Stephen Robert Staggs (May 6, 1951 – January 21, 2024) was an American Major League Baseball second baseman who played for two seasons. He played 72 games for the Toronto Blue Jays during the 1977 Toronto Blue Jays season and 47 games for the Oakland Athletics during the 1978 Oakland Athletics season.
| Steve Staggs | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Second baseman | |
| Born: May 6, 1951 Anchorage, Alaska, U.S. | |
| Died: January 21, 2024 (aged 72) Frisco, Texas, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| July 1, 1977, for the Toronto Blue Jays | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| June 20, 1978, for the Oakland Athletics | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .255 |
| Home runs | 2 |
| Runs batted in | 28 |
| Stats at Baseball Reference | |
| Teams | |
Major League Career
editToronto Blue Jays (1977)
editStaggs was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the third round of the 1971 MLB Draft, and remained in their minor league system through the 1976 season. On November 5, 1976, the Toronto Blue Jays selected Staggs in the 1976 MLB expansion draft.
Staggs made his Major League Baseball debut on July 1, 1977, going 2 for 5 in an 11-8 loss to the Texas Rangers. Staggs first career hit was a home run off of Rangers pitcher Doyle Alexander. Staggs finished the season appearing in 72 games with Toronto, batting .259 with 2 HR and 28 RBI.
On March 25, 1978, the Blue Jays traded Staggs to the Oakland Athletics for Sheldon Mallory.
Oakland Athletics (1978)
editStaggs opened the first four games of the 1978 season as Oakland Athletics' starting second baseman, but thereafter was essentially a back-up infielder mostly used as a late inning defensive replacement, although with the occasional spot start. In limited action, Staggs hit .244 with 0 HR and 0 RBI in 47 games with the Athletics. He was sent down to the minors by the end of June.
Staggs would not play in MLB again. He spent the 1979 season with the Denver Bears of the American Association before retiring.
Major League career (1977–1978)
editStaggs appeared in 119 career games, as he hit .255 with 2 HR and 28 RBI during his career.
Death
editStaggs died in Frisco, Texas, on January 21, 2024, at the age of 72.[1][2]
References
edit- ^ Glew, Kevin (January 23, 2024). "Former Blue Jays second baseman Steve Staggs dies at 72". Cooperstowners in Canada. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
- ^ "Stephen "Steve" Robert Staggs". Turrentine, Jackson, Morrow Funeral Home. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
External links
edit
- Career statistics from MLB, or Baseball Reference, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet