John Stephenson

John Herman Stephenson
(Johnny)

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 5' 11", Weight 180 lb.
• School William Carey College
• High School South Portsmouth High School
• Debut April 14, 1964
• Final Game September 29, 1973
• Born April 13, 1941 in South Portsmouth, KY USA

BR page

Biographical Information

"It was me, Yogi Berra, Warren Spahn, (scout) Red Murff and him . . . They told him to throw a fastball, but he didn't tell me. He hit me on the left side of my collarbone and I had to miss a week." - John Stephenson, about catching Nolan Ryan when Ryan was first signed

Catcher John Stephenson played 10 years in the big leagues. He also had 8 seasons in the minors, primarily in Triple-A ball. He managed 6 seasons in the minors.

From 1974-1984 he coached at his alma mater, William Carey College, and from 1985-1990 he coached at Southeastern Louisiana University. After that he coached and managed in the minors and worked as a bullpen catcher at the major league level. He was a coach for the Kingsport Mets in 1994, St. Lucie Mets in 2001, and Capital City Bombers in 2002. He later returned to Southeastern Louisiana as assistant coach.

Stephenson caught Nolan Ryan's first major league strikeout, and he was also the final out of Jim Bunning's perfect game.

Year-By-Year Minor League Managerial Record

Year	Team	League	Record	Finish	Organization	Playoffs	Notes
1995	GCL Mets	Gulf Coast League	38-19	2nd	New York Mets
1996	Kingsport Mets	Appalachian League	48-19	1st	New York Mets	Lost League Finals
1997	Capital City Bombers	South Atlantic League	66-50	3rd	New York Mets	Lost in 1st round	replaced Doug Mansolino (11-13) on June 18
1998	GCL Mets	Gulf Coast League	24-35	13th	New York Mets
1999	GCL Mets	Gulf Coast League	39-21	1st	New York Mets	League Champs
2000	Capital City Bombers	South Atlantic League	56-81	12th (t)	New York Mets