Jim Stephens
From BR Bullpen
James Walter Stephens (Little Nemo)
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 5' 6½", Weight 157 lb.
- School Villanova University
- Debut April 11, 1907
- Final Game October 6, 1912
- Born December 10, 1883 in Salineville, OH USA
- Died January 2, 1965 in Oxford, AL USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Jim Stephens, "Little Nemo", was a catcher from 1907 to 1912 with the St. Louis Browns. He never played any other position, and he never played for any other major league team.
He is generally considered a weak hitter, with a lifetime average of .220. However, given that it was the dead-ball era, his averages weren't as bad as they seemed. In 1909 he hit .220 on a team that hit .232. The other catcher who caught a lot of games, Lou Criger, hit .170. In 1910, Stephens hit .215 on a team that hit .218. The other catcher, Bill Killefer, hit .124. In 1911, Stephens hit .231 on a team that hit .239. The other catcher, Nig Clarke, hit .215. In 1912, Stephens hit .249 on a team that hit .248. The other catcher who caught a lot of games, Paul Krichell, hit .217.
In 1911, his image as a defensive catcher took a hit when the New York Highlanders stole 15 bases in a game on September 28. Nig Clarke was the catcher when 8 of the bases were stolen, while Stephens was behind the plate for the other 7. Hal Chase and Birdie Cree each stole four bases for the Highlanders.
