Don Stanhouse – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Don Stanhouse made his mark as a Major League Baseball pitcher in the 1970s and early 1980s. People still remember him as one of the game’s most colorful relief specialists.

He was born on February 12, 1951, in Du Quoin, Illinois. Over his pro career, he played for four different teams before finally hanging up his cleats in 1982.

Stanhouse called it quits in the winter of 1982 at just 31 years old. That wrapped up a career that ran from 1972 to 1980, with a brief comeback in 1982.

His best years came in Baltimore. Manager Earl Weaver used him as a closer and called him “Fullpack,” thanks to all the cigarettes Weaver smoked while watching Stanhouse handle tense situations.

Let’s take a look at Stanhouse’s journey from a small-town Illinois athlete to an All-Star closer. His story covers early development, pro achievements, and the stats he left behind.

He had some big moments that helped teams reach the postseason. He also played for several organizations and later moved into business consulting in Texas.

Early Life and Background

Donald Joseph Stanhouse was born on February 12, 1951, in DuQuoin, Illinois. His family had Scottish-Irish roots.

His athletic skills showed up early. He excelled in both baseball and football at DuQuoin High School.

College football recruiters and MLB scouts took notice. He had real options in both sports.

Childhood and Family

Stanhouse grew up in DuQuoin, Illinois, a small town with a close-knit community. His Scottish-Irish heritage shaped his early years.

Athletic achievement mattered a lot to people in DuQuoin. Stanhouse’s family taught him the value of hard work and determination.

Those traits stuck with him throughout his sports career. Illinois gave him plenty of chances to play baseball and football.

The state’s sports culture really helped young athletes develop. Stanhouse took full advantage of that.

High School Baseball at DuQuoin

At DuQuoin High School, Stanhouse showed serious talent. He earned All-American honors in both baseball and football.

Scouts and coaches took notice of his baseball skills. The school considered him the best athlete they’d ever had in both sports.

On the football field, he led by example and made big plays. One reporter remembered him dropping back on fourth down and throwing a “Hail Mary” pass 56 yards.

Fans at Van Meter Field still talk about his performances. He combined athletic ability with mental toughness, making him a hot commodity for college and pro teams.

Draft Selection in 1969

The Oakland Athletics picked Stanhouse ninth overall in the first round of the 1969 draft. They wanted him as a third baseman, seeing his potential.

Meanwhile, University of Missouri coach Dan Devine offered him a football scholarship. Stanhouse suddenly faced a tough decision between two great opportunities.

In a rare move, both the Athletics’ Charlie Finley and Devine worked together. They set up a deal so Stanhouse could play baseball and still get a college education.

Honestly, that’s not something you see every day in pro sports. It says a lot about how much both sides respected Stanhouse’s talent and character.

Professional Career Overview

Don Stanhouse played pro baseball for 10 seasons between 1972 and 1982. He finished with a 38-54 record and a 3.84 ERA in 294 games.

He spent time with four teams and racked up 64 saves. His best years came as a relief pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles.

Major League Debut with Texas Rangers

Stanhouse made his MLB debut with the Texas Rangers on April 19, 1972, at 21 years old. He spent three seasons in Texas, mostly as a starting pitcher.

His rookie year looked promising, even though he went 2-9. He posted a 3.78 ERA over 104.2 innings in 24 games, with 16 starts.

He struck out 78 but walked 73, showing both potential and some control issues. The next year, 1973, things got tougher—he finished with a 4.76 ERA and a 1-7 record in 21 games.

Stanhouse’s role started to shift. By 1974, he only appeared in 18 games, all in relief, with a 4.88 ERA.

The Rangers traded him after that, ending his run in Texas.

Transition to Montreal Expos

Stanhouse joined the Montreal Expos in 1975. That year didn’t go well—he pitched just four games and had an 8.31 ERA over 13 innings.

But in 1976, things started to turn around. He posted a 9-12 record with a 3.77 ERA in 34 appearances, mostly as a starter.

He completed eight games and tossed 184 innings. In 1977, he moved more into relief work, pitching in 47 games (16 starts), earning 10 saves, and finishing with a 3.41 ERA.

He improved his control and became a key part of Montreal’s pitching staff. Those years helped him become a more complete pitcher.

He learned to harness his stuff and gained experience in different roles. That experience would help him later in Baltimore.

Key Seasons with Baltimore Orioles

Stanhouse hit his stride with the Baltimore Orioles from 1978 to 1979. He became one of the American League’s top relief pitchers and made his only All-Star team in 1979.

1978 Season Highlights:

• 6-9 record with 24 saves
• 2.89 ERA in 74.2 innings
• 56 games, all in relief

In 1979, Stanhouse had his career year. He posted a 2.85 ERA, 21 saves, and a 7-3 record.

His performance helped the Orioles compete in the AL East, and he earned his only All-Star nod. Stanhouse handled high-pressure situations with confidence, pitching in 52 games and finishing 46 of them.

