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For other people named William Stein (disambiguation), see William Stein (disambiguation) (disambiguation). Baseball player
Bill Stein
Infielder / Pinch hitter
Born: (1947-01-21) January 21, 1947 (age 78)
Battle Creek, Michigan
Batted: RightThrew: Right
debut
September 6, 1972, for the St. Louis Cardinals
Last appearance
October 6, 1985, for the Texas Rangers
Career statistics
Batting average.267
Home runs44
Runs batted in311
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams

William Allen "Bill" Stein (born January 21, 1947 in Battle Creek, Michigan) is a retired professional baseball player and manager. His playing career spanned 17 seasons, 14 of which were spent in Major League Baseball (MLB) with the St. Louis Cardinals (1972–73), Chicago White Sox (1974–76), Seattle Mariners (1977–1980), and the Texas Rangers (1981–85). Over his career in the majors, Stein batted .267 with 122 doubles, 18 triples, 44 home runs, and 311 runs batted in (RBIs) in 959 games played. Stein played numerous fielding positions over his major league career, including third base, second base, first base, left field, right field, and shortstop. As a player, Stein was listed at 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm), and weighed 170 pounds (77 kg).

Stein was drafted out of Southern Illinois University during the 1969 Major League Baseball Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals. He made his professional debut that season in their minor league organization that season. On September 6, 1972, Stein made his MLB debut with the Cardinals. During the 1973 season, St. Louis traded him to the California Angels, who just a few months later, traded him to the Chicago White Sox. Stein was selected by the Seattle Mariners from the White Sox in the 1976 Major League Baseball expansion draft. He came to his final team, the Texas Rangers, by way of free agency. After his playing career, Stein managed in the New York Mets minor league organization for four seasons (1988–1991). He managed the non-affiliated Bend Bucks in 1991, and joined the Clinton Giants in 1992, who were minor league affiliates of the San Francisco Giants at the time. He also managed the independent league Tyler WildCatters in 1994.

Early life

Stein was born on January 21, 1947 in Battle Creek, Michigan. Stein attended Brevard Community College when he was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles during the 33 round of the 1968 Major League Baseball Draft. Stein did not sign with the Orioles. He began attending Southern Illinois University in 1969. As a member of the school's baseball team, he batted .396 and was named an All-American by the American Baseball Coaches Association. Stein was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals during the fourth round of the 1969 Major League Baseball Draft.

Playing career

St. Louis Cardinals

In 1969, Stein began his professional baseball career in the St. Louis Cardinals minor league organization. The Cardinals assigned him to the Tulsa Oilers, who were their Triple-A affiliates at the time. With the Oilers, Stein batted .295 with 24 runs scored, 54 hits, 11 doubles, five triples, one home run, and 20 runs batted in (RBIs) in 62 games played. Defensively, Stein played 31 games at second base, 14 games at third base, and five games at shortstop. During the 1970 season, the Cardinals assigned Stein to the Double-A level to play with the Arkansas Travelers of the Texas League. In 114 games played that year, he batted .289 with 124 hits, 21 doubles, two triples, and eight home runs. In the field, Stein played second base, and outfield. In 1971, Stein was promoted to the Triple-A level. He spent the entire season with the Tulsa Oilers, where he batted .272 with 50 runs scored, 106 hits, 106 hits, 22 doubles, four triples, eight home runs, and 67 RBIs in 103 games played. Stein pitched a game that season, after Tulsa's starting pitcher was ejected from the game after throwing the ball at the umpire. where in six innings he gave-up eight hits and, three runs (all earned). He played the majority of the season in the outfield, but also spent limited time at third base, first base, and shortstop.

To start the 1972 season, Stein was a member of the Triple-A Tulsa Oilers. With Tulsa that year, he batted .278 with 100 hits, 26 doubles, four triples, five home runs, and 36 RBIs in 103 games played. Stein was a September call-up for the St. Louis cardinals that year. He made his debut in Major League Baseball (MLB) on September 6, 1972, against the Philadelphia Phillies. He got his first hit in that game, which was a home run in the ninth inning. He played 14 games in the majors that year, batting .314 with two runs scored, 11 hits, one triple, two home runs, and three RBIs. Defensively in the majors, he was positioned at third base, left field, and right field.

