John Seifert
2021 Hall of Fame Inductee
Chaska, MN
Chaska, MN

John’s interest in baseball began at an early age while playing catch with his brother Jerry between farm chores. At the age of 12, he played for the St. Benedict B team. From 1958-1961, he was Jordan High School’s catcher. After high school, Mankato State College recruited John to play basketball, but he spent his summers catching for the Jordan Brewers.
In 1967, John was drafted into the Army and assigned to a base in Germany. He was invited to try out for a battalion team and earned a spot as a pitcher. With a 10-1 record, John’s sergeant contacted a scout he knew from the Dodgers. After watching John throw a bullpen session, the scout offered him a contract on the spot. John signed and was eventually sent to the Florida State League as a reliever. He pitched two years in the Dodgers organization at the A and AA levels and retired with a 7-3 record.
He returned to amateur baseball as a player/manager for the Jordan Brewers for two years and was drafted by St. Peter and Chaska in consecutive years to play in the State Tournament.
John and his wife, Susan, then moved to Chaska with John becoming involved with their baseball program. This began a 40+ year run of coaching Chaska’s youth, legion and amateur baseball programs. He managed the Chaska Cubs from 1995-2013, guiding them to the state tournament in 15 of those years. They were State Class B runners-up in 1998 and 2002. In 2007, John was selected to be one of the coaches in the first CCL- DRS All-Star game. He eventually slid over to coaching first base after retiring as manager and continues to work with young players. Over the years, many of these players have gone on to play college and professional baseball, including his son Ryan.
John has spent countless hours mowing the field at Chaska and making sure all is ready for the next game. His commitment to the community and the support of his family is what helps keep him dedicated to the game he loves.
In 1967, John was drafted into the Army and assigned to a base in Germany. He was invited to try out for a battalion team and earned a spot as a pitcher. With a 10-1 record, John’s sergeant contacted a scout he knew from the Dodgers. After watching John throw a bullpen session, the scout offered him a contract on the spot. John signed and was eventually sent to the Florida State League as a reliever. He pitched two years in the Dodgers organization at the A and AA levels and retired with a 7-3 record.
He returned to amateur baseball as a player/manager for the Jordan Brewers for two years and was drafted by St. Peter and Chaska in consecutive years to play in the State Tournament.
John and his wife, Susan, then moved to Chaska with John becoming involved with their baseball program. This began a 40+ year run of coaching Chaska’s youth, legion and amateur baseball programs. He managed the Chaska Cubs from 1995-2013, guiding them to the state tournament in 15 of those years. They were State Class B runners-up in 1998 and 2002. In 2007, John was selected to be one of the coaches in the first CCL- DRS All-Star game. He eventually slid over to coaching first base after retiring as manager and continues to work with young players. Over the years, many of these players have gone on to play college and professional baseball, including his son Ryan.
John has spent countless hours mowing the field at Chaska and making sure all is ready for the next game. His commitment to the community and the support of his family is what helps keep him dedicated to the game he loves.