Bob Stinson – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Bob Stinson wrapped up his baseball career on August 1, 1980, playing his final game for the Seattle Mariners. As a switch-hitting catcher, he spent 11 seasons in Major League Baseball, bouncing through six different organizations before finally carving out his biggest role with the expansion Mariners.

His journey from backup catcher to primary starter in Seattle was pretty unusual, especially for the late 1970s. Not everyone gets to make that kind of leap in their thirties.

Stinson hit .250 with 33 home runs and 180 RBIs across 652 major league games from 1969 to 1980. He was born in Elkin, North Carolina, and worked his way up through the minors after the Los Angeles Dodgers drafted him in 1966.

What really stands out about his path is how he went from being a journeyman backup to a regular starter with the young Mariners franchise. That’s not something you see every day.

Let’s take a look at how Stinson went from high school prospect to major league regular. He struggled to find playing time early on, but eventually emerged as Seattle’s main catcher. His story gives us a peek into what backup players go through, and how expansion teams in the late ’70s opened up new chances for guys like him.

Early Life and Amateur Baseball

Gorrell Robert Stinson III was born on October 11, 1945, in Elkin, North Carolina. He started showing off his baseball skills during high school at Miami High, where scouts started to notice him.

Childhood and Family Background

Stinson grew up in North Carolina at first, but his family moved to Florida while he was still a kid. His full name, Gorrell Robert Stinson III, kept up the family tradition of passing names down.

The move to Miami ended up being a big deal for his baseball future. Florida’s warm weather meant he could play ball all year.

His parents really backed his love for sports from the start. That kind of support at home definitely helped him chase his baseball dreams.

Bob just had a knack for athletics as a kid. You could tell early on that he might have something special.

High School Baseball at Miami HS

At Miami High School, Stinson blossomed into a standout baseball player. His catching skills and ability to switch-hit made him a real draw for pro scouts.

Throughout high school, he kept impressing folks from different major league teams. His work behind the plate already showed off the defense that would become his calling card.

Two teams drafted him straight out of high school:

• Kansas City Athletics
• Washington Senators

Despite those offers, Stinson didn’t sign with either team. He decided to keep playing and learning at the college level instead.

Miami-Dade College Career

Stinson headed to Miami-Dade Community College to sharpen his baseball skills. The coaching and competition there were a step up.

His college years got him even more attention from the pros. College baseball helped him grow as a player and as a person.

That extra time made a difference in his game. It’s not always easy to say no to the pros, but it worked out for him.

The Los Angeles Dodgers picked him on June 7, 1966, as the 15th overall pick in the secondary phase of the draft. That happened while he was still at Miami-Dade.

The Dodgers’ investment showed they believed in his potential. His college experience made him more prepared for pro ball than if he’d jumped in straight from high school.

Major League Baseball Draft and Entry

Bob Stinson’s road to the majors involved getting drafted by several teams before he finally started his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1969. Going from high school star to big leaguer took a few years and some bouncing around.

Draft Selections and Decisions

Scouts from different teams kept tabs on Stinson during his Miami Senior High days in Florida. The Kansas City Athletics grabbed him in the 3rd round of the 1965 MLB June Amateur Draft.

The next year, he got another shot. The Washington Senators drafted him in the 1st round (13th overall) of the 1966 MLB January Draft-Secondary Phase.

Later that same year, the Los Angeles Dodgers picked him in the 1st round (15th overall) of the 1966 MLB June Draft. That was a big moment for a young catcher.

All these draft picks made it clear: teams liked his switch-hitting and defense. He had skills on both sides of the plate that clubs wanted.

Signing with Los Angeles Dodgers

Stinson ended up signing with the Dodgers after the 1966 amateur draft. That decision set the stage for the start of his pro career.

The Dodgers put him in their minor league system, and he worked his way up for a few years before breaking into the majors.

He made his MLB debut on September 23, 1969, with the Dodgers at age 23. Still, it wasn’t easy to crack their lineup since they already had veteran catchers Tom Haller and Jeff Torborg, plus a promising Joe Ferguson.

That much depth at catcher meant Stinson didn’t get a lot of playing time in 1969 and 1970. The big leagues can be a tough place to break through.

Professional Career Overview

Bob Stinson played 12 seasons in Major League Baseball from 1969 to 1980. He served as a switch-hitting catcher for six different teams and put up a .250 batting average with 33 home runs and 180 RBIs over 652 games.

He found his biggest success with the Seattle Mariners.

