jerry stephenson through the mail success!

former dodger pitcher jerry stephenson passed away yesterday at the age of 66.  i was fortunate enough to have him fulfill a through the mail request last winter:

stephenson spent parts of 5 seasons with the boston red sox, but also played for the seattle pilots and the dodgers at the end of his career.  in fact, this 1971 topps card is a final tribute, as stephenson's final appearance came in 1970.  traded from seattle before the season started, stephenson appeared in just 3 games for the dodgers, including his final appearance - a 2.2 inning performance against the san francisco giants.  in that game, stephenson relieved joe moeller in the 4th inning, giving up 3 runs.  the final batter stephenson faced in his major league career was willie mays, who singled.

stephenson will be better remembered as a member of the 1967 boston red sox' world series team, and he most recently served as a special consultant and scout for them.  prior to that, however, he was a scout for the dodgers for 25 years.

here's to you jerry, and thanks!