During spring training in 1973, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune labeled Stein as the Cardinals candidate for pinch hitting of the bench. He made the Cardinals Opening Day roster that year. He made his season debut on April 6, going hitless in one at-bat against the Pittsburgh Pirates. His first hit of the season came on April 17, against the Pirates. In August, Stein was sent down to the minor leagues and was replaced by outfielder Héctor Cruz. In the minors, he played with the Triple-A Tulsa Oilers, where he batted .289 with 23 hits, two doubles, one triple in 21 games played. While in the majors that season, Stein compiled a .218 batting average with four runs scored, 12 hits, two doubles, and two RBIs in 32 games played. On defense, he played right field, left field, third base, and first base.

Chicago White Sox

On September 25, Stein was traded by the St. Louis Cardinals to the California Angels in exchange for Jerry DaVanon. California then traded Stein to the Chicago White Sox on April 3, 1974, before he made an appearance in the Angels organization. In return, the White Sox sent Steve Blateric to California. Stein started the 1974 season in the White Sox minor league system with the Triple-A Iowa Oaks. In 135 games with Iowa, he batted .326 with 107 runs scored, 178 hits, 32 doubles, eight triples, 16 home runs, and 76 RBIs. Stein led the American Association in hits; was second in runs scored, plate appearances (594), at-bats (554), and doubles; and was tied for second in triples. He was called-up by Chicago in September. Stein made his season debut on September 13, against the California Angels, getting no hits in four at-bats. His first hit of the season came the day after, again against California. In the majors that year, Stein batted .276 with five runs scored, 12 hits, one double, and five RBIs in 13 games played.

Stein spend his first full season in the majors during the 1975 season. His season debut came on April 16, against the Texas Rangers, where in one at-bat he went hitless. In June, Stein was named the starting third baseman after Bill Melton, who was Chicago's regular third baseman, was benched for poor hitting. He would also play back-up for second baseman Jorge Orta. On July 20, in the second game of a doubleheader against the Milwaukee Brewers, Stein hit his first career grand slam. On the season, Stein batted .270 with 23 runs scored, 61 hits, seven doubles, one triple, three home runs, and 21 RBIs in 76 games played. In the field, he played 28 games at second base, 24 games at second base, and one game in left field. Stein also played 18 games that year at the designated hitter spot in the lineup.

Stein would play his final season with the Chicago White Sox in 1976. On August 17, in the first game of a doubleheader against the Boston Red Sox, he hit a game winning single in the ninth inning to score Pat Kelly. In August, it was noted by the United Press International that Stein was getting his first chance to start regularly in his major league career. During the season, he compiled a .268 batting average with 32 runs scored, 105 hits, 15 doubles, two triples, four home runs, and 36 RBIs in 117 games played. Stien played 58 games at second base, 58 games at third base, one game at first base, one game in right field, and one game at shortstop. He was also the designated hitter in one game during that season.

Seattle Mariners

"The only thing Darrell Johnson, the Mariners manager told me is to work at third base You get worn out if you just sit on the bench. I found it much easier to play everyday."

—The Associated Press interviewing Stein in March 1977 on the subject of his new team, the Mariners.

During the 1976 Major League Baseball expansion draft, Stein was chosen by the Seattle Mariners, who took him with their third pick. Stein stated he was "glad" that the Mariners drafted him, because he did not like playing at Comiskey Park, the home of his previous team, the Chicago White Sox. He was profiled by the Associated Press during spring training in 1977, and was interviewed about his new team and his unique versatility in the field. Stein mentioned to the reported that although he had played a wide verity of positions in the past, he hoped he would get a chance to be the Mariners starting third baseman. In a win against the Boston Red Sox on May 3, Stein hit two home runs in the same game. In June, Stein commented on how he liked playing everyday at the same position, which he was doing with the Mariners at third base. The Mariners manager, Darrell Johnson, Praised Stein for playing "good ball" with Seattle. On July 8, in a game against the Minnesota Twins, Stein had another two-home run performance, making it his second of the season. In early-September, Stein got hit in the shoulder by a baseball, which was later revealed to have caused a hairline fracture. With the Mariners that year, he batted .259 with 53 runs scored, 144 hits, 26 doubles, five triples, 13 home runs, and 67 RBIs in 151 games played. Defensively, the vast majority of his games (147) were played at third base, while he also played limited time at shortstop. He led the American League in putouts by a third baseman with 146. Stein was also fifth in the league in defensive games at third base.

