Bill Stumpf (baseball)
Encyclopedia
William Frederick Stumpf (March 21, 1892 – February 14, 1966) was an infielder
in Major League Baseball
. He played two seasons for the New York Yankees
and subsequently spent several years in the minor leagues. Stumpf was 6 feet tall and weighed 175 pounds.
, in 1892. He started his professional baseball career in 1912 with the American League
's New York Yankees. That season, he appeared in 42 games, mostly at shortstop
, and had a batting average
of .240. The following year, he batted .207 in 12 games before being traded to the Cleveland Naps
in May. Stumpf never played in the majors again. He finished the 1913 season with the American Association
's Toledo Mud Hens
.
After one more campaign in the American Association, Stumpf played for the Pacific Coast League
's Portland Beavers
in 1915 and 1916. In 1916, he appeared in only 75 games and spent most of the season in hospital with a knee injury. It was uncertain whether he would be able to continue playing baseball afterwards. However, Stumpf did return to the game in 1917. He played in the Pacific Coast League and the Northwestern League
and led the Northwestern League with a .405 batting average.
Stumpf was then acquired by the National League
's Pittsburgh Pirates
. He was unable to earn a roster spot with the team, however, and was given his release in April 1918. He did not play in professional baseball that year. The following season, Stumpf was back in the Pacific Coast League, where he played until 1923. His career ended in the Texas League
in 1925.
During his 12-year professional baseball career, Stumpf collected 1,477 hits
(37 in the major leagues and 1,440 in the minor leagues). He died in Crownsville, Maryland
, in 1966.
Infielder
An infielder is a baseball player stationed at one of four defensive "infield" positions on the baseball field.-Standard arrangement of positions:In a game of baseball, two teams of nine players take turns playing offensive and defensive roles...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. He played two seasons for the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
and subsequently spent several years in the minor leagues. Stumpf was 6 feet tall and weighed 175 pounds.
Career
Stumpf was born in Baltimore, MarylandBaltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
, in 1892. He started his professional baseball career in 1912 with the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
's New York Yankees. That season, he appeared in 42 games, mostly at shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
, and had a batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
of .240. The following year, he batted .207 in 12 games before being traded to the Cleveland Naps
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
in May. Stumpf never played in the majors again. He finished the 1913 season with the American Association
American Association (20th century)
The American Association was a minor league baseball league at the Triple-A level of baseball in the United States from to and to . Together with the International League, it contested the Junior World Series which determined the championship team in minor league baseball, at least for the...
's Toledo Mud Hens
Toledo Mud Hens
The Toledo Mud Hens are a minor league baseball team located in Toledo, Ohio. The Mud Hens play in the International League, and are affiliated with the major league baseball team the Detroit Tigers, based approximately 50 miles to the north of Toledo. The current team is one of several...
.
After one more campaign in the American Association, Stumpf played for the Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
's Portland Beavers
Portland Beavers
The Tucson Padres are a minor league baseball team, representing Tucson, Arizona, in the Pacific Coast League . They are the Triple-A affiliate for the San Diego Padres. The team was formerly known as the Portland Beavers and played its last home game at PGE Park on September 6, 2010...
in 1915 and 1916. In 1916, he appeared in only 75 games and spent most of the season in hospital with a knee injury. It was uncertain whether he would be able to continue playing baseball afterwards. However, Stumpf did return to the game in 1917. He played in the Pacific Coast League and the Northwestern League
Northwestern League (1905–1917)
The Northwestern League was a professional, minor baseball league that lasted from 1905 to 1917. It was represented by teams based in Washington, Montana, Oregon and British Columbia.-Teams:21 teams played in the league throughout its existence...
and led the Northwestern League with a .405 batting average.
Stumpf was then acquired by the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
's Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
. He was unable to earn a roster spot with the team, however, and was given his release in April 1918. He did not play in professional baseball that year. The following season, Stumpf was back in the Pacific Coast League, where he played until 1923. His career ended in the Texas League
Texas League
The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
in 1925.
During his 12-year professional baseball career, Stumpf collected 1,477 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
(37 in the major leagues and 1,440 in the minor leagues). He died in Crownsville, Maryland
Crownsville, Maryland
Crownsville is a census-designated place in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States. The population was 1,670 at the 2000 census. It hosts the Anne Arundel County Fair each September, as well as the annual Maryland Renaissance Festival for several summer weekends. A state psychiatric hospital...
, in 1966.