Bob Stanley (baseball)

Robert William "Bob" Stanley (born November 10, 1954) is an American former professional baseball relief pitcher who played for the Boston Red Sox. He is currently the pitching coach for the Buffalo Bisons, Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. He is perhaps best known for his wild pitch that allowed the tying run to score in Game 6 of the 1986 World Series.

Early life

Stanley attended Kearny High School in Kearny, New Jersey where he earned All-star honors as a pitcher-shortstop and pitched a perfect game in the N.J. championship tourney in 1973.^[1]

Playing career

Stanley was a first-round pick of the Boston Red Sox in 1974 and played his entire 13-year career, 1977–89, with the team. A sinker ball specialist, Stanley was the club all-time saves leader with 132 until Jonathan Papelbon passed him on July 1, 2009, but to most Red Sox fans, he is simply known as "The Steamer" (he is also known as "Bigfoot"). He is also the Red Sox all-time leader in appearances with 637, relief wins, and is a member of the Red Sox Hall of Fame since 2000. His best season came in 1983 when he led the Sox with 33 saves and posted a 2.45 ERA.

Stanley was a key member of the 1986 Red Sox team that came within one strike of winning the World Series but ultimately fell to the Mets in seven games. Stanley entered Game 6 with the Red Sox one out away from clinching their first World Series since 1918. But his wild pitch to Mookie Wilson allowed the Mets to tie the score and then New York won Game 6 on Bill Buckner's error. Stanley and the Red Sox would return to Shea Stadium for Game 7, in which the New York Mets would ultimately be victorious by a score of 8-5.

In 1987, Stanley was converted to a starter for the first time since 1979. He went 4-15 with 67 strikeouts and a 5.01 ERA.

On September 25, 1989, Stanley announced his retirement. He compiled a 115-97 career-record with 693 strikeouts, a 3.64 ERA, 21 complete games, seven shutouts, 132 saves, and 1707 innings in 637 games (85 as a starter).

Stanley is the only player in major league history born in Maine to be named to an All-Star game.^[2]

Coaching career

Prior to joining the Blue Jays, Stanley served as a minor league pitching coach in the New York Mets' and San Francisco Giants' organizations, including service with the Connecticut Defenders, the Giants' Double-A Eastern League affiliate.

On December 23, 2011, Stanley was announced as the pitching coach for the Blue Jays' Triple-A affiliate, the Las Vegas 51s.^[3] On January 7, 2013, Toronto announced that Stanley would be the pitching coach for their new Triple-A farm club, the Buffalo Bisons.^[4]

Almost a year later, on January 4, 2014, the Blue Jays announced that Stanley would be replacing Pat Hentgen as their bullpen coach.^[5] On December 19, Stanley was named the pitching coach for the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats.^[6] On January 19, 2016, Stanley was announced as returning to the Buffalo Bisons.^[7]

Personal

Stanley lives in the Seacoast region of southern New Hampshire. On April 4, 2011, he was named President of the Seacoast Mavericks of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League (FCBL). On June 10, 2011, Stanley threw out the first pitch to inaugurate the Martha's Vineyard Sharks of the FCBL.

Highlights

• Twice All-Star (1979, 1983)
• Twice Top 10 Cy Young Award (7th, 1978; 7th, 1982)
• 3-time led the Major Leagues in relief innings (1981–83)
• Set an American League record in relief innings (168.1, 1982)

See also

• Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame
• 1986 World Series
• List of Major League Baseball career wins leaders
• List of Major League Baseball all-time saves leaders
• List of Major League Baseball players who spent their entire career with one franchise

References

External links

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)