Before the start of the 1978 season, Stein re-signed with the Seattle Mariners. His contract meant he was now signed through the 1980 season. In May 1978, bruised his left hand, which caused him to miss some playing time. On August 25, he broke-up Dennis Martínez's potential no-hitter in the seventh inning of a game against the Baltimore Orioles. On August 28, in a game against the Boston Red Sox, Stein had a season-high four hits. On the season, he batted .261 with 41 runs scored, 105 hits, 24 doubles, four triples, four home runs, and 37 RBIs in 114 games played. In the field, Stein played 67 games at third base, 17 games at second base, and three games at shortstop. His 24 errors at third base was second in the American League.

Early into the 1979 season, Stein was placed on the disabled list after suffering a rib injury. Charlie Beamon, Jr. was called-up from the minor leagues to replace Stein during his injury. In late June, the Mariners activated Stein from the disabled list. By the time he had returned, the Mariners had already positioned Dan Meyer at his position, so Stein filled in at second base during his first game back. That year, Stein batted .248 with 28 runs scored, 62 hits, nine doubles, two triples, seven home runs, and 27 RBIs in 88 games played. As a fielder, he played 67 games at third base, 17 games at second base, and three games at shortstop.

Stein's final season with the Seattle Mariners would come in 1980. On April 29, against the Minnesota Twins, Stein had a season high four hit game. He matched that high on July 26, against the Toronto Blue Jays. On July 28, Stein broke up a no-hit bid by Cleveland Indians pitcher Len Barker. In his final season with the Mariners, Stein batted .268 with 16 runs scored, 53 hits, five doubles, one triple, five home runs, and 27 RBIs in 67 games played. Defensively, he played 34 games at third base, 14 games at second base, and eight games at first base. He also played five games that season as Seattle's designated hitter.

Texas Rangers

In December 1980, Stein was signed as a free agent by the Texas Rangers. Stein made his Rangers debut on April 14, 1981, against the Cleveland Indians. In that game, he got one hit in two at-bats. In May, Stein set an American League record after he recorded seven consecutive pinch hits. Through June, Stein had a .441 batting average. On the season, Stein batted .330 with 21 runs scored, 38 hits, six doubles, two home runs, and 22 RBIs in 53 games played. In the field, he played 20 games at first base, seven games at third base, seven games in left field, three games at second base, one game in right field, and one game at shortstop.'

On April 16, 1982, in a game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Stein hit a game-winning double in the top of the ninth inning. In June, while playing against his former team, the Seattle Mariners, Stein praised their pitching staff. In 85 games that year, Stein batted .239, the lowest average of his career since the 1972 season where he played with the St. Louis Cardinals. He also had 14 runs scored, 44 hits, eight doubles, one home run, and 16 RBIs. In the field, he played 34 games at second base, 28 games at third base, six games at shortstop, two games at first base, and one game in left field. Stein also was the designated hitter during three games.

In March 1983, Stein praised the Texas Rangers new manager, Doug Rader, for working on the game in a "serious" way. On May 18, in a game against the Cleveland Indians, Stein was brought in as a pinch hitter during the 14 inning, and proceeded to get the game winning hit for the Rangers. With Texas that year, he batted .310 with 21 runs scored, 72 hits, 15 doubles, one triple, two home runs, and 33 RBIs in 78 games played. Stein played the majority of his games at second base, but also played first base and third base. He was used as the Rangers designated hitter in six contests that year. After the season, Stein spoke out against a transaction that the Rangers made, which traded Jim Sundberg to the Milwaukee Brewers, calling him a "mainstay of the organization".