He kept excellent control of the strike zone. Those years in Baltimore really defined his career.

Final Playing Year and Retirement in 1982

Stanhouse spent a brief, rough stint with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1980. He struggled, posting a 5.04 ERA in 21 games.

He tried a comeback with the Orioles in 1982. That season, he appeared in 17 games and had a 5.40 ERA over 26.2 innings.

His effectiveness from the late ’70s just wasn’t there anymore. At 31, he decided to retire after the 1982 season.

His last game happened on September 24, 1982. That marked the end of a decade-long career filled with ups and downs.

Stanhouse finished with 64 saves and a 3.84 ERA in 760.1 innings. His Baltimore years showed what he could do as a top-notch reliever.

Notable Performances and Achievements

Don Stanhouse peaked in 1979, earning an All-Star spot and pitching in the World Series for the Baltimore Orioles. That season made him a national name and helped Baltimore reach the championship.

All-Star Selection

Stanhouse made the All-Star team in 1979 with the Orioles. That was his best season as a reliever.

The honor highlighted how effective he was out of the bullpen for Earl Weaver. Stanhouse consistently handled high-pressure situations.

His All-Star selection capped off years of development. It validated his move to relief pitching and his value to the Orioles’ playoff run.

Memorable Games and Highlights

One game that stands out happened on June 13, 1973. Stanhouse got his first save in organized baseball, pitching for the Texas Rangers against Cleveland.

He struck out the side in the ninth to seal the win. Before the inning, he told himself he’d strike out all three batters.

He fanned John Lowenstein and Buddy Bell, gave up a single to Jack Brohamer, then struck out George Hendrick to end it.

In 1976 with Montreal, Stanhouse threw a complete-game shutout against the Padres. He also tossed a one-hit, 95-pitch gem over the Richmond Braves while playing for Memphis.

In 1977, he posted a remarkable 1.52 ERA in 31 relief appearances for Montreal. That was a real high point for him.

Playoff Appearances

Stanhouse’s biggest achievement came with the Orioles’ World Series appearance in 1979. He finally got to pitch on baseball’s biggest stage.

His work in the bullpen helped Baltimore navigate the playoffs. That postseason run was the highlight of his career.

He wouldn’t have reached the World Series with Montreal, so the trade to Baltimore paid off. His playoff experience showed he could handle October pressure.

Statistical Legacy

Don Stanhouse finished with a career record of 38 wins and 54 losses and a 3.84 ERA from 1972-1982. He saved 64 games, with his best years as a closer for Baltimore.

Career Pitching Statistics

Stanhouse’s numbers show a pitcher who found his groove as a reliever. He played in 298 games for five teams.

He struck out 408 batters. His 3.84 ERA speaks to his effectiveness, especially considering the challenges of relief pitching.

Key Career Stats:

• Games: 298
• Wins: 38
• Losses: 54
• ERA: 3.84
• Saves: 64
• Strikeouts: 408

Most of his 64 saves came during his peak with Baltimore from 1978-1979. He finished third in the American League in saves both years, racking up 45 saves over that stretch.

He helped the Orioles capture the 1979 AL Championship.

Role and Style as a Pitcher

Earl Weaver made Stanhouse a full-time closer in 1978 with Baltimore. That move led to the best stretch of Stanhouse’s career.

Jim Palmer, his teammate, called Stanhouse the Orioles’ best reliever in 1978. His work as a closer earned him the 1979 All-Star nod.

Stanhouse had a habit of walking batters he didn’t want to pitch to. That approach often put multiple runners on base in close games.

His style drove Weaver nuts—the nickname “Fullpack” came from the cigarettes Weaver would smoke while Stanhouse pitched.

Earlier on, with Texas and Montreal, teams bounced him between starting and relief. But once he focused on closing, he really found his place.

Comparison to Contemporaries

Stanhouse grabbed third place in American League saves during both 1978 and 1979, putting him right up there with the top closers of his era.

He racked up 45 saves in those two seasons, which, honestly, is elite production for any reliever.

The 1979 All-Star nod really cemented his status as one of the American League’s premier relief pitchers. Baltimore fans definitely saw him at his best then.

When Stanhouse left the Orioles for the Dodgers in 1980, things took a downturn. He only got into 21 games for LA, and his ERA shot over 5.00.

A lot of late-1970s relievers followed a similar arc, finding success as the closer role started to become a real thing. Bullpen specialization was just starting to catch on during Stanhouse’s best years.

He tried a short comeback with Baltimore in 1982, but the stats barely registered. Stanhouse threw his last major league pitch on September 24, 1982, closing out an eight-year career that included a two-year gap.

Teams Played For

Don Stanhouse suited up for four big-league teams between 1972 and 1982. He started out with the Texas Rangers, then landed with the Montreal Expos, hit his stride with the Baltimore Orioles, and wrapped up his career after a tough stint with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Impact with Texas Rangers

Stanhouse made his major league debut on April 19, 1972, with the Texas Rangers. He was just 21.

