Mariners Third Base: Bill Stein to Kyle Seager

I am not sure how many remember Bill Stein; however, he was the Mariners’ third baseman in their inaugural 1977 season. He was one of my favorite players that season because he was hard-nosed.

1977-1980

Bill Stein came up to the major leagues in 1972 with the St. Louis Cardinals than was traded to the Los Angeles Angeles in September of 1973, however, was traded to the Chicago White Sox at the beginning of 1974 season. His time with the Cardinals and White Sox he was used as a utility player. In 1976 for the White Sox, he played both second base and third base equally. His three years he batted .269, a solid number for a utility player.

The Seattle Mariners picked Stein in the 3rd round of the expansion draft. He was the Mariners starting third baseman for two years. In 1977, he hit  .259 with 13 home runs and 67 RBIs. He led the American League in putouts as well with 146.

The next season, Stein played in 114 games. His play time was limited because he bruised his left hand in May. He hit an average of .261 but had only four home runs with 37 runs batted in.

In 1979, he had a rib injury early on. When he returned he was no longer the Mariners’ third baseman. Instead, his final two years 1979 and 1980 he was a utility player. He played most of his time at either third base or second. He signed a free agent contract with the Texas Rangers where he played out his career from 1981 through 1985 as a utility player.

Dan Meyer, another favorite on the Mariner’s expansion team, played for the Mariners from 1977 through 1981. He was the Mariners regular third baseman in 1979 after playing first base the first two years. In 1979 the only season he played regularly at 3rd base he hit .278 with 20 home runs and 74 rbi’s.

In 1980, Meyer was moved to left field. In his final year with the Mariners in 1981, he played in a reserve role where he started 49 games at third. Before the start of the 1982 season, he was traded to the Oakland A’s.

In late 1979, the Mariners traded with the Cleveland Indians for third baseman Ted Cox. The only year he played for the Mariners where he started in 80 games at third in 1980. He ended up hitting only .243 with two home runs and driving in 23 runs. He was released during spring training of 1981.