Bill Stein: Pinch Hitter

 

Have a look at this run of Donruss cards that feature Major Leaguer Bill Stein. 

  

 

 

(That 1984 version is a custom job I whipped up, because Donruss didn't issue a card for Mr. Stein that year.)

 

Bill Stein showed his versatility during these later years of his career, logging plenty of games at first base, second base, shortstop, and third base. It's evident by the "Infield" player position Donruss chose to use on most of those cards.

 

But let's take another look at Stein's 1985 issue.  

That's a pleasant smile on a sunny day at the ballpark. (Nice mustache, too.) What's of most interest to me, however, is the player position on the bottom.

 

 

 

   

PH

 

Pinch hitter.

 

I'm not sure I've ever seen this on a baseball card. I mean, what sort of pinch-hitting prowess does one need to have for a trading card company to designate him as a pinch hitter on his baseball card?

 

Most baseball stat guys would agree that Bill Stein wasn't exactly a Manny Mota. Or a Smoky Burgess. Or a Rusty Staub. And none of those players ever had a card with a "PH" designation.

 

But here's what I discovered: From 1980 through 1985, Mr. Stein was rather proficient in the role. You might even say he excelled. Check out these impressive little facts:

 

• Stein's career batting average as a starter was .267. As a pinch hitter, it was .282.
• His 50 career pinch hits came along with 36 RBI, many of which occurred late in the game when his team really needed some runs.
• Because of this, his manager, Don Zimmer, relied on Stein to pinch-hit regardless of whether the opposing pitcher was a lefty or a righty. 
• In 1981, he set the American League record for consecutive pinch hits, with 7.
• Games appearing in the lineup specifically as a pinch hitter: 1980 (12), 1981 (22), 1982 (35), 1983 (19), 1984 (15), 1985 (25)

And here's what might have pushed Donruss over the edge: In 1984, Stein only started 8 games: 6 at second base, and 2 as a designated hitter. But he appeared in the lineup specifically as a pinch hitter in 15 games. So that season, he really was more of a pinch hitter than a position player. 

 

I've written before about the difficulties of coming into the game cold—often more than halfway through the game—and getting that clutch hit. So I think Donruss was pretty observant and appreciative here.  

 

And I've got to say, I do love stories like this.

 

You know, the utility guy who's underappreciated by the fans. His teammates and coaches, though? They appreciate the heck out of him. They know he works just as hard as anyone on the team, but he doesn't get the chance to show it on the field every day. However, when he's called in to pinch-hit late in the game and delivers that crucial hit, the dugout comes alive.

 

ATTA BABY, BILL!

 

Yeah. They know all about Bill Stein.

 

And the man had a more than respectable career, too. In 959 total games across 14 seasons, Mr. Stein put up 751 hits, 122 doubles, 18 triples, 44 home runs, 311 RBI, and 16 stolen bases. His slash line was .267/.313/.370.

 

His best season came in 1977 with the Mariners—their inaugural season. As the starting third baseman (he played 147 games in that position), he totaled 144 hits, 26 doubles, 5 triples, 13 home runs, 67 RBI, and 3 stolen bases. His slash line was .259/.299/.394. 

 

And get this: He led all third basemen in the major leagues with 146 putouts.

 

More than Brett, Nettles, Cey, Schmidt, or Rose. 

 

Yeah. Bill Stein worked hard. 

 

So here's a question for you readers and collectors:

Do you know of any other cards that list the player as a pinch hitter? There must be some out there, right?

If you know of any, please share in the comment section. Thanks for reading!