Robert William "Bob" Stanley (born November 10, 1954 in Portland, Maine)^[1] is a former Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher who played with the Boston Red Sox.

Over his 13-year career, Stanley played only for the Red Sox from 1977-89. Bob was a first-round pick of the Boston Red Sox in 1974.

A sinker ball specialist, Stanley was the club all-time saves leader with 132 until Jonathan Papelbon passed him on July 1, 2009, but to most Red Sox fans, he is simply known as "The Steamer". He is also the all-time leader in appearances with 637 and is a member of the Red Sox Hall of Fame since 2000. His best season came in 1983 when he led the Sox with 33 saves and posted a 2.45 ERA.

Stanley was a key member of the 1986 Red Sox team that came within one strike of winning the World Series but ultimately fell to the Mets in seven games. In the tenth inning of Game Six, Stanley's 2-2 wild pitch to Mookie Wilson allowed the Mets to tie the score.

In 1987, working as a starter for the first time since 1979, Stanley was 4-15 with 67 strikeouts and a 5.01 ERA.

On September 25, 1989, Stanley announced his retirement. He compiled a 115-97 career-record with 693 strikeouts, a 3.64 ERA, 21 complete games, seven shutouts, 132 saves, and 1707 innings in 637 games (85 as a starter).

Bob Stanley still lives in the Boston area. He also works at the USA Training Center, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

[edit] Highlights

• Twice All-Star (1979, 1983)
• Twice Top 10 Cy Young Award (7th, 1978; 7th, 1982)
• 3-time led the Major Leagues in relief innings (1981-83)
• Set an American League record in relief innings (168.1, 1982)

[edit] See also

• Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame
• 1986 World Series
• List of Major League Baseball leaders in career wins
• List of Major League Baseball all-time saves leaders

[edit] External links

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube

[edit] References