1979 Topps

Stein spent 14 years playing in the majors, compiling a .267 career batting average and hitting 44 home runs along the way. He came up with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1972 but did not see regular action until 1975 while playing for the Chicago White Sox. Stein hit .270 that season in 76 games for Chicago. He played in 117 games the following year but was selected by the Seattle Mariners in the 1976 expansion draft and joined the fledgling franchise for the 1977 season. That year saw Stein play in 151 games. He responded by hitting .259 with a career-high 13 home runs. He also set career highs in RBIs (67) and runs scored (53). Stein spent two more years with Seattle before going to Texas where he played the final five years of his career with the Rangers.

Stein coached and managed in the minor leagues following his playing career. As he notes on his survey, he is one of three men who hold the record for the most consecutive pinch hits (seven) in American League history. The other two are Ross Gload and Randy Bush.

Bill Stein – career stats