Dernell Stenson

Dernell Renauld Stenson

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 6' 1", Weight 230 lb.
• High School LaGrange (GA) High School
• Debut August 13, 2003
• Final Game September 28, 2003
• Born June 17, 1978 in LaGrange, GA USA
• Died November 5, 2003 in Chandler, AZ USA

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Biographical Information

Dernell Stenson was possibly the top prospect in the Boston Red Sox minor league system in the late 1990s. In 1998, he was a good-hitting first baseman on the Double A Trenton Thunder, a first-place team with an infield of future major leaguers Shea Hillenbrand, Wilton Veras, Adam Everett and David Eckstein. He was nearly ready for the majors by the age of 20 but due to injuries and difficulties playing with the Pawtucket Red Sox, Stenson never made it to the majors with the Red Sox.

Claimed off waivers in 2003 by the Cincinnati Reds, he appeared in 37 games in the majors that year, homering in his final game. Overall, he hit .247 with 3 homers and 13 RBI in 37 games, putting up an OPS+ of exactly 100. He seemed to be headed for the stardom that had been promised for him earlier, but tragedy struck that fall. At the age of 25, Stenson was murdered while playing in the Arizona Fall League. He was shot repeatedly and run over by his own car in an attempted car-jacking/robbery scheme. The parties responsible, David Griffith and Reginald Riddle, are currently serving life in prison (as part of Riddle's plea deal, he will be eligible for parole in 2033). A third party, Kevin Riddle, served eight years and nine months in prison after pleading guilty to lesser charges.

In honor of his dedication to the game and his tragic death, the Arizona Fall League created the "Dernell Stenson Sportsmanship Award", given annually to a player in the circuit who exemplifies leadership, unselfishness and hard work. His #26 was retired by the Chattanooga Lookouts, the Double A affiliate for the Reds.