Jim Stephens

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

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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.