Riggs Stephenson
Riggs Stephenson's .336 career batting average ranks in the top 25 all-time, but the closest he came to a batting title was a fourth place finish in 1927. In many ways he was just another hard-hitting outfielder in the 1920s and 1930s. But he was a popular player in both Cleveland and Chicago, and he twice went to the World Series with the Cubs. He and Hack Wilson and Kiki Cuyler formed an all-.300 hitting outfield in Chicago, and in Cleveland he teamed with Charlie Jamieson and Tris Speaker in one of the best outfields of that era.
Played For
Cleveland Indians (1921-1925)
Chicago Cubs (1926-1934)
Best Season: 1929
His 362 average was fifth in the NL, and he also finished among league leaders in OBP, SLG and HBP.
Born
Jackson Riggs Stephenson was born on January 5, 1898, in Akron, AL.
Died
November 15, 1985, Tuscaloosa, AL
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
Primary Position: OF
Primary Team: CLE
Major League Debut
April 13, 1921
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1921
Goose Goslin
Kiki Cuyler
Bing Miller
Luke Sewell
Riggs Stephenson
Lu Blue
Earl Sheely
Ray Kolp
Lew Fonseca
Nicknames
Old Hoss
Similar Players
Bibb Falk
Related Players
Hack Wilson, Kiki Cuyler, Charlie Jamieson
| Hall of Fame Voting |
| Year |
Election |
Votes |
Pct |
| 1956 |
BBWAA |
2 |
1.0% |
1960 |
BBWAA |
4 |
1.5% |
1962 |
BBWAA |
1 |
.6% |
|
Post-Season Appearances
1929 World Series
1932 World Series
Post-Season Notes
Stephenson was a fine performer in the WS, hitting .378 (14-for-37) in nine games. He drove in seven runs but his Cubs were 1-8 in the Fall Classic.
Notes
Finished fifth in National League Most Valuable Player voting in 1932.
Replaced
Stephenson was a platoon player until 1927, when he was inserted into left field full-time by Joe McCarthy.
Replaced By
Chuck Klein
Best Strength as a Player
Hitting left-handed pitching.
Largest Weakness as a Player
Hitting right-handed pitching.
Learn More about Riggs Stephenson
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