John Stephenson
From BR Bullpen
John Herman Stephenson
- Bats Left, Throws Right
- Height 5' 11", Weight 180 lb.
- School William Carey College
- Debut April 14, 1964
- Final Game September 29, 1973
- Born April 13, 1941 in South Portsmouth, KY USA
[edit] Biographical Information
""It was me, Yogi Berra, Warren Spahn, (scout) Red Murff and him . . . They told him to throw a fastball, but he didn't tell me. He hit me on the left side of my collarbone and I had to miss a week." - John Stephenson, about catching Nolan Ryan when Ryan was first signed
Catcher John Stephenson played 10 years in the big leagues. He also had 8 seasons in the minors, primarily in Triple-A ball.
He has managed 6 seasons in the minors.
From 1974-84 he coached at his alma mater, William Carey College, and from 1985-90 he coached at Southeastern Louisiana University. After that he coached and managed in the minors and worked as a bullpen catcher at the major league level. He later returned to Southeastern Louisiana as assistant coach.
Stephenson caught Nolan Ryan's first major league strikeout, and he was also the final out of Jim Bunning's perfect game.
[edit] Year-By-Year Minor League Managerial Record
| Year | Team | League | Record | Finish | Organization | Playoffs | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | GCL Mets | Gulf Coast League | 38-19 | 2nd | New York Mets | ||
| 1996 | Kingsport Mets | Appalachian League | 48-19 | 1st | New York Mets | Lost League Finals | |
| 1997 | Capital City Bombers | South Atlantic League | 66-50 | 3rd | New York Mets | Lost in 1st round | replaced Doug Mansolino (11-13) on June 18 |
| 1998 | GCL Mets | Gulf Coast League | 24-35 | 13th | New York Mets | ||
| 1999 | GCL Mets | Gulf Coast League | 39-21 | 1st | New York Mets | League Champs | |
| 2000 | Capital City Bombers | South Atlantic League | 56-81 | 12th (t) | New York Mets |
