Earl Stephenson
Encyclopedia
Chester Earl Stephenson is a former Major League Baseball
pitcher
. The left-hander was drafted by the Chicago Cubs
in the 3rd round of the 1967 amateur draft and played for the Cubs (1971), Milwaukee Brewers
(1972), and Baltimore Orioles
(1977–1978).
Stephenson made his major league debut in relief on April 7, 1971 against the St. Louis Cardinals
. He pitched a scoreless sixth and seventh in a 14-3 loss at Wrigley Field
. He earned his first and only save
seventeen days later against the New York Mets
, hurling 2.1 scoreless innings
in a 7-5 home victory.
He got his first big league win on May 16, 1971. In the first game of a home doubleheader
vs. the San Diego Padres
Stephenson entered the 7-7 contest in the top of the 10th and gave up a run
, but the Cubs bailed him out with two runs in the bottom of the inning, thanks to a 2-run walk-off homer
by Jim Hickman.
Stephenson's best year in the majors was 1972 when he spent the entire season with the Milwaukee Brewers. He got into 35 games, most in relief, and was 3-5 with a 3.25 earned run average
. In his other three big league years he spent the majority of the seasons in the minor leagues.
One highlight of the '72 season occurred at County Stadium when he earned his first win as a starting pitcher
, hurling seven scoreless innings in a 2-0 victory over the Boston Red Sox
in game one of a June 25 doubleheader. Another great start for Stephenson, even though he lost, was ten days later at Anaheim Stadium. His pitching opponent was future Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan
of the California Angels
. They were locked in a 0-0 game for eight innings, but the Angels scored a run with two out in the bottom of the 9th for a 1-0 win. (walk-off single
by Winston Llenas
)
Career totals for 54 games pitched
include a 4-5 record, 8 games started
, 1 complete game
, 13 games finished
, and 1 save. He allowed 45 earned runs in 113.1 innings pitched
for an ERA of 3.57, struck out
50, and walked 49. Stephenson was a good defensive pitcher but a poor hitter. He handled 24 out of 25 chances
successfully for a fielding percentage
of .960, but went 0-for-20 (.000) at the plate with 13 strikeouts.
He played for the Bradenton Explorers
of the US
Senior Professional Baseball Association
in 1989.
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...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
. The left-hander was drafted by the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
in the 3rd round of the 1967 amateur draft and played for the Cubs (1971), Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
(1972), and Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
(1977–1978).
Stephenson made his major league debut in relief on April 7, 1971 against the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
. He pitched a scoreless sixth and seventh in a 14-3 loss at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales...
. He earned his first and only save
Save (sport)
In baseball, a save is credited to a pitcher who finishes a game for the winning team under certain prescribed circumstances. The number of saves, or percentage of save opportunities successfully converted, is an oft-cited statistic of relief pitchers...
seventeen days later against the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
, hurling 2.1 scoreless innings
Innings
An inning, or innings, is a fixed-length segment of a game in any of a variety of sports – most notably cricket and baseball during which one team attempts to score while the other team attempts to prevent the first from scoring. In cricket, the term innings is both singular and plural and is...
in a 7-5 home victory.
He got his first big league win on May 16, 1971. In the first game of a home doubleheader
Doubleheader (baseball)
A doubleheader is a set of two baseball games played between the same two teams on the same day in front of the same crowd. In addition, the term is often used unofficially to refer to a pair of games played by a team in a single day, but in front of different crowds and not in immediate...
vs. the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
Stephenson entered the 7-7 contest in the top of the 10th and gave up a run
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
, but the Cubs bailed him out with two runs in the bottom of the inning, thanks to a 2-run walk-off homer
Walk-off home run
In baseball, a walk-off home run is a home run that ends the game. It must be a home run that gives the home team the lead in the bottom of the final inning of the game—either the ninth inning, or any extra inning, or any other regularly scheduled final inning...
by Jim Hickman.
Stephenson's best year in the majors was 1972 when he spent the entire season with the Milwaukee Brewers. He got into 35 games, most in relief, and was 3-5 with a 3.25 earned run average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
. In his other three big league years he spent the majority of the seasons in the minor leagues.
