Baseball Coach Greg Thayer’s Death Marks the Loss of a Minnesota Twins Pitcher and Community Leader

Thayer’s death reunites him with his late wife, Christine, as he leaves behind a devoted family.

December 16, 2026

This article was last updated by Alisha Shrestha on December 16, 2026

Greg Thayer’s death has deeply saddened the Sauk Rapids community and the many athletes, friends, and family members whose lives he touched.

Gregory A. Thayer, a former Major League Baseball pitcher, collegiate Hall of Famer, and longtime coach, died on Friday, December 12, 2026, at CentraCare – St. Cloud Hospital. He was 76.

Born on October 23, 1949, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Greg Thayer displayed exceptional athletic talent from a young age.

After from St. Cloud Tech High School in 1968, where he excelled in multiple sports, he earned a football scholarship to St. Cloud State University.

There, he established himself as one of the most accomplished dual-sport athletes in school history.

At St. Cloud State, Thayer starred as both a quarterback and a baseball player.

He earned the John Weiner Award as Outstanding Freshman Football Player, helped lead the Huskies to a conference football championship in 1970, and pitched the baseball team to three conference titles.

His achievements later earned him induction into the St. Cloud State University Hall of Fame.

Greg Thayer’s journey to professional baseball required patience and perseverance.

The San Francisco Giants selected him in the 32nd round of the 1971 MLB Draft, and he spent several seasons pitching in the minor leagues.

After briefly stepping away from organized baseball and playing for an independent amateur team in Fargo, North Dakota, he caught the attention of the Minnesota Twins, who signed him in 1973.

Five years later, Thayer reached the pinnacle of his career. He made the Minnesota Twins’ Opening Day roster in 1978 and pitched in 20 games that season, including the final three innings of Opening Day against the Seattle Mariners.

He finished his lone major league season with a 1–1 record and a 3.80 ERA.

Over nine professional seasons, he played for multiple organizations, including the Twins and Toronto Blue Jays, before retiring from professional baseball.

Following his playing career, Thayer returned home and devoted himself to the Sauk Rapids sports community.

He coached baseball for many years, including at Sauk Rapids–Rice High School, where he mentored hundreds of young athletes.

Those who knew him remember him as calm, positive, and endlessly supportive, both on and off the field.

Beyond sports, Greg cherished his family, friends, and time outdoors.

He loved fishing and bird hunting and rarely missed an opportunity to cheer on his children and grandchildren at sporting and music events.

His son, Andy Thayer, described him as “the friendliest, most positive person you could ever hope to meet” and a loyal family man who always believed in his children.

Greg Thayer married Christine Fuchs on October 16, 1976, at St. Mary’s Cathedral in St. Cloud.

He now reunites with her in death, along with his parents, Duane and Helen Thayer, who preceded him.

He leaves behind his son, Andy (RaeAnne) Thayer of Golden Valley; his daughter, Stephanie (Paul) Schlangen of Sauk Rapids; his grandsons, Frederick and Walter Schlangen; and his brother, Jeff (Kathy) Thayer of Spring Lake Park.

Memorial for Greg Thayer will take place at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 19, 2026, at Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home in Sauk Rapids, with visitation from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Chaplain James Neppl will officiate, and burial will occur at a later date at North Star Cemetery in St. Cloud.

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