Riggs Stephenson
From BR Bullpen
Jackson Riggs Stephenson (Old Hoss)
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 5' 10", Weight 185 lb.
- School University of Alabama
- Debut April 13, 1921
- Final Game September 24, 1934
- Born January 5, 1898 in Akron, AL USA
- Died November 15, 1985 in Tuscaloosa, AL USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Riggs Stephenson hit .336 lifetime in the major leagues and for many years has had proponents stoutly contending that he should be in the Hall of Fame due to his high batting average. His average is one of the highest among players who are not in the Hall of Fame. He struggled defensively due to an injury suffered while playing football at the University of Alabama, and eventually his injuries ended his major league career, after which he played for several more years in the minors. He only topped 500 AB four times and only finished in the top 10 in OPS+ twice; most of his value came from his average, which only placed in the top 10 three times and never in the top three in his league.
His entire major league career was in the lively ball era with two teams, the Cleveland Indians and the Chicago Cubs. Riggs was primarily a second baseman and third baseman in his years with the Indians, who were managed by Tris Speaker, but once he came to the Cubs he was almost exclusively in left field.
In 1929, he formed a pennant-winning outfield with Hall of Famers Hack Wilson and Kiki Cuyler. In 1932 he also was in a pennant-winning outfield with Kiki Cuyler, although the third outfielder that year was Johnny Moore.
He had been at the University of Alabama at the same time as Joe Sewell, Luke Sewell, and Ike Boone.
After baseball, he ran a car dealership in Tuscaloosa, AL.
One source: Top 100 Cubs of All Time.
[edit] Year-by-Year Managerial Record
| Year | Team | League | Record | Finish | Organization | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1936 | Birmingham Barons | Southern Association | 82-70 | 3rd | none | League Champs |
| 1937 | Birmingham Barons | Southern Association | 75-76 | 6th | none | |
| 1938 | Helena Seaporters | Cotton States League | 80-57 | 2nd | Chicago Cubs | Lost in 1st round |
| 1939 | Montgomery Rebels | Southeastern League | 60-81 | 6th | none |
