Bud Stewart – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Edward Perry “Bud” Stewart made his mark during a solid nine-season run in Major League Baseball before he finally hung up his cleats in 1954. This versatile outfielder and pinch hitter wrapped up his career with the Chicago White Sox, closing out a professional journey he’d started way back in 1941 with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Stewart’s career actually spanned two separate periods, since he paused to serve in the military during World War II. He played from 1941-1942, then came back to the majors from 1948-1954. His baseball path took him from the Pacific Coast League—where he played alongside future Hall of Famer Ted Williams—to four different major league organizations.

As a Sacramento native, Stewart showed a ton of adaptability. He bounced between starting roles and valuable bench spots throughout his big league days.

If you look at Stewart’s career, you’ll see a guy who contributed way beyond just the stats. From his days at UCLA to his last at-bat in 1954, Stewart’s story covers wartime service, clutch hitting, and a style of play that leaned on speed and defensive flexibility all over the outfield.

Early Life and Amateur Baseball

Edward Perry “Bud” Stewart was born June 15, 1916, in Sacramento, California. He built the foundation for his baseball future right there in his hometown.

His road to professional baseball started at UCLA. He played for the Bruins from 1934 to 1937, sharpening his skills before signing with the San Diego Padres.

Family Background

Bud Stewart grew up in a California family in Sacramento. Folks called him “Bud” throughout his baseball years, though his full name was Edward Perry Stewart.

The Stewarts made their home in Sacramento during Bud’s younger years. Northern California’s climate gave him plenty of chances to play ball all year long.

He came of age in Sacramento during the 1920s and early ‘30s. Even with the Great Depression looming, baseball stuck around as a favorite pastime and gave kids like Stewart a shot at something bigger.

Education and UCLA Baseball Career

Stewart attended UCLA from 1934 through 1937. He played college baseball there and really started to develop as an outfielder.

At UCLA, Stewart worked on his batting and defense. He hit left-handed and threw right-handed, a combo that turned out to be pretty handy later on.

The coaching and competition at UCLA helped him get ready for the jump to pro ball. Stewart balanced his studies and athletics, which was pretty typical for players in those days.

Path to Professional Baseball

During the summer of 1937, Stewart signed with the San Diego Padres in the Pacific Coast League. That move officially launched his pro baseball career.

He played alongside Ted Williams on the 1937 Padres, and the team actually won the Pacific Coast League championship that year.

Williams made it to the majors quickly, but Stewart stuck with the Padres until October 1, 1940. He spent more than three seasons growing his game in that tough league.

The Pittsburgh Pirates bought Stewart’s contract on October 1, 1940. That opened the door for his big league debut the next spring.

Major League Career Overview

Bud Stewart played nine seasons in the majors from 1941 to 1954. He appeared in 773 games, bouncing between the National League and American League.

He put up a .268 batting average, hit 32 home runs, and drove in 260 runs while playing for four different teams.

Debut with Pittsburgh Pirates

Stewart started his MLB career with the Pittsburgh Pirates on April 19, 1941, at 24 years old. Manager Frankie Frisch gave him the nod, and Stewart quickly showed he could be a valuable utility player.

In his rookie year, Stewart led the National League in pinch hits with 10. That really highlighted his knack for clutch hitting early on.

He stayed with the Pirates through June 1942, but then he left to join the United States Army for World War II.

The young outfielder flashed speed and defensive versatility, traits that would stick with him for the rest of his career.

Years with New York Yankees

After his military service and some time in the minors, Stewart joined the New York Yankees organization in 1947. He spent that season with the Kansas City Blues before making the Yankees roster in 1948.

He got to play alongside Joe DiMaggio, even if it was just for a short stint. Stewart’s time in pinstripes didn’t last long.

On May 13, 1948, the Yankees traded him to the Washington Senators. He only spent about six weeks with New York that season.

Even though it was brief, suiting up for the Yankees was a big deal. That team dominated baseball during those years.

Key Role with Washington Senators

Stewart found his most stable spot with the Washington Senators between 1948 and 1950. After arriving via trade, he quickly became a regular contributor.

In 1948, Stewart finished second in the American League in triples with 13. That season was one of his best and really showed off his speed on the basepaths.

In Washington, Stewart’s flexibility was on full display. He played all three outfield spots and even filled in at second and third base when needed.

The Senators used him as both a starter and pinch hitter. His left-handed bat added some balance to their lineup during his three years there.

Chicago White Sox Tenure

On December 11, 1950, Stewart got traded to the Chicago White Sox for what would be his final MLB chapter. He spent four seasons with the White Sox from 1951 to 1954.

