Bob Stafford

Note: This page is for the Bob Stafford who played in 1890. For the minor leaguer named Bob Stafford who played from 1894-1910, click here.

Robert Stafford

• Bats Unknown, Throws Unknown

• Debut October 12, 1890
• Final Game October 12, 1890

BR page

Biographical Information

Bob Stafford is one of four amateur players who made their only major league appearance for the Philadelphia Athletics of the American Association on October 12, 1890 against the Syracuse Stars. It was the last game of the season, and was played in Gloucester, NJ. Early researchers confused this Stafford with a Bob Stafford, who was a minor league player at the time, and appended the latter's birth and death details to the major leaguer Stafford's record. It is very unlikely that the two were the same man, and in fact, it is likely that this Stafford was not even named Bob, as almost nothing else is known about him or his three teammates for that day, Ham Sweigert, John McBride and John Sterling. Of the four, only Sterling has since been positively identified.

Further Reading

• "October 12, 1890", in Bill Carle, ed.: Biographical Research Committee Report, SABR, September/October 2007. p. 1.