, the display of...
, Gary Carter
Gary Carter
Gary Edmund Carter , nicknamed "Kid" and "Kid Carter", is an American former Major League Baseball catcher. During a 19-year baseball career, mostly with the Montreal Expos and the New York Mets, Carter established himself as one of the premier catchers in the National League, winning three Gold...
, for . Teufel decided to take a break from baseball for the year.
He was named manager of the Savannah Sand Gnats
Savannah Sand Gnats
The Savannah Sand Gnats are a minor league baseball team in Savannah, Georgia and are a member of the A-level South Atlantic League. Since the 2007 season, the Sand Gnats have been an affiliate of the New York Mets.-History:...
on January 11, , and was a Mets' representative at the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft
2008 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2008 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft continued Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft of high school and college baseball players, and was held on June 5 and 6, 2008.-First round selections:* Did not sign...
. He returned as St. Lucie's manager in 2008 and 2009. In 2010, in his first season managing the Double-A Binghamton Mets
Binghamton Mets
The Binghamton Mets are a U.S. minor league baseball team based in Binghamton, New York. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the New York Mets major-league club...
, he led the team to a 66-76 record and a fifth-place finish in the Eastern League. He was named manager of the Buffalo Bisons
Buffalo Bisons
The Buffalo Bisons are a minor league baseball team based in Buffalo, New York. They currently play in the International League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets...
in January 2010. In 2011 he was named manager of Leones del Caracas
Leones del Caracas
The Leones del Caracas is a Venezuelan baseball team that plays in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Since its inception, the team has played in the Estadio Universitario in Caracas...
in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League
Venezuelan Professional Baseball League
The Venezuelan Professional Baseball League or Liga Venezolana de Béisbol Profesional is the highest level baseball league in Venezuela.-Brief history:Baseball exploded in Venezuela in 1941, following the world championship in Havana....
.
Personal Life
In December, 2010, Teufel was sued for $1.2 million by Irving PicardIrving Picard
Irving H. Picard is a partner in the law firm Baker Hostetler. He graduated from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, with a B.S. degree , from Boston University School of Law with a J.D. degree , and from the New York University School of Law with an LL.M. degree in 1967, and was...
for bogus profits he received from the Madoff scam. His son, Shawn, is a pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
in the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
' organization.