Joe Stephenson

Who was Joe Stephenson?

Joseph Chester Stephenson was a catcher in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Giants, Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox. Stephenson batted and threw right-handed. He was the father of Jerry Stephenson.

A native of Detroit, Michigan, and an alumnus of Michigan State University and Western Michigan University, Stephenson caught in part of three seasons in the 1940s. He posted a .179 batting average with eight runs and four RBI in 29 games played.

Following his retirement, Stephenson gained most of his fame as a scout for the Boston Red Sox based in Orange County, California, signing future All-Stars Rick Burleson, Dwight Evans, Bill Lee and Fred Lynn, while working exclusively for the organization.