Today’s Tiger: Dave Stegman

Dave Stegman

• Born: Jan. 30, 1954 in Inglewood, Calif.
• Bats: Right Throws: Right
• Height: 5′ 11″ Weight: 190
• Acquired: Drafted by the Tigers in the 1st round (2nd pick) of the 1976 amateur draft.
• Seasons in Detroit: 3 (1978-80)
• Uniform Number: 22
• Stats: .189 avg., 6 HR, 17 RBI, .589 OPS

Dave Stegman debuted with the Tigers on Sept. 4, 1978. As a youngster, Stegman clearly was a stud player. According to Baseball Reference.com:

• Drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 10th round of the 1972 amateur draft, but did not sign.
• Drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 9th round of the 1975 amateur draft, but did not sign.
• Drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 2nd round of the 1976 amateur draft (Secondary Phase), but did not sign.

The University of Arizona alum was drafted by Detroit in the first round — second pick overall — of the 1976 amateur draft.

He played in eight games in 1978 — all in the outfield — and batted .286 in 14 at bats. In 1979 he played in 12 games and batted .194 (but with one homer!).

The 1980 season was his last with the Tigers. That year he appeared in 65 games and hit .177 in 130 at bats.

Detroit shipped him to the San Diego Padres for Dennis Kinney in December 1980.

He never played for the Padres and was spun-off to the Yankees as a player to be named later in April 1981. He didn’t see any major-league action during that strike-shortened year.

The same could almost be said about 1982. He appeared in two games for the Yankees but had zero plate appearances. That had to be a bummer.

On Jan. 26, 1983, Stegman signed a free agent contract with the White Sox. After two unremarkable seasons with Chicago, he was out of baseball.

His final line: 172 games, 320 at bats, 66 hits, 8 HR, 32 RBI, and a .206 average.

Whether or not you remember Dave Stegman, wish him a happy birthday, won’t you?