He spent three years with the Rangers, from 1972 to 1974. They used him all over the place, shuffling him between the bullpen and the starting rotation.

That back-and-forth made it tough for Stanhouse to settle into any one role. The Rangers themselves were still new to Texas, having just moved from Washington.

Stanhouse was part of those early years as the team tried to figure itself out. His performance in Texas was modest—he was still learning what it took at the big-league level.

Eventually, the Rangers decided to move him. They traded him in a deal to get veteran outfielder Willie Davis.

On December 5, 1974, at the Winter Meetings, the Rangers sent Stanhouse and Pete Mackanin to the Montreal Expos. That trade closed the Texas chapter of his career and opened another.

Contributions to Montreal Expos

Stanhouse pitched for the Montreal Expos from 1975 through 1977. The Expos kept switching him between starting and relief, much like Texas did.

That constant shuffling didn’t make things easier, but he still managed to grow as a pitcher. Montreal was a young National League club, still building its identity.

Stanhouse never really got to specialize in one role there. The Expos hung onto him for three seasons, seeing something they liked.

But eventually, they made a move. In a bigger trade at the 1977 Winter Meetings, Montreal sent Stanhouse, Joe Kerrigan, and Gary Roenicke to the Baltimore Orioles. Rudy May, Randy Miller, and Bryn Smith went to Montreal in return.

That trade? It changed everything for Stanhouse.

Success with Baltimore Orioles

Stanhouse finally hit his stride with the Orioles between 1978 and 1979. Manager Earl Weaver made the call to use him as a full-time closer in 1978.

That clarity was a game-changer for Stanhouse. He thrived as the closer, quickly becoming one of Baltimore’s most dependable relievers.

Jim Palmer even called him the Orioles’ best relief pitcher in 1978. Stanhouse’s personality was just as memorable as his pitching.

Fans loved him for his wild Harpo Marx hair and his pre-game antics—like the famous primal scream before batting practice. That’s how he earned the nickname “Stan the Man Unusual.”

Career Stats with Baltimore:

• 1978-1979: 45 combined saves
• 1979: American League All-Star selection
• Both years: Third in AL saves

Stanhouse played a big part in the Orioles’ 1979 American League Championship run. He had a habit of walking hitters he’d rather not face, which made games tense.

Manager Weaver joked about it and called him “Fullpack,” a nod to all the cigarettes he’d smoke while Stanhouse was on the mound.

Stint with Los Angeles Dodgers

After the Orioles lost the 1979 World Series, Stanhouse left as a free agent. He signed a big guaranteed deal with the Dodgers for 1980.

His time in LA didn’t go well. He only pitched in 21 games, and his ERA ballooned over 5.00. The magic from Baltimore just wasn’t there anymore.

The Dodgers eventually sent him home during the season because he wasn’t performing. He didn’t pitch at all in 1981 once his contract ran out.

LA chose not to bring him back after that. That was pretty much the end of his major league career, though he tried a quick return with Baltimore in 1982.

Stanhouse’s last big-league appearance came on September 24, 1982, with the Orioles. After that, he called it a career for good.

Life After Retirement

After he put away his glove for good in 1982, Don Stanhouse jumped into the business world. He built a successful career in investment banking and venture capital, but he still kept a hand in baseball by mentoring young players.

Career Beyond Baseball

Retiring at 31 in 1982 forced Stanhouse to figure out a new path. For the first time since high school, he needed to make a name for himself outside of sports.

He got into investment banking and spent 12 years learning the ropes in financial services. That time gave him real experience in corporate finance and business development.

In 1995, he started Stanhouse & Associates. That move from employee to entrepreneur worked out, and he went on to create two more businesses.

His ventures grew to include:

• Pro Players Legacy Group
• Pro Players Power and Gas

Stanhouse proved he could use his business instincts in all sorts of industries. His days as a pro athlete gave him a unique way of working with high-performance people and organizations.

Community Involvement

Stanhouse didn’t cut ties with baseball after retiring. He coached and mentored young players, sharing what he learned over his decade in the majors.

That involvement kept him connected to the game and helped him bridge the gap between playing and retirement. Stanhouse used his baseball knowledge to help guide up-and-coming athletes.

He didn’t just stick to formal coaching, either. He took part in clinics and youth programs, helping develop talent at the grassroots level.

Personal Life and Legacy

Stanhouse built a family life with two daughters who went on to have successful careers. Kameryn works in advertising and marketing in New York City. Kelsey Heil is married and made Stanhouse a grandfather.

His first grandchild arrived in June 2012, which brought something new and meaningful to his life after baseball.

At 58, Stanhouse really leaned into what one reporter called “the button-down world,” a sharp contrast to his wild playing days. He shifted from the unpredictable “Stan the Man Unusual” to a businessman, showing just how adaptable he could be.

He threw himself into business consulting with venture capital firms, attacking it with the determination he used to show on the mound. Stanhouse managed to reinvent himself and kept that competitive drive that always defined his baseball career.