In 1984, the Associated Press called stated that Stein was one of the American League's best pinch hitters in his career, Early into the season, he injured his wrist, which caused him to miss some playing time. In mid-June, the Rangers activated him from the disabled list. On the season, Stein batted .279 with three runs scored, 12 hits, one double and three RBIs in 27 games played. Stein played 11 games at second base, three games at first base, and three games at third base. He also spent four games as the Rangers designated hitter.

Before the 1985 season, it was announced that the Texas Rangers had traded Stein to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for a player to be named later, pending a physical. The Pirates later canceled the trade after team doctors discovered a "probable disc problem" in his back. Rumors then circulated that it was possible that Steins career would be ended by the injury. However, Stein did play 44 games with the Rangers that season, batting .253 with five runs scored, 20 hits, three doubles, one triple, one home run, and 12 RBIs. He played 11 games at third base, eight games at first base, three games at second base, and three games in right field. He was the team's designated hitter in six games that year. At the end of the season, Texas announced that it would not re-sign Stein. Through an agent, Stein commented that if he could not play for Texas in the upcoming season, he would retire.

References

General references
  1. "Bill Stein Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference, LLC. Retrieved 26 November 2010.
  2. "Bill Stein Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference, LLC. Retrieved 26 November 2010.
Inline citations
  1. "33rd Round of the 1968 MLB June Amateur Draft". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference, LLC. Retrieved 26 November 2010.
  2. "Southern Illinois University Salukis (Carbondale, IL)". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference, LLC. Retrieved 26 November 2010.
  3. "'Canes, Florida State Place 2 On All-American". Associated Press. Sarasota Herald-Tribune. 15 June 1969. Retrieved 26 November 2010.
  4. "4th Round of the 1969 MLB June Amateur Draft". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference, LLC. Retrieved 26 November 2010.
  5. ^ "Bill Stein has tried it all". Associated Press. Tri City Herald. 7 March 1977. Retrieved 26 November 2010.
  6. ^ "Bill Stein 1972 Batting Gamelogs". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference, LLC. Retrieved 26 November 2010.
  7. "Night Games". Associated Press. Reading Eagle. 7 September 1972. Retrieved 26 November 2010.
  8. "Murcer Inks Yankees Pact". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Sarasota Herald-Tribune. 6 March 1973. Retrieved 26 November 2010.
  9. ^ "Bill Stein 1973 Batting Gamelogs". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference, LLC. Retrieved 26 November 2010.
  10. "Cruz Elevated By Cardinas". Associated Press. The Victoria Advocate. 10 August 1973. Retrieved 26 November 2010.
  11. ^ "Bill Stein Trades and Transactions". Baseball-Almanac.com. Baseball Almanac. Retrieved 26 November 2010.
  12. "1974 American Association Batting Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference, LLC. Retrieved 26 November 2010.
  13. "Chisox Gain Farm Pair". Associated Press. Schenectady Gazette. 12 September 1974. Retrieved 26 November 2010.
  14. ^ "Bill Stein 1974 Batting Gamelogs". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference, LLC. Retrieved 26 November 2010.
  15. ^ "Bill Stein 1975 Batting Gamelogs". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference, LLC. Retrieved 26 November 2010.
  16. Lassila, Alan (4 June 1975). "Changing Faces: Way of Life For White Sox". Sarasota Journal. Sarasota Journal. Retrieved 26 November 2010.
  17. "AL West: Angels shut out A's again". The Baltimore Sun. Tribune Company (subscription required). 7 July 1975. Retrieved 26 November 2010.
  18. Lowitt, Bruce (21 July 1975). "Stein homers power Chisox past Brewers". Associated Press. The Prescott Courier. Retrieved 26 November 2010.
  19. "Monty give Red Sox Tuesday night split". Associated Press. Bangor Daily News. 19 August 1976. Retrieved 26 November 2010.
  20. Rosenburg, Ken (14 August 1976). "A's gain on ailing Royals". United Press International. Ellensburg Daily Record. Retrieved 26 November 2010.
  21. "Royals' Jones first choice in draft". Associated Press. Lawrence Journal-World. 5 November 1976. Retrieved 26 November 2010.
  22. ^ "Stein finally finds a home". Associated Press. St. Petersburg Times. 4 June 1977. Retrieved 26 November 2010.
  23. ^ "Bill Stein 1977 Batting Gamelogs". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference, LLC. Retrieved 26 November 2010.
  24. "Stein, Mariners Outslug Red Sox". United Press International. Schenectady Gazette. 4 May 1977. Retrieved 26 November 2010.
