Dave Stegman – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Dave Stegman wrapped up his six-season Major League Baseball career in 1984. His journey through pro baseball really shows what players go through when they’re fighting to stick in the big leagues.

He was born in Inglewood, California, on January 30, 1954. Stegman climbed up through the minors before the Detroit Tigers called him up for his debut on September 4, 1978.

Stegman played for three MLB teams: the Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, and Chicago White Sox. He put together a .206 batting average with 8 home runs and 32 RBIs in 172 games. His numbers might not jump off the page, but his grit and love for the game kept him bouncing around the league for six years.

From his days as an amateur standout with Team USA to his last MLB game on July 22, 1984, Stegman’s story is really about the grind it takes to play at baseball’s highest level. He had some cool moments—like hitting two home runs in a single game and setting a quirky record for most at-bats in extra innings during one of baseball’s longest games.

Early Life and Amateur Career

David William Stegman was born on January 30, 1954, in Inglewood, California. He started chasing his baseball dreams in high school, then kept it going through college at the University of Arizona.

Childhood and Education

Stegman grew up in California during the ’60s and early ’70s. Inglewood, his hometown, sits in Los Angeles County, not far from some iconic sports venues.

He sharpened his baseball skills in Southern California’s tough amateur baseball scene. That area has always turned out a lot of future major leaguers.

As a teenager, Stegman really started to stand out. He played outfield and could hit.

He worked hard at baseball and chased every opportunity to get better. Eventually, he landed at high school in Lompoc, California, and that’s where things started to come together.

Lompoc High School Baseball

At Lompoc High School, Stegman played outfield and kept getting better. College scouts and pro teams noticed.

He showed off his hitting ability, which definitely helped him get on MLB scouts’ radar. His speed and glove in the outfield didn’t hurt, either.

The Atlanta Braves drafted Stegman in the second round, 34th overall, in 1976, straight out of high school. But he decided not to sign.

That call changed his life. Instead of jumping right into pro ball, Stegman went to college to keep developing.

University of Arizona Achievements

Stegman chose the University of Arizona and played for the Wildcats. His college years turned out to be a big deal both for him and the team.

The highlight? Arizona won the Men’s College World Series Championship while he was there. That’s about as good as it gets in college baseball.

His play at Arizona brought the scouts back around. The Detroit Tigers picked him in the first round of the 1976 draft, second overall.

That high draft spot really showed how much he’d grown in college. Stegman’s bat and outfield defense made him a hot commodity.

Dick Wiencek, a Tigers scout, saw something special in Stegman and signed him.

Professional Baseball Debut

Dave Stegman’s road to the majors started when the Detroit Tigers made him the second overall pick in the 1976 MLB Draft. He finally got his MLB debut on September 4, 1978, at 24, after a couple of years in the Tigers’ minor league system.

Detroit Tigers Draft and Minor League Journey

The Tigers went after Stegman early, grabbing him second overall in the 1976 draft. That says a lot about how much they believed in the outfielder from Arizona.

He spent two seasons grinding in Detroit’s minor league system. He worked on his swing and got sharper in the outfield.

Detroit put in the effort to get Stegman ready for the big leagues. His college experience paid off as he made the jump to pro ball.

Major League Debut in 1978

Stegman finally got his shot on September 4, 1978 with the Tigers. He was 24 when he trotted out onto a major league field for the first time.

Detroit called him up for the last month of the season. That gave him a taste of the majors without the weight of a full year.

That debut kicked off his six-season MLB run. He spent parts of three years with Detroit from 1978 to 1980.

It only took two years from draft day to big league debut. That’s a pretty quick climb and showed he had real potential.

Major League Career Overview

Dave Stegman played in the majors from 1978 to 1984. He appeared in 172 games and hit .206. He spent three years with the Tigers, had a quick stop with the Yankees, and finished with two seasons as a Chicago White Sox.

Detroit Tigers Years

Stegman started his MLB career with the Tigers on September 4, 1978, at 24. He debuted against the Yankees and picked up a hit in two at-bats.

His first season looked promising. In eight games, Stegman hit .286 with a home run and three RBIs. He posted a .955 OPS, which hinted at some upside.

1979 Season Performance:

• 12 games
• .194 average
• 3 home runs, 5 RBIs
• Mostly played center field

The 1980 season was rough for Stegman. He played 65 games but only hit .177. He got more playing time, but the bat just didn’t come alive.

He bounced around the outfield but mostly stuck in center. He also filled in at right and left field.

Time with the New York Yankees

Stegman’s Yankees stint in 1982 was blink-and-you-miss-it short. He played in just two games and didn’t get an official at-bat.

The Yankees used him as a designated hitter, but his role was tiny. He was more of a depth guy than anything else.

After New York, Stegman moved on to his last MLB team.

Chicago White Sox Tenure

The Chicago White Sox picked up Stegman for the 1983 and 1984 seasons. Those last two years gave him his best shot at regular playing time.

1983 Season Stats:

• 30 games
• .170 average
• 4 RBIs, 10 walks

His 1984 season was a career highlight. Stegman played 55 games and hit .261. He added two home runs, 11 RBIs, and even stole three bases.

On May 16, 1984, he hit two home runs against the Kansas City Royals. Both came off Larry Gura, though the White Sox still lost 7-6.

