Ed Stevens – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Ed Stevens holds a unique place in baseball history as the player who gave up his starting position to make room for Jackie Robinson in 1947.

His name might not show up in record books alongside the biggest stars, but Stevens played a crucial role during one of baseball’s most important moments.

Stevens played six years in the major leagues from 1945 to 1950, taking the field at first base for both the Brooklyn Dodgers and Pittsburgh Pirates. After that, he kept his career going in the minor leagues until 1961.

He was born in Galveston, Texas. As a left-handed hitter, he stood six feet one and weighed 190 pounds, which made him a solid presence at first base in the 1940s.

His story is about more than just numbers.

He showed early promise with the Dodgers, handled a tough situation with grace when Robinson joined the team, and later had some good years in Pittsburgh.

Stevens also built an impressive minor league resume and eventually worked as a scout, showing his deep knowledge of the game throughout his life in baseball.

Early Life and Path to the Majors

Edward Lee “Big Ed” Stevens was born in Galveston, Texas, on January 12, 1925. Major league scouts spotted him as a teenager.

The Brooklyn Dodgers signed him when he was just 16, kicking off a journey through the minor leagues that lasted four seasons before he made his major league debut in 1945.

Childhood in Galveston, Texas

Ed Stevens grew up in Galveston during the 1920s and 1930s. He was born on January 12, 1925, and developed his baseball skills in the coastal city, which had a strong sports culture.

He stood out early for his size and left-handed swing.

His natural talent at first base became obvious in his teenage years.

Galveston’s climate let Stevens play baseball year-round, which helped him develop his fundamentals.

By age 16, he had already shown the power and defensive skills that would define his career.

His growth to 6’1″ and 190 pounds made him an attractive prospect for major league teams.

Signing with the Brooklyn Dodgers Organization

The Brooklyn Dodgers saw Stevens’s potential and signed him as an amateur free agent at 16.

This early signing showed the Dodgers believed he could develop into something special.

Stevens joined the Dodgers system during World War II, at a time when many established players were away in the military.

Young prospects like Stevens got more chances to move up quickly.

The Dodgers had a reputation for strong scouting and player development back then.

Their decision to sign Stevens so young showed their commitment to building talent from within.

His left-handed bat and first base skills fit the Dodgers’ needs at the time.

They saw Stevens as a possible long-term answer at first base.

Development in the Minor Leagues

Stevens spent four seasons in the minors before making his big league debut in 1945.

This period let him sharpen his hitting and defense at first base.

He worked on his batting average and power numbers in the minors.

The experience taught him to handle different pitching styles he would see in the majors.

The minor league system gave Stevens regular playing time and coaching.

He picked up the mental side of the game while building his physical skills.

By 1945, Stevens had done enough to earn a call-up to the Brooklyn Dodgers.

His minor league performance showed he was ready for the majors at age 20.

Major League Career Highlights

Ed Stevens played six seasons in Major League Baseball from 1945 to 1950.

He established himself as a reliable first baseman for both the Brooklyn Dodgers and Pittsburgh Pirates.

His career included a strong rookie debut, solid offense, and the unique distinction of being replaced by Jackie Robinson at first base.

Debut and Rookie Performance

Stevens made his MLB debut on July 20, 1945, with the Brooklyn Dodgers when he was 20.

The Dodgers had signed him as a 16-year-old from Galveston.

In his rookie year, Stevens split first base duties with veteran Augie Galan.

He appeared in 55 games and put up impressive numbers for a newcomer.

Stevens batted .274 in his first season, which was well above the league average.

He hit 4 home runs and drove in 29 runs, even with limited playing time.

His strong rookie year showed the Dodgers they had a promising young player.

Stevens displayed good plate discipline and power potential that would help him in future seasons.

Becoming the Dodgers’ First Baseman

Stevens became Brooklyn’s regular first baseman in 1946, playing in 103 games.

He became a key offensive contributor for the team.

His 10 home runs in 1946 ranked second on the Dodgers, just behind Pete Reiser’s 11.

Stevens drove in 60 runs while batting .242 that season.

His average dipped, but his power numbers went up.

The 1947 season changed everything when Jackie Robinson joined the team.

The Dodgers moved Stevens from first base to make room for Robinson.

He appeared in only 5 games before the team sent him to Triple-A Montreal.

Key Achievements and Statistics

Stevens wrapped up his major league career with solid offensive numbers in 375 games.

He hit .252, with 28 home runs and 193 RBIs.

His best season came in 1948 with Pittsburgh after the Dodgers traded him.

That year, Stevens had career highs in games (128), at-bats (468), and RBIs (69).

Career Statistics:

• Batting Average: .252
• Home Runs: 28
• RBIs: 193
• Games Played: 375

Stevens’ career included more than just stats.

