Salvatore Philip Butera (born September 25, 1952 in Richmond Hill, Queens, New York) is a former professional baseball catcher who played for the Twins, Tigers, Expos and Reds in a nine year career. Signed by the Minnesota Twins as an amateur free agent in 1972, Butera made his major league debut in an extra innings game against the Oakland Athletics on April 10, 1980. Butera remained with the Twins as Butch Wynegar's back-up until Spring training 1983.

Sal was a member of the Twins team that defeated the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1987 World Series (see 00:10:24). The 1987 team featured Sal, Frank Viola, Gary Gaetti, Greg Gagne, Steve Lombardozzi, Along with teammate Lombardozzi, Sal was featured in a widely publicized photo with President Ronald Reagan celebrating the victory at the White House.

After retiring, Butera was the video replay and catching coach for the Toronto Blue Jays during the 2014 season and he became a major league scout in 2015. Sal was inducted into the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame on Long Island in the Baseball Category with the Class of 2002. He was a coach for the Italian team in the 2017 World Baseball Classic.

Sal's and his wife have a son, Drew, born August 9, 1983, who also played for the Minnesota Twins during his baseball career.

(excerpted from Baseball Almanac, BR Bullpen & Wikipedia)