In Chicago, Stewart mostly served as a pinch hitter and backup outfielder. As he got older, his role shrank, but he still brought valuable veteran experience.

He played his last MLB game on June 2, 1954, against the Boston Red Sox. Stewart retired a week later, on June 9, 1954, wrapping up his nine-season run.

The White Sox stint ended up being his longest with any one team. He gave them leadership and some timely hitting off the bench during those four years.

Notable Achievements and Career Highlights

Stewart set a record as the first player to lead both major leagues in pinch hits, posting top marks with the Pirates in the NL and later with the White Sox in the AL. His career was all about steady outfield play with four teams and a notable stretch of military service during World War II.

Leading Pinch Hitter in Both Leagues

Bud Stewart pulled off something unique in baseball history. He became the first player ever to lead both the National League and American League in pinch hits.

His knack for pinch-hitting showed up right away. As a rookie with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1941, he led the NL with 10 pinch hits. That set the tone for his career as a reliable bench guy.

A decade later, Stewart did it again in the American League. With the Chicago White Sox in 1951, he led the AL with 9 pinch hits. That made him the only player to ever top both leagues in that particular skill.

Stewart’s pinch-hitting kept him in the game longer than most. Teams wanted his lefty bat coming off the bench, and the White Sox used him mostly in that role from 1951 to 1954.

Major League Outfield Performance

Over nine seasons, Stewart played outfield for four different teams from 1941 to 1954.

His best year came in 1948, when he hit .278 in 406 at-bats for both the Yankees and Senators. That season, he tallied 7 home runs, 69 RBIs, and 8 stolen bases.

Overall, Stewart finished with a career batting average of .268, 32 home runs, and 260 RBIs in 773 games. He started with the Pirates in 1941-1942, then returned after his military service.

After the war, Stewart played for the Yankees, Senators, and White Sox. His best batting average came in 1949, when he hit .284 for Washington. That was his high mark for a full season.

Military Service and Interrupted Career

World War II interrupted Stewart’s baseball career. He served in the United States Military from June 1945 to May 1946.

Before heading off to the military, Stewart voluntarily retired in 1943-1944. That break meant he missed some prime years, just like a lot of players from his era.

Once he finished his service, Stewart jumped back into pro baseball. He played for the Kansas City Blues in 1947 and hit .358, which got him another shot with the Yankees in 1948.

His time in the military showed he put country before career. Stewart managed to pick up right where he left off after serving.

Statistical Profile and Playing Style

Bud Stewart ended up with a career .268 batting average, 32 home runs, and 260 RBIs over nine major league seasons. He set a unique mark as the first player to lead both leagues in pinch hits in different years.

Career Batting and Hitting Stats

Stewart’s big league career ran from 1941 to 1954 over 773 games. He kept a steady .268 batting average across those nine seasons.

He didn’t hit for a ton of power, finishing with 32 home runs. His best offensive year was 1949, when he hit .284 for the Senators.

Career Highlights:

• 1941: Led NL with 10 pinch hits as a rookie
• 1949: Hit .284, his career high
• 1951: Led AL with 9 pinch hits

In the minors, Stewart actually hit better than he did in the majors. He batted .316 with 41 home runs across eight minor league seasons from 1937 to 1954.

Analysis of WAR and Advanced Metrics

We don’t have as many advanced stats for Stewart’s era as we do now. WAR for part-timers like Stewart usually reflects their specific roles more than their overall value.

His value mostly came from situational hitting instead of piling up big numbers. Stewart’s knack for key hits off the bench made him useful, even if his totals weren’t eye-popping.

Pinch-hitting takes a different skill set than playing every day. Stewart’s left-handed bat gave managers an edge against right-handed pitchers late in games.

He bounced around between the Pirates, Yankees, Senators, and White Sox. That movement showed his fit as a utility player more than a franchise guy.

Fielding and Base Running Abilities

When Stewart wasn’t pinch-hitting, he played outfield. At 5-foot-11 and 170 pounds, he had enough mobility to handle the job.

He batted left and threw right, which gave him defensive flexibility. Managers could plug him in just about anywhere in the outfield.

Stewart’s base running fit his role. He focused on moving runners and setting up scoring chances more than stealing bases.

Pinch-hitting meant staying sharp even while sitting for long stretches. Stewart had to be ready, both mentally and physically.

Retirement and Later Contributions

Bud Stewart wrapped up his Major League Baseball career in 1954 after nine seasons as an outfielder and pinch hitter. After playing, he shifted into managing and teaching, kicking off new chapters that would shape his life after baseball.