He became part of baseball history as the player who gave up his starting spot to Jackie Robinson in 1947.

His minor league career was even more impressive, lasting 16 seasons with 257 home runs and 1,013 RBIs.

Stevens got inducted into the International League Hall of Fame in 2009.

Role in Baseball History: The Jackie Robinson Era

Ed Stevens became a significant figure in baseball history when he lost his starting first base job to Jackie Robinson in 1947.

He later wrote about his experiences in “The Other Side of the Jackie Robinson Story,” giving a unique perspective on this pivotal moment in baseball.

Losing the Starting Spot to Jackie Robinson

In 1947, the Brooklyn Dodgers moved their spring training to Havana, Cuba.

They wanted to help Jackie Robinson avoid the racism of the American South.

Robinson had played second base at Montreal in 1946, but the Dodgers already had Eddie Stanky at second.

They decided to use Robinson at first base.

Branch Rickey came to Stevens with a proposal.

He asked Stevens to go down to Montreal to make room for Robinson, promising that if Stevens had a good year, he’d try to trade Stanky.

This plan would let Robinson move to second base in 1948, and Stevens could return to first base for Brooklyn.

Rickey’s Promise:

• Stevens would be Brooklyn’s first baseman for 10-15 years
• The arrangement depended on Stevens’ abilities holding up
• Stevens would need to prove himself at Montreal first

At first, Stevens pushed back.

He told Rickey he didn’t see a reason to leave Brooklyn, since he felt he’d made the team.

Rickey replied, “Well, I’m going to reward you if you’ll do this for me, if you’ll go down there and get in shape.”

Stevens realized Rickey had already decided, so he agreed to the demotion.

Personal Reflections and Challenges

Stevens became the first Major League Baseball player replaced by a black player.

Despite this historic displacement, Stevens always spoke positively about Robinson.

He described Robinson as “the consummate teammate” who got along with everyone.

Stevens called Robinson “the most focused individual” he’d ever met.

When Robinson stepped onto the field, Stevens said, he was there to win—nothing else mattered.

Stevens kept a photo on his Houston wall showing the two young men smiling together, leaning over the dugout steps at Ebbets Field.

That image summed up Stevens’ respect for Robinson, even though losing his job must’ve stung.

At Montreal, Stevens hit .290 with 27 home runs and 108 RBIs.

Rickey brought him back late in the season, but three days too late to make the 1947 World Series roster.

On November 13, 1947, Rickey sold both Stevens and infielder Stan Rojek to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The promised return to Brooklyn never happened.

Publication of The Other Side of the Jackie Robinson Story

Stevens published his memoir “The Other Side of the Jackie Robinson Story” in 2009.

The book gave his personal account of the 1947 season from the view of the player who lost his spot.

The memoir let readers see the human cost of baseball integration.

Stevens wrote about the promises and disappointments of that time.

His book filled a gap in Robinson literature by telling the story from a different angle.

Stevens made it clear he never held any grudge against Robinson.

He finally shared his story with the public more than 60 years after those events.

Stevens was in his 80s when he published the memoir.

His account gave historical context for understanding the complexity of baseball integration, beyond just the well-known story of Robinson’s courage.

Trade to Pittsburgh and Later Major League Years

After losing his starting job to Jackie Robinson, Stevens moved to the Pittsburgh Pirates after the 1947 season.

His time with Pittsburgh included career highs but also the start of his decline due to injuries.

Joining the Pittsburgh Pirates

The Brooklyn Dodgers sold Stevens to the Pittsburgh Pirates after the 1947 season.

This move came after Stevens lost his starting first base spot to Robinson.

Stevens saw the trade as a new opportunity.

He joined the Pirates for spring training in 1948, ready to prove himself.

In Pittsburgh, Stevens found mentors in Ralph Kiner and Honus Wagner.

Working with those legends helped him improve his skills.

Stevens recalled that he worked harder than ever after joining the Pirates.

The change of scenery gave him new motivation.

Notable Performances and Transitions

Stevens had his best season in 1948 with Pittsburgh.

He hit .254 with 10 home runs and drove in 64 runs.

His home run total stood out, especially given Forbes Field’s huge dimensions.

That ballpark made it tough for hitters to reach the fences.

Stevens showed solid power numbers in his first season with the Pirates.

His 64 RBIs proved he could drive in runs with regular playing time.

By September 1948, injuries started to catch up with him.

Problems with his hips and shoulders began to take a toll.

Final MLB Season and Retirement in 1950

Stevens played less in his last two seasons.

In 1949 and 1950, he spent most of his time on the bench.

The injuries from late 1948 kept limiting what he could do.

Hip and shoulder problems made it tough for him to play at a major league level.

