Lee Stange
Encyclopedia
Albert Lee Stange is a former Major League Baseball
pitcher
. The right-hander was signed by the Washington Senators
as an amateur free agent before the 1957 season. He played for the Minnesota Twins
(1961–1964), Cleveland Indians
(1964–1966), Boston Red Sox
(1966–1970), and Chicago White Sox
(1970).
The majority of his 359 appearances were as a relief pitcher
, but he did start 125 games. In 1963, he was 12-5 and finished sixth in the American League
in earned run average
(2.62) and fifth in winning percentage
(.705). In 1967, he was 8-10, 2.77 for the pennant-winning "Impossible Dream" Red Sox, and pitched two scoreless innings in World Series
Game # 3 (October 7, 1967). He finished his career with a total of 62 wins, 61 losses, 32 complete games, 8 shutouts, 21 saves, 77 games finished
, 718 strikeouts and only 344 walks in 1216 innings pitched
, and an ERA
of 3.56.
Stange was later a pitching coach for the Boston Red Sox (1972–74, 1981–84), Minnesota Twins (1975), and Oakland Athletics
(1977–1979). He was a roving minor league pitching instructor in the Red Sox farm system in 1971, 1980 and 1985–94, and managed
Oakland's Triple-A Tucson Toros
farm club for the final weeks of the 1976 season.
Stange currently serves as the pitching coach for NCAA Division II Florida Tech.
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 right-hander was signed by the Washington Senators
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
as an amateur free agent before the 1957 season. He played for the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
(1961–1964), Cleveland Indians
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...
(1964–1966), 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"...
(1966–1970), and Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
(1970).
The majority of his 359 appearances were as a relief pitcher
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
, but he did start 125 games. In 1963, he was 12-5 and finished sixth in 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...
in 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...
(2.62) and fifth in winning percentage
Winning percentage
In sports, a winning percentage is the fraction of games or matches a team or individual has won. It is defined as wins divided by wins plus losses . Ties count as a ½ loss and a ½ win...
(.705). In 1967, he was 8-10, 2.77 for the pennant-winning "Impossible Dream" Red Sox, and pitched two scoreless innings in World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
Game # 3 (October 7, 1967). He finished his career with a total of 62 wins, 61 losses, 32 complete games, 8 shutouts, 21 saves, 77 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...
, 718 strikeouts and only 344 walks in 1216 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...
, and an ERA
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...
of 3.56.
Stange was later a pitching coach for the Boston Red Sox (1972–74, 1981–84), Minnesota Twins (1975), and Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
(1977–1979). He was a roving minor league pitching instructor in the Red Sox farm system in 1971, 1980 and 1985–94, and managed
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
Oakland's Triple-A Tucson Toros
Tucson Toros
The Tucson Toros are a professional baseball team based in Tucson, Arizona, in the United States. They are owned by Tucson Baseball, LLC with Jay Zucker as chairman of the board. Sean Smock is the team's general manager....
farm club for the final weeks of the 1976 season.
Stange currently serves as the pitching coach for NCAA Division II Florida Tech.