Richard Stephenson (minors02)

Richard Alan Stephenson

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 5' 11", Weight 160 lb.
• Schools Ricks College, Idaho State University, Utah Valley University
• High School Springbrook High School

• Born September 25, 1948 in Wendell, ID USA
• Died October 16, 2007 in Lehi, UT USA

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Biographical Information

Richard Stephenson played one season in the Pittsburgh Pirates farm system.

Stephenson was born in Wendell, Idaho to Mary Jo and Garth Stephenson in September 1948. His family moved to Silver Spring, Maryland before Richard started school. Stephenson attended Springbrook High School where he excelled at basketball and baseball. Richard still has the all-time Springbrook batting title. Comedian Lewis Black, who was also born in 1948, was a likely classmate.

Stephenson played for both Ricks College and Idaho State University before being drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 46th round of the 1970 Amateur Draft (896th overall).

Although he was drafted as an outfielder, Stephenson was also used as a pitcher during his minor league career. In 1970, Stephenson played for the Gulf Coast League Tourists where his teammates included future major leaguers Omar Moreno and Mario Mendoza. He got into 19 games during the season and batted .209 with two doubles. On the mound, he went 1-4 with a 3.00 earned run average in nine games. In 30 innings pitched, Stephenson gave up 31 hits and 9 walks. Richard was married prior to his season in baseball and decided to give up a life in sports to support his family.

Following his playing days, Stephenson and his wife Lucinda ("Cindy") raised two daughters and five sons. He was a very active member of his church in Utah. Stephenson died in 2007 from pancreatic cancer.