Position and Playing Style

Stinson played catcher his whole MLB career. He could switch-hit and threw right-handed, which gave him a little extra value at the plate.

He came from North Carolina but grew up swinging from both sides. That kind of versatility is always handy.

Stinson spent most of his career as a backup, but when he got to Seattle, things changed. He became the Mariners’ main catcher in 1977 and 1978.

His defensive skills kept him in the majors for over a decade. Teams liked how he handled pitching staffs and provided steady defense at one of the toughest spots on the field.

Key Career Statistics

Stinson’s stats show he was a solid, if not flashy, player. He had 408 hits in 1,634 at-bats over 12 years.

His .250 batting average was pretty respectable for a catcher back then. He hit 33 home runs and knocked in 180 RBIs during his time in the majors.

His best year was 1978 with Seattle. He played 124 games, hit .258, and had 11 home runs with 55 RBIs.

That season set career highs for him in just about everything—games played, at-bats, hits, doubles, homers, and RBIs.

Journeyman Years Across Teams

Stinson wore the uniforms of six different franchises, earning a reputation as a journeyman. He started with the Dodgers in 1969, then moved to St. Louis in 1971.

He played for Houston (1972), Montreal (1973-1974), and Kansas City (1975-1976). Usually, he only stayed a season or two at each stop as teams looked for backup catchers.

Seattle picked up Stinson in the 1976 expansion draft as the 25th overall pick. That gave him his first shot at regular playing time.

He stayed with the Mariners from 1977 to 1980, which was nearly half his big league career. Stinson also got a taste of the postseason with Kansas City in 1976, playing in two ALCS games against the Yankees.

Team Tenures and Notable Seasons

Stinson’s 12-year MLB career took him through six organizations. He started with a few games for the Dodgers and finished with his most significant playing time as a Mariner.

He was even part of a trade involving Dick Allen and made his only postseason appearance with the Kansas City Royals in 1976.

Los Angeles Dodgers and Early Games

The Los Angeles Dodgers picked Stinson as the 15th overall pick in the secondary phase of the 1966 draft. At the time, he was at Miami-Dade Community College.

He made his MLB debut on September 23, 1969, at age 23. His time with the Dodgers was short but a big milestone.

During 1969 and 1970, Stinson only played in eight games for Los Angeles. That’s just how it goes sometimes for backup catchers.

His Dodgers stint ended on October 5, 1970, when the team traded him and Ted Sizemore to the St. Louis Cardinals. In return, the Dodgers got Dick Allen.

St. Louis Cardinals Trade and Tenure

Getting traded to the St. Louis Cardinals was Stinson’s first big move. He joined Ted Sizemore in the deal for Dick Allen.

Stinson played just 17 games for the Cardinals in 1971. That short run was typical of his early career—mostly backup duty and not much time on the field.

His role with St. Louis never really grew. After just one season, the Cardinals moved on.

Houston Astros and Montreal Expos Years

Stinson landed with the Houston Astros for the 1972 season, continuing his journey as a traveling catcher. He only stayed in Houston for a year.

The Astros sold his contract to the Montreal Expos on March 28, 1973. Another stop on the road.

With the Montreal Expos, Stinson found a bit more stability. He spent two full seasons there from 1973 to 1974.

Even so, he stayed in a backup role with Montreal. That was just the way things went for him in those years.

Kansas City Royals and Postseason Experience

Stinson moved to the Kansas City Royals next, playing two seasons from 1975 to 1976.

Kansas City gave him a shot with a competitive team. The Royals were building something special in the mid-1970s.

1976 was the only year Stinson reached the postseason. He played in two American League Championship Series games against the Yankees.

That playoff run was probably the highlight of his career in terms of team success. Still, his role stayed limited, even in the postseason.

Seattle Mariners Era and Career Peak

Bob Stinson finally got his most significant playing time with the Seattle Mariners from 1977 to 1980. He became the expansion team‘s primary catcher during their first few seasons.

His best year came in 1978, when he set career highs in several offensive stats.

Expansion Draft to the Mariners

The Seattle Mariners grabbed Bob Stinson from the Kansas City Royals on November 5, 1976, as the 25th overall pick in the expansion draft. The Mariners and the Toronto Blue Jays were both new American League teams that year.

This was a big chance for Stinson. Up to that point, he’d always been a backup on various teams. The expansion draft finally gave him a shot to compete for a starting job.

The Mariners needed experienced players to fill out their roster. Stinson brought eight years of big league experience, and his switch-hitting and defense made him a good fit for the catcher spot.

