Schutzenhofer, often referred to as “Shooter,” began his long playing career as a shortstop for Belleville West High School from 1965 to 1967. He was a shortstop and second baseman for the Belleville Hilgards Post 58 team from 1966 to 1968. He is in the Belleville Hilgards American Legion Hall of Fame.
In 1968 and 1969, he played shortstop for Belleville Area College. In 1970 and 1971, he played second base for SIU-Edwardsville. He coached the team as a graduate assistant from 1972 to 1974.
Schutzenhofer was a second baseman for Millstadt in the Mon-Clair League from 1968 to 1985. He was on numerous championship teams. In 2014, he was inducted into the Mon-Clair Baseball League Hall of Fame.
Although he was an infielder during his playing career, Schutzenhofer became the batting practice pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals from 2000 to 2019. He was a full-time member of the Cardinal staff with the title “Coaching Assistant to Baseball Operations.” He wore a Cardinal uniform and traveled with the team. The name Schutzenhofer is the longest name to ever appear on the back of a Cardinal uniform.
Schutzenhofer spent over thirty years coaching baseball in the Belleville School District. He coached at both Belleville East and Belleville West High Schools. He coached his son Andy at Belleville East from 1996 to 1999. Their team advanced to the Illinois state tournament in 1996. Schutzenhofer was named High School Coach of the Year in 1996 and 1999. He received the St. Louis Sports Commission’s Redbird Award in 1996, 1999, and 2000. In 2006, he retired from teaching chemistry and coaching baseball in the Belleville School District. That’s when he became a full-time member of the Cardinal staff.
Schutzenhofer was the head coach of the Fairview Heights American Legion team from 1973 to 1977 and then again from 1990 to 2000. He was named the American Legion District 22 Coach of the Year in 1996 and 1999. He was an umpire from 1982 to 2008, working high school, college, American Legion, CICL, and Mon-Clair League games.