Stevens played his last major league game on October 1, 1950, against Cincinnati.

He went 1-for-3 in his final big league appearance.

At just 25, Stevens retired from Major League Baseball after six seasons.

His career ended with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1950, closing out a brief but historically significant run.

Minor League Success and Health Struggles

Stevens faced serious health challenges that derailed his major league career.

He found renewed success in Triple-A baseball.

His time in the minors was marked by physical setbacks and impressive offensive numbers.

Those numbers kept him playing professionally for more than a decade.

Rebuilding in Triple-A

After his major league career wrapped up in 1950, Stevens started working to rebuild his reputation in Triple-A baseball. He spent about five years with the Toronto team, putting up strong offensive numbers season after season.

Every year in Toronto, Stevens drove in close to 100 runs. He also hit between 25 and 30 home runs each season, showing up for almost every game.

His consistency and durability caught the eye of scouts. Some believed he still had what it took to compete at the major league level.

But even with those impressive stats, Stevens couldn’t land another shot at the majors. Scouts hesitated, worried his past health issues might come back and make him a risky pick.

Battling Injuries and Illness

Stevens started dealing with health problems during his time with the Pittsburgh Pirates. These issues nearly ended his career.

He developed a serious infection that spread to every joint, causing constant pain and making it tough to play.

For years, doctors couldn’t figure out what was wrong. Stevens visited 29 different doctors over four years, searching for answers.

Finally, a doctor in Shreveport, Louisiana, found the problem while treating Stevens for a broken nose.

“I had my nose broken two different times. I couldn’t breathe out of my left side,” Stevens said in a 2008 interview.

That doctor discovered poisonous pus in his nasal cavity. It had been slowly poisoning his body.

The infection was so bad that the doctor warned it could have killed him if it had spread all at once.

After surgery, Stevens slowly regained his strength. He made his way back to professional baseball.

Achievements in Minor League Baseball

Stevens kept playing professionally until 1961, racking up a 19-year career. His success in the minors really showed his resilience.

Not long after his recovery, Stevens became one of Triple-A’s home run leaders. His power numbers and RBI totals proved he was back in form.

His achievements in the minors helped him move into scouting once his playing days ended. From 1962 to 1989, he scouted for several organizations, relying on his years of experience to spot talent.

Post-Playing Career and Legacy

After finishing his playing career in 1961, Ed Stevens moved into scouting and coaching roles that lasted for decades. He later wrote about his experiences during baseball’s integration era and earned recognition for his impact on the International League.

Transition to Scouting and Coaching

Stevens jumped into a full-time scouting job with the Minnesota Twins right after retiring. Over the years, he worked as a scout for several major league teams.

He evaluated talent for the Seattle Mariners and Oakland Athletics, developing a knack for spotting promising players at the amateur and minor league levels.

One scouting miss still stands out—Stevens, like many others, doubted Nolan Ryan. He figured Ryan was “too skinny and would blow out his arm quickly.” Only Red Murff, the Mets scout, saw Ryan’s true potential.

In 1981, Stevens briefly returned to coaching to secure his pension. Padres manager Jack McKeon let coach Eddie Brinkman step aside for 44 days so Stevens could fill the spot. That gave him the extra time he needed to qualify for his baseball pension, since he was just 42 days short.

Recognition and Later Life

Later in his career, Stevens finally got some recognition for his minor league achievements. The International League inducted him into their Hall of Fame in 2009, honoring his standout years with the Toronto Maple Leafs from 1952 to 1956.

During his Toronto stint, Stevens hit 100 home runs and drove in 524 runs. He led the league in RBIs twice and made two postseason All-Star teams.

Stevens married Margie Lee Saxon on April 16, 1943, in Meadsville, Mississippi. They had three daughters: Janice (born 1946), Barbara (born 1950), and Vikki (born 1953).

After leaving baseball for good, Stevens settled down in a quiet Houston neighborhood with Margie. He stayed connected to the game through different activities and interviews about his playing days.

Legacy in Baseball History

Stevens wrote a book called “The Other Side of the Jackie Robinson Story,” where he shared his own take on baseball’s integration. He gave readers a firsthand look at what it felt like for players who had to adjust when Robinson joined the major leagues.

He always said Jackie Robinson was “the consummate teammate” and that he “got along with everyone.” Stevens remembered Robinson as “the most focused individual he had ever met,” and he even kept a photo of the two of them together at his place in Houston.

In 1947, Stevens stepped aside for Robinson, even though he wasn’t thrilled about it at first. That choice ended up shaping his legacy in baseball.

Stevens died on July 22, 2012, at 87 years old in Galveston, Texas. Over his 19-year pro career, and later as a scout and author, he carved out a spot for himself in baseball history that went way beyond just his connection to Jackie Robinson.