Books and articles about Riggs Stephenson

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Stephenson batted .319 or better in 12 of his 14 major league seasons, but was poor defensively. Signed as a second baseman, he had a weak arm that kept him from playing regularly in his five years with Cleveland (1921-25). Converted to the outfield during a stint in the minors, he still had to depend on his potent bat to keep him in the Cubs' lineup. His throwing difficulties were the result of a shoulder injury sustained while playing football at the University of Alabama. It hindered him on pivot throws at second base, and, during one season in the Cubs outfield, he had only one assist. In 1927, his first full season with Chicago, he led the NL with 46 doubles. In the Cubs' 1929 pennant-winning year, he combined with Hall of Famers Hack Wilson and Kiki Cuyler in the only outfield in NL history in which each member had more than 100 RBI. (Stephenson 110, Wilson 159, Cuyler 102). Arm and leg injuries forced him to leave the Cubs in 1934, but he played and managed in the minors through 1939. (JK)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » September 14, 1923: George Burns, 1B for the Boston Red Sox, makes an unassisted triple play in the 2nd on a line drive hit by Cleveland's Frank Brower. He tags out Rube Lutzke and rushes to 2B for the 3rd out before Riggs Stephenson returns. The Sox beat the visiting Indians, 4–3 in 12 innings. » June 8, 1930: The increased hitting in the NL is reflected in these batting averages: Riggs Stephenson .420; Babe Herman .414; Chuck Klein .401; Harry Heilmann .400; and Bill Terry .399. » August 12, 1930: With 40,000 fans on hand at Wrigley Field, Dazzy Vance gives up 14 hits and walks four but strands 16 Cubs runners. With the game tied, 2–2, in the 11th Riggs Stephenson bounces a single to drive in the winning run. Brooklyn loads the bases in both the 9th and 10th but comes up dry; in the 8th Brooklyn adds up a triple by Babe Herman, a walk to Dale Bissonette, and an Al Lopez single for zero runs. » July 27, 1931: Riggs Stephenson, Cubs OF, breaks an ankle in a game with the Phillies, as Chicago loses 6-5 at Wrigley Field. » February 11, 1977: The Cubs trade 3B Bill Madlock, the NL batting champ the past two seasons, and 2B Rod Sperring to the Giants for OF Bobby Murcer, IF Steve Ontiveros, and a minor league pitcher. Madlock leaves Chicago having hit .336 for them, which ties him with Riggs Stephenson for the top Cub career average.