Bob Stoddard
Robert Lyle Stoddard is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Seattle Mariners, Detroit Tigers, San Diego Padres and Kansas City Royals. He was born on Friday, March 8,1957 in San Jose, California. Stoddard attended Fresno State University and he threw and batted right handed.
Stoddard, who was 6'1" and 200 (some sources say he was 190 or 210) pounds, was drafted four times. He was drafted in the 19th round of the 1975 draft by the Milwaukee Brewers, in the 3rd round of the 1976 draft by the Oakland Athletics. In 1976, he was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the third round too, this time in a different draft (there are multiple drafts held each year). He wasn't drafted at all in 1977, and in 1978-when he was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 10th round-he finally decided to sign.
Stoddard had spent less than four seasons in the minor leagues when he made his Major League debut on September 4, 1981, at the age of 24. He experienced two successful seasons in 1981 and 1982, posting ERAs of 2.60 and 2.41 in each of those two seasons, respectively. In 1983, his statistics went "downhill"-his win-loss record was a mediocre 9-17. After that season, his ERA reached under 3.00 only once more. His final game was September 19, 1987.
Major Transaction
On April 18, 1986, Stoddard was traded to the San Diego Padres for a minor leaguer named Kevin Russ and outfielder Rusty Tillman.
Hitting
Stoddard didn't get much of a chance to hit, but in one career at-bat, he struck out.
Fielding
Stoddard was a fairly steady fielder, committing only two errors in his career, both in 1983.
Other Information
- Stoddard wore four numbers in his career:
-34 with the Mariners
-48 with the Tigers
-47 with the Padres
-29 with the Royals
- In 1987, Stoddard earned $65,000.
- An excerpt from Baseball Library:
"Stoddard was a failed starting pitcher who was unsuccessfully converted to relief by the Mariners. He had short tours of duty with three teams in his last three seasons."