Bob Stanley
| Bob Stanley | |
|---|---|
| Pitcher | |
| Born: November 10, 1954 Portland, Maine |
|
| Batted: Right | Threw: Right |
| MLB debut | |
| April 16, 1977 for the Boston Red Sox | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 5, 1989 for the Boston Red Sox | |
| Career statistics | |
| Win–Loss record | 115–97 |
| Earned run average | 3.64 |
| Strikeouts | 693 |
| Saves | 132 |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Robert William "Bob" Stanley (born November 10, 1954 in Portland, Maine)[1] is a former Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher who played with the Boston Red Sox.
Over his 13-year career, Stanley played only for the Red Sox from 1977-89. Bob was a first-round pick of the Boston Red Sox in 1974.
A sinker ball specialist, Stanley was the club all-time saves leader with 132 until Jonathan Papelbon passed him on July 1, 2009, but to most Red Sox fans, he is simply known as "The Steamer" (he is also known as "Bigfoot"). He is also the all-time leader in appearances with 637 and is a member of the Red Sox Hall of Fame since 2000. His best season came in 1983 when he led the Sox with 33 saves and posted a 2.45 ERA.
Stanley was a key member of the 1986 Red Sox team that came within one strike of winning the World Series but ultimately fell to the Mets in seven games. Stanley entered Game 6 with the Red Sox one out away from clinching their first World Series since 1918. But his wild pitch to Mookie Wilson allowed the Mets to tie the score and then New York won it on Bill Buckner's error. Stanley failed to cover first on the play.
In 1987, working as a starter for the first time since 1979, Stanley was 4-15 with 67 strikeouts and a 5.01 ERA.
On September 25, 1989, Stanley announced his retirement. He compiled a 115-97 career-record with 693 strikeouts, a 3.64 ERA, 21 complete games, seven shutouts, 132 saves, and 1707 innings in 637 games (85 as a starter).
In 2001 Stanley illegally parked his Ford Explorer and proceeded to condescendingly toss his keys at now ESPN broadcaster Ryen Russillo expecting this young go-getter to jump at the chance to move the car of a career mediocre relief pitcher.
On April 4, 2011 Bob Stanley was named President of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League franchise the Seacoast Mavericks. The Mavs are owned and operated by Bob's good friend, Dave Hoyt who owns and operates USA Training Center In Portsmouth, New Hampshire where Bob gives lessons on a part-time basis.
To this day, Bob Stanley still lives in the New England area, living in the Seacoast region of southern New Hampshire.
On June 10, 2011, he threw out the first pitch at the new Futures Collegiate Baseball League team, the Martha's Vineyard Sharks at Vineyard Baseball Park located at Martha's Vineyard Regional High School in Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts.
Contents |
[edit] Highlights
- Twice All-Star (1979, 1983)
- Twice Top 10 Cy Young Award (7th, 1978; 7th, 1982)
- 3-time led the Major Leagues in relief innings (1981–83)
- Set an American League record in relief innings (168.1, 1982)
[edit] See also
- Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame
- 1986 World Series
- List of Major League Baseball leaders in career wins
- List of Major League Baseball all-time saves leaders
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube
