Title
Riggs Stephenson
Subject
Baseball players
University of Alabama
Stephenson, Riggs, 1898-1985
Description
Jackson Riggs "Warhorse" Stephenson (January 5, 1898 – November 15, 1985) was an American left fielder in Major League Baseball. Nicknamed Old Hoss, Stephenson played for the Cleveland Indians from 1921 to 1925 and the rest of his career from 1926 to 1934 with the Chicago Cubs. After a brief time in the minor leagues, including two years with Birmingham, he retired in 1939. He also managed the Helena and Montgomery baseball teams before retiring to Tuscaloosa.
He was born in Akron, AL, and originally played baseball and football at the University of Alabama before he started his professional baseball career. Stephenson sustained a shoulder injury in a football game in 1920 when he dropped back and was tackled by a pair of linebackers. His injury to his right shoulder was so bad that he had to end his football career. It also greatly affected his throwing abilities in baseball but his hitting compensated for those fielding woes. Stephenson quit school at Alabama and immediately made the jump to professional baseball. He signed with the defending World Series champions Cleveland Indians at the age of 23.
After baseball, he went back to Alabama, and opened a successful car dealership in Tuscaloosa and a lumber business in Akron. He was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 1971. He died at the age of 87 at his Tuscaloosa home after suffering a long illness.
He was born in Akron, AL, and originally played baseball and football at the University of Alabama before he started his professional baseball career. Stephenson sustained a shoulder injury in a football game in 1920 when he dropped back and was tackled by a pair of linebackers. His injury to his right shoulder was so bad that he had to end his football career. It also greatly affected his throwing abilities in baseball but his hitting compensated for those fielding woes. Stephenson quit school at Alabama and immediately made the jump to professional baseball. He signed with the defending World Series champions Cleveland Indians at the age of 23.
After baseball, he went back to Alabama, and opened a successful car dealership in Tuscaloosa and a lumber business in Akron. He was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 1971. He died at the age of 87 at his Tuscaloosa home after suffering a long illness.
Creator
Greg Tucker Autographs
Source
Leo Wagner
Contributor
Elizabeth Bradt (Description)
Type
Photograph
Identifier
2575
Coverage
Tuscaloosa (AL)
Original Format
Photograph
Physical Dimensions
8 inches by 10 inches