Final Season and 1954 Retirement

Stewart wrapped up his major league career in 1954 with the Chicago White Sox. He’d spent four years with them from 1951 to 1954, mostly playing as a part-time outfielder and pinch hitter.

He played his last game on June 2, 1954. Stewart finished his nine seasons in the majors with a .268 batting average and 32 home runs, covering 1941-1942 and 1948-1954.

He missed several years from 1943 to 1947, stepping away for military service and some time in the minors. Stewart actually chose to retire in 1943-1944 and then served in the United States Military from June 1945 to May 1946.

His best season came in 1948. That year, between the New York Yankees and Washington Senators, he hit .278 in 406 at-bats, notching 7 home runs, 69 RBI, and 8 stolen bases.

Minor League Managerial Role

When his playing days ended, Stewart jumped right into baseball management. In 1954, he took over as manager of the Colorado Springs Sky Sox in the Western League.

He was the second of three managers for the Sky Sox that season. The Class A team really struggled under his watch, ending up with a tough 48-104 record.

The Sky Sox finished the season dead last, trailing the league leaders by 47 games. Stewart didn’t return to professional baseball after that year.

His minor league stats looked better than his major league numbers, honestly. Over eight minor league seasons from 1937-1954, Stewart hit .316 with 41 home runs.

Off-Field Careers and Personal Life

Stewart always seemed to have a lot going on, both during and after his baseball career. He worked as a high school physical education teacher during the off-seasons, drawing on his degree from UCLA.

He even got involved in the entertainment world, landing extra roles in The Stratton Story and the Frank Merriwell serials. That work helped supplement his baseball earnings.

After hanging up his cleats, Stewart joined North American Aviation, which later became Rockwell International. He worked there for 18 years, taking on a bunch of different roles.

From 1972 until he retired in 1981, Stewart served as Director of City Parks in Hawthorne, California. That job let him stay connected to recreation and community service, which seemed to suit him.

Stewart passed away on June 21, 2000, at age 84 in Palo Alto, California. He lived a full life, making an impact in education, aerospace, and city recreation, far beyond his baseball days.

Legacy, Data Resources, and Further Reading

Stewart pulled off something unique—he became the first player to lead both leagues in pinch hits, which kind of cemented his status as a specialist. These days, you can find his stats across several baseball databases, and collectors still hunt for memorabilia from his nine-season career.

Historical Impact and Baseball Community Recognition

Bud Stewart carved out a special spot in baseball history as the first player to lead both the National League and American League in pinch hits. Back in 1941, as a rookie with Pittsburgh, he led the NL with 10 pinch hits. Ten years later, he topped the AL with 9 pinch hits for the Chicago White Sox in 1951.

He really made his mark as a pinch hitter, which showed how teams started using bench players more strategically in the mid-20th century. Stewart’s .268 batting average and 32 career home runs showed he could contribute offensively for four different teams.

But numbers aside, Stewart was pretty much the definition of a journeyman. He balanced baseball with teaching phys ed in the off-seasons. His military service from 1943-1946 took away some of his prime years, something a lot of players from the 1940s went through.

Primary Data Sources on Bud Stewart

If you’re a baseball researcher, you can dig into Stewart’s stats through several solid databases. Baseball-Reference.com has his full career numbers, including his minor league stats and bio details. You’ll see his .316 average over eight minor league seasons there.

Retrosheet.org breaks down his major league games with detailed, game-by-game data. You can even find play-by-play info for a bunch of his later games.

The Baseball Almanac keeps records of Stewart’s career milestones. You’ll also find more stats on StatsCrew.com and The Baseball Cube.

These sources back up Stewart’s unique pinch-hitting record and track his journey through Pittsburgh, New York, Washington, and Chicago.

Affiliate Programs and Collectibles Information

You’ll spot Stewart memorabilia every so often on online auction sites. Sellers in the eBay Partner Network sometimes list vintage baseball cards, programs, and autographed items from his playing days.

Collectors keep an eye out for his rookie cards from the 1941 Pittsburgh Pirates sets. These cards tend to draw a fair bit of interest.

Game-used items from Stewart’s era almost never show up. People just didn’t save much back then, so it’s tough to find those pieces.

It’s a bit easier to find team-issued photographs or programs from the Pirates, Yankees, Senators, and White Sox. These make good entry points for collectors.

Stewart popped up in The Stratton Story and the Frank Merriwell movie serials, which adds a nice entertainment twist to his memorabilia. I’d say these Hollywood connections give his items a broader appeal, reaching folks beyond just the baseball crowd.

Prices for Stewart collectibles generally stay on the modest side. He wasn’t a superstar, but his pinch-hitting records and stints with four teams offer some interesting stories for anyone who loves baseball history.