Stegman set an odd MLB record that year. On May 8, 1984, he became the only player to get eight at-bats in extra innings in a single game.

His last big league game was July 22, 1984, against Cleveland. He went 1-for-3 that day.

Playing Style and Performance

Dave Stegman’s MLB run from 1978 to 1984 was defined by light offense and steady outfield work. His .206 career batting average shows how tough it can be for utility players to stick, though he did have some pop with 8 home runs in 172 games.

Hitting Statistics and Batting Average

Stegman’s .206 average was below league average for his time. That covers his 172 MLB games with the Tigers, Yankees, and White Sox.

His hitting numbers jumped around a lot, especially in 1984. At home, he hit .320 with a .357 OBP and .528 slugging in 28 games.

On the road, it was a different story—just .179 average, .238 OBP, and .179 slugging in 27 games. That gap really shows how hard it can be to adjust to different parks and pitchers.

In 1984, Stegman played 55 games for the White Sox. He racked up 92 at-bats, his busiest season.

Runs, At Bats, and Total Bases

Over his career, Stegman drove in 32 runs in 172 games. As a utility outfielder, he just didn’t get as many chances as everyday guys.

In 1984, he scored 13 runs and drove in 11. At home that season, he had 10 runs and 10 RBIs in 53 at-bats.

His total bases showed he could do more than just hit singles. The 1984 season saw him collect doubles, triples, and home runs.

Stegman didn’t walk much. In 1984, he walked only 4 times—3 on the road, 1 at home.

Key Games and Notable Moments

May 16, 1984, was probably Stegman’s biggest day. Playing for the White Sox against Kansas City, he hit two home runs.

He started the game in center field and batted seventh. That two-homer game was a real highlight.

Those home runs were his only ones that year. It was a reminder that, given the chance, he could make things happen.

He played center that day, showing his flexibility in the outfield.

Home Runs and Doubles

Stegman hit 8 home runs in his six MLB seasons. That’s not a lot, but it’s about what you’d expect from a utility outfielder back then.

In 1984, both his homers came in the same game against Kansas City. At home, he managed 2 home runs, 1 double, and 2 triples in 53 at-bats.

His power disappeared on the road in 1984. No home runs, doubles, or triples in 39 away at-bats.

The difference between his home and road numbers in 1984 was wild. He slugged .528 at Comiskey Park but just .179 on the road.

Career Highlights and Achievements

David William Stegman found success in the minors and international competition. He played for Team USA in two major tournaments in the mid-1970s, picking up some recognition for his offense.

Triple-A and Minor League Success

Stegman worked his way through the minor league system from 1976 to 1986. He spent a lot of time in Triple-A, which is the top level of minor league baseball.

His minor league journey lasted over a decade. That long stretch really gave him time to sharpen both his batting and fielding.

Triple-A experience set the stage for his shot at the majors. You can see his growth in the minor league stats before he landed with the Detroit Tigers in 1978.

International and Team USA Highlights

Stegman played for the United States in international competition during his amateur days. He joined Team USA for the 1974 Amateur World Series.

Probably his biggest international moment happened at the 1975 Pan American Games. Team USA grabbed the silver medal there.

Stegman actually led all players at the Pan Am Games with 8 runs scored. That kind of offense showed he could step up on the international stage.

He got these international chances before he turned pro. Those tournaments helped him stand out as an amateur and probably got scouts interested.

Retirement and Post-Baseball Life

Dave Stegman wrapped up his professional baseball career on July 22, 1984, when he played his final game for the Chicago White Sox at age 30. Not much is really known about what he did after leaving Major League Baseball, at least not in public records.

Final MLB Season in 1984

Stegman finished his big league run with the Chicago White Sox in 1984. He played his last game on July 22, 1984, against the Cleveland Indians. That day, he went one for three at the plate, with no homers or RBIs.

The 1984 season had a few highlights for him. On May 16, 1984, he launched two home runs against the Kansas City Royals, both off Larry Gura. He batted seventh and played center field in that game, though the White Sox ended up losing 7-6.

Earlier that month, Stegman made baseball history on May 8, 1984. He became the only player to have eight at-bats in extra innings during a single game. The White Sox beat the Milwaukee Brewers 7-6 in a marathon 25-inning battle.

He came into that game as a pinch-runner for Greg Luzinski in the eighth inning. Out of his eight extra-inning at-bats, he only managed one hit. The game actually stretched over two days because they hit a curfew after 17 innings.

Life After Professional Baseball

Not much info about Stegman’s life after baseball pops up in public records. You don’t see him in the usual circles—he didn’t jump into coaching, broadcasting, or any of those baseball front-office gigs that so many ex-players seem to try.

His MLB run lasted six years. Stegman finished with a .206 batting average, 8 home runs, and 32 RBIs in 172 games.

He spent time with three teams: the Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, and Chicago White Sox.

Stegman was born on January 30, 1954, in Inglewood, California. He went to the University of Arizona, and before turning pro, he played for Team USA in international competitions.

He took part in the 1974 Amateur World Series. At the 1975 Pan American Games, he led the tournament with 8 runs and picked up a silver medal.

Honestly, it looks like Stegman just preferred to keep things private after his baseball days.