A Case For Riggs Stephenson

[jingram058]

After reading through our recent threads concerning who should be in the HOF, I coincidentally was looking through some of my old scrapbooks that I have bought over the past few years. In going through my 1932 World Series scrapbook, which is really a preview of the series looking at who's who on each team, I came across a clipping I had to look at closely. The way the papers previewed the series, it really didn't look like the Cubs were going to be swept away. And I came across this clipping of Riggs Stephenson, and his batting averages up to 1932. Astounding! I know he had a weak throwing arm from the outfield, as a result of a football injury while playing for the University of Alabama, but was it such a liability that it kept him out of the HOF? What else could it be? I also know for sure that he was a household name right up there with all the other stars of that era. I have 11 scrapbooks put together by fans during the 1930s, from the east coast to middle of the country all the way to the west coast. Riggs Stephenson has clippings in every one of them! It just seems to me that there is no way he's not in, right alongside Gil Hodges.

Every thread needs a card. I really like this 1933 DeLong Riggs Stephenson.

[Kevin]

Quick look: over a 14 year career, only 5 seasons of over 100 games played

[Exhibitman]

Only played four full seasons. Only five seasons with more than 100 games.

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Only played four full seasons. Only five seasons with more than 100 games.

Agreed

It is a nice card.

He has an interesting career and great batting average but

Like some said only 5 seasons of more then 100 games.

14 Years and only 1500 hits (just slightly more then 100 per year)

His Bio says he was only a fulltime player in 4 years 1927-1929 and 1932.

Sadly it looks likes Injuries hurt what could have been a Hall of Fame Career

PLus his week arm limited his Fielding acumen also hurt.

[packs]

Would have been nice to have seen him play.

I feel the same way about Babe Herman. Seems really ignored for a guy who was really good for the first 10 seasons of his career. Hit over 380 two years in a row.

[D. Bergin]

Never really knew much about Riggs, but he certainly has an interesting stat line. An less active Bill Madlock is the first comparison that pops in my head.

[riggs336]

I may be Riggs Stephenson's biggest fan. I have every card issued of him (unless a Curtis Ireland turns up) plus autographs, photos, balls, bats, etc.
But sadly Riggs has no business in the HOF. His .336 batting average comes from an era when entire leagues were hitting .300. And frankly there are already enough marginal HOFers from that era. He was a nice guy though, I had a long phone conversation with him in the 70s.

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by riggs336

I may be Riggs Stephenson's biggest fan. I have every card issued of him (unless a Curtis Ireland turns up) plus autographs, photos, balls, bats, etc.
But sadly Riggs has no business in the HOF. His .336 batting average comes from an era when entire leagues were hitting .300. And frankly there are already enough marginal HOFers from that era. He was a nice guy though, I had a long phone conversation with him in the 70s.

Great Collection of Riggs items. Very extensive must have taken along time to assemble

[jingram058]

Wow. That is one nice collection!

I guess I didn't dig deep enough. 4 or 5 full seasons just doesn't make a Hall of Fame career.

He was a household name in his era, nevertheless, and he is featured prominently in my book of favorite cards. I am also glad to hear he was a nice guy, that means a lot.

[bcbgcbrcb]

I agree with others on the relatively brief career. The one thing that nobody mentioned yet was that he played in an era where, seemingly, almost everybody batted .300 so a high batting average during that time was not quite as impressive as in earlier or later decades.

[J-Yo]

As others have said, the knock on him will continue to be him being a part time player. Of the ones that finished close last time I’d like to see Carl Mays, Lefty O’Doul and Sherry MaGee, and probably won’t ever happen but Jack Coombs. Will be worth watching who they decide on, if anyone this Fall (especially because they only meet every 10 years!?)


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[jcmtiger]

Originally Posted by riggs336

I may be Riggs Stephenson's biggest fan. I have every card issued of him (unless a Curtis Ireland turns up) plus autographs, photos, balls, bats, etc.
But sadly Riggs has no business in the HOF. His .336 batting average comes from an era when entire leagues were hitting .300. And frankly there are already enough marginal HOFers from that era. He was a nice guy though, I had a long phone conversation with him in the 70s.

Nice, hope that Curtis Ireland shows up for you.