One highlight of the '72 season occurred at County Stadium when he earned his first win as a starting pitcher
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
, hurling seven scoreless innings in a 2-0 victory over the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
in game one of a June 25 doubleheader. Another great start for Stephenson, even though he lost, was ten days later at Anaheim Stadium. His pitching opponent was future Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan
Nolan Ryan
Lynn Nolan Ryan, Jr. , nicknamed "The Ryan Express", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He is currently principal owner, president and CEO of the Texas Rangers....
of the California Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
. They were locked in a 0-0 game for eight innings, but the Angels scored a run with two out in the bottom of the 9th for a 1-0 win. (walk-off single
Single (baseball)
In baseball, a single is the most common type of base hit, accomplished through the act of a batter safely reaching first base by hitting a fair ball and getting to first base before a fielder puts him out...
by Winston Llenas
Winston Llenas
Winston Enriquillo Llenas Davila ' is a former Major League Baseball infielder/outfielder who played for the California Angels from 1968 to 1969, and again from 1972 to 1975...
)
Career totals for 54 games pitched
Games pitched
In baseball statistics, games pitched is the number of games in which a player appears as a pitcher; a player who is announced as the pitcher must face at least one batter, although exceptions are made if the pitcher announced in the starting lineup is injured before facing a batter, perhaps while...
include a 4-5 record, 8 games started
Games started
In baseball statistics, games started indicates the number of games that a pitcher has started for his team. A pitcher is credited with starting the game if he faces the first opposing batter...
, 1 complete game
Complete game
In baseball, a complete game is the act of a pitcher pitching an entire game without the benefit of a relief pitcher.As demonstrated by the charts below, in the early 20th century, it was common for most good Major League Baseball pitchers to pitch a complete game almost every start. Pitchers were...
, 13 games finished
Games finished
In baseball statistics, a relief pitcher is credited with a game finished if he is the last pitcher to pitch for his team in a game. A starting pitcher is not credited with a GF for pitching a complete game...
, and 1 save. He allowed 45 earned runs in 113.1 innings pitched
Innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two...
for an ERA of 3.57, struck out
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
50, and walked 49. Stephenson was a good defensive pitcher but a poor hitter. He handled 24 out of 25 chances
Total chances
In baseball statistics, total chances , also called chances offered, represents the number of plays in which a defensive player has participated. It is calculated as follows: Total Chances = assists + putouts + errors. Chances accepted refers to the total of putouts and assists only. Fielding...
successfully for a fielding percentage
Fielding percentage
In baseball statistics, fielding percentage, also known as fielding average, is a measure that reflects the percentage of times a defensive player properly handles a batted or thrown ball...
of .960, but went 0-for-20 (.000) at the plate with 13 strikeouts.
He played for the Bradenton Explorers
Bradenton Explorers
The Bradenton Explorers were one of the eight original franchises that began play in the Senior Professional Baseball Association in . That season, the club complied a record of 38-34 and finished in second place in the league's Northern Division, narrowly holding off the Orlando Juice. Jim...
of the US
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Senior Professional Baseball Association
Senior Professional Baseball Association
The Senior Professional Baseball Association was a winter baseball league based in Florida for players age 35 and over . The league began play in 1989 and had eight teams in two divisions and a 72 game schedule...
in 1989.
Trivia
- Even though he pitched just 80.1 inningsInningsAn inning, or innings, is a fixed-length segment of a game in any of a variety of sports – most notably cricket and baseball during which one team attempts to score while the other team attempts to prevent the first from scoring. In cricket, the term innings is both singular and plural and is...
in 1972, Stephenson tied for tenth among American LeagueAmerican LeagueThe 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...
hurlers with 7 wild pitchWild pitchIn baseball, a wild pitch is charged against a pitcher when his pitch is too high, too short, or too wide of home plate for the catcher to control with ordinary effort, thereby allowing a baserunner, perhaps even the batter-runner on strike three or ball four, to advance.A wild pitch usually...
es. By contrast, it took the other seven pitchers who were tied with him for tenth an average of 177.2 innings to throw the same number of wild pitches. - He led the Pacific Coast LeaguePacific Coast LeagueThe 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...
with 53 pitching appearances in 1973 while playing for the Eugene EmeraldsEugene EmeraldsThe Eugene Emeralds is a minor league baseball team in Eugene, Oregon, United States. They are a short-season Class A team in the Northwest League, and have been a farm team of the San Diego Padres since 2001....
.