Becoming Primary Catcher

The Mariners named Stinson their primary catcher for the 1977 and 1978 seasons. For the first time in his career, he finally got regular playing time as a starter. The American League expansion team leaned on his experience behind the plate.

In his first season with Seattle in 1977, Stinson took on most of the catching duties. He worked with a young pitching staff as the franchise tried to figure out its identity. His veteran presence really helped steady the team’s defense.

In 1978, Stinson reached his peak in both playing time and offensive numbers. He played in 124 games that year, blowing past his previous career high. Taking on the number one catcher spot let him settle into a consistent rhythm at the plate.

Best Seasons and Achievements

Stinson’s 1978 season stands out as his best across several stats. He set career highs in games played, at-bats, hits, doubles, home runs, and RBIs.

1978 Season Statistics:

• Games played: 124
• Batting average: .258
• Home runs: 11
• RBIs: 55
• On-base percentage: .346
• Slugging average: .404

These numbers show a real jump from his career batting average of .250. Those 11 home runs in 1978 made up about a third of his career total of 33. The 55 RBIs? That was nearly 31% of his career 180 RBIs.

Stinson only got a taste of the postseason with Kansas City in 1976. He played in two games of the American League Championship Series against the Yankees. That was as close as he got to playoff baseball in his career.

Decline in Playing Time and Final Season

When the Mariners picked up Larry Cox from the Cubs in March 1979, Stinson started losing playing time. Cox slowly took over as the main catcher during the 1979 season. That year, Stinson caught in 91 games while Cox handled 99.

By 1980, Cox was the regular catcher and Stinson became the backup. Things got even tougher for him when 24-year-old Jerry Narron joined the team. Funny enough, Narron would go on to manage and coach in the majors.

Stinson played his final game on August 1, 1980, after spending more than three and a half seasons with the Mariners. The team released him a week later on August 8. That ended his 12-year Major League run, which included six different franchises.

His time with Seattle was both his high point and his last chapter. The Mariners gave him the most consistent playing time of his career, and he finally got to show what he could do as a starting catcher in the American League.

Retirement and Legacy

Bob Stinson wrapped up his career quietly on August 1, 1980, in his last game for the Mariners at age 34. Over 11 years in the big leagues, he built a reputation as a reliable journeyman catcher and found his best stretch with the expansion Mariners.

Retirement in 1980

Gorrell Robert Stinson III played his final major league game on August 1, 1980, with the Mariners. Seattle released him seven days later, closing the book on his professional career.

By then, Stinson had lost the backup catcher spot to 24-year-old Jerry Narron. After the Mariners picked up Larry Cox in March 1979, Stinson’s playing time really dropped off.

His last season was pretty limited. Cox became the main catcher and younger guys took over the backup spots.

At 34, Stinson faced a tough road with younger catchers coming up and the team looking to the future.

Reputation Among Peers

Stinson earned respect as a dependable, switch-hitting catcher who handled pitching staffs well. People called him “Scrap Iron” because of his toughness and work ethic.

Teammates leaned on his experience and baseball smarts. He mentored younger players, especially during his time with the expansion Mariners.

He bounced from team to team, playing for six major league franchises, and showed the kind of flexibility that clubs want from a backup catcher.

Coaches liked his defense behind the plate. The fact that he could switch-hit gave managers more options throughout his career.

Overall Contributions to Major League Baseball

Bob Stinson put together solid career stats over 652 games:

• Batting Average: .250
• Home Runs: 33
• RBI: 180
• Games Played: 652

His best year was 1978 with Seattle, when he set career highs in several categories. He hit .258 with 11 home runs and 55 RBI in 124 games.

Stinson’s biggest impact came with the Mariners from 1977 to 1980. He served as their starting catcher in the team’s early years and helped them get established.

His one shot at the postseason came with Kansas City in 1976, when he played in two games against the Yankees in the ALCS.

Recognition and Lasting Impact

People mostly remember Stinson for his role as a founding member of the Seattle Mariners. The expansion team picked him as the 25th overall selection in the 1976 expansion draft, right from Kansas City.

He brought some much-needed stability to the young franchise during those first few seasons. With his experience, he guided the Mariners as they stumbled through the early challenges of Major League Baseball.

After he retired, Stinson didn’t really leave baseball behind. He showed up at old-timers’ games and joined Mariners alumni events at the Kingdome and other spots.

His family life seems solid—he’s lived in The Villages, Florida with his wife Gayle for over 56 years. Together, they’ve raised two children and now have seven grandchildren, keeping those family connections strong long after his playing days wrapped up.