  25. "M's fade before Royals rally". Associated Press. Tri City Herald. 8 September 1977. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
  26. ^ "1977 American League Fielding Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference, LLC. Retrieved 26 November 2010.
  27. "Seaver remains bitter about Mets management". Associated Press. The Leader-Post. 16 February 1978. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
  28. "Mariners sign two players". United Press International. Ellensburg Daily Record. 16 February 1978. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
  29. "Mariner sub sinks Royals". Associated Press. The Southeast Missourian. 21 May 1978. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
  30. "Orioles' Martinez Two-Hits Mariners". Associated Press. Herald-Journal. 26 August 1978. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
  31. ^ "Bill Stein 1978 Batting Gamelogs". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference, LLC. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
  32. "Error opens the door, Red Sox shut in, 10–9". Eugene Register-Guard. Eugene Register-Guard. 29 August 1978. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
  33. "1978 American League Fielding Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference, LLC. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
  34. ^ "Stein placed on disabled list". Associated Press. Tri City Herald. 31 May 1979. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
  35. ^ "Stein celebrates return by sparking Mariner victory". Associated Press. Tri City Herald. 28 June 1979. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
  36. ^ "Bill Stein 1980 Batting Gamelogs". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference, LLC. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
  37. "Baker Flits With No-Hitter Again". Associated Press. Reading Eagle. 29 July 1980. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
  38. "Rangers also take Bill Stein". Associated Press. The Spokesman-Review. 21 December 1980. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
  39. ^ "Bill Stein 1981 Batting Gamelogs". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference, LLC. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
  40. "Stein Sets Pinch-Hit Record". United Press International. The New York Times Company (subscription required). 26 May 1981. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
  41. "Stein great in a pinch". Associated Press. The Rock Hill Herald. 26 May 1981. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
  42. Pickard, Chuck (April 1982). "Let's Hear if for a Little Known Record Holder". Baseball Digest. 41 (4). Lakeside Publishing Co.: 61. ISSN 0005-609X. Retrieved 27 November 2010. {{cite journal}}: More than one of |pages= and |page= specified (help)
  43. Aschburner, Steve (17 April 1981). "Hitter Stein wins specialists' duel". The Milwaukee Journal. The Milwaukee Journal. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
  44. "Stein has the answer: Pitching". United Press International. Spokane Chronicle. 17 June 1982. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
  45. "Once a flake: Doug Rader says it's all in the past". The Evening Independent. The Evening Independent. 24 March 1983. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
  46. "Steins' single sinks Indians in 14th". Associated Press. Toledo Blade. 19 May 1983. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
  47. "Texas Trades Sundberg to Milwaukee Brewers". Associated Press. The Bonham Daily Favorite. 9 December 1983. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
  48. "Minnesota, Kansas City Even With 17 Games Left". Associated Press. Ocala Star-Banner. 13 September 1984. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
  49. "Other 13 -- No Title". The Baltimore Sun. The Baltimore Sun (subscription required). 4 May 1984. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
  50. "American League". Spokane Chronicle. Spokane Chronicle. 14 June 1984. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
  51. "Rangers pick up Stein". United Press International. The Telegraph-Herald. 6 January 1985. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
  52. "Bucks deal for Stein canceled". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 10 January 1985. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
  53. "Names and Games". The Pittsburgh Press. The Pittsburgh Press. 10 January 1985. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
  54. ^ Kurkjian, Tim (24 October 1985). "Stein not offered contract from Rangers". The Dallas Morning News. The Dallas Morning News Co. (subscription required). Retrieved 27 November 2010.

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