Steelman was born in Millville, New Jersey. He started his professional baseball career in 1895 with his hometown team, which played in the South New Jersey League. The following season, he moved to York of the Pennsylvania State League and batted .277 in 12 games. Steelman then played in the Atlantic League in 1897. In 1898, he started the season in the Southern League, but when that circuit folded, he returned north to Norfolk.\n', '

For the next few seasons, Steelman split time between the Eastern League and the majors. He hit well for the Syracuse Stars in 1899 and made his MLB debut in September with the Louisville Colonels. Steelman went just 1 for 15 at Louisville. In January 1900, he was purchased by the Brooklyn Superbas. He apparently sat on the bench all season, appearing in just one game that October. He was the only rookie to play for Brooklyn in 1900.\n', '

Steelman was released by the Superbas in May 1901. He joined the Eastern League\'s Hartford Indians and batted .292 for them in 90 games. In August, he jumped to the Philadelphia Athletics of the new American League and batted .261 there. Steelman started off slow in 1902 and returned to the minors. He played his last Major League game on May 22.\n', '

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