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

Samuel Lee “Sammy” Stewart made a mark in Major League Baseball, pitching for three teams from 1978 to 1987 before he finally hung up his cleats. The right-handed pitcher from North Carolina left his imprint with the Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, and Cleveland Indians during his ten-season career.

In 1981, Stewart led the American League with a 2.32 earned run average, establishing his reputation as one of the top pitchers of his time. He played a key role in helping the Baltimore Orioles grab the 1983 World Series championship, pitching crucial innings during their playoff run. His career stats—59 wins, 48 losses, and a 3.59 ERA in 359 games—show that he was a steady and reliable presence at the highest level of baseball.

But Stewart’s story isn’t just about what he did on the field. His life included both big wins and tough losses, from his early days in Asheville, North Carolina, to his later battles with addiction and legal trouble. His journey gives us a glimpse into the pressures athletes face and the difficulties that can come after the cheers fade away. It’s compelling, and honestly, a bit of a warning for anyone dreaming of the big leagues.

Early Life and Background

Samuel Lee Stewart was born on October 28, 1954, in Asheville, North Carolina, to Samuel Lee Stewart Sr. and Mary Faye Wardrup.

His journey from a small North Carolina community to the MLB started with strong family support and obvious athletic talent that showed up during his high school years.

Family and Childhood

Sammy grew up in Swannanoa, North Carolina, and people there would eventually call him “The Throwin’ Swannanoan.” He was born to Samuel Lee Stewart Sr. and Mary Faye Wardrup on October 28, 1954.

The Stewart family gave Sammy a stable home. He spent eight years in elementary school in his hometown. Swannanoa, tucked into the Blue Ridge Mountains, was the kind of tight-knit place where a kid could fall in love with baseball.

His family background built up values that stuck with him during his baseball career. The support from his parents really mattered as he started to stand out as a young athlete in the North Carolina mountains.

High School and College Years

Stewart went to Charles D. Owen High School in Swannanoa. While in high school, he met Peggy Jean Logan, who became his high school sweetheart and eventually his wife in January 1977.

After graduating, Stewart headed to Montreat Anderson Junior College in Montreal, North Carolina. He spent two years at the junior college, sharpening his pitching.

That college experience at Montreat helped him refine his skills on the mound. The junior college setting let him grow as both a student and an athlete before he made the leap to pro baseball.

Path to Professional Baseball

The Kansas City Royals picked Stewart in the 28th round of the June 1974 free-agent draft, but he didn’t sign with them.

Instead, Baltimore Orioles scout Rip Tutor approached him, and Stewart signed as a nondrafted free agent with the Orioles on June 15, 1975. That choice changed everything for his career.

The Orioles sent him to the Bluefield Orioles in Bluefield, West Virginia, in the Appalachian League. Stewart was just 20 when he pitched in 18 games his first pro season, starting four and posting a 3-3 record with a 6.07 ERA as he got used to pro ball.

Major League Baseball Career Highlights

Sammy Stewart made his mark in Major League Baseball with an unforgettable debut, eight strong seasons with the Baltimore Orioles, and steady work for other teams before wrapping up his career in 1987.

MLB Debut and Record-Breaking Strikeouts

Stewart’s pro debut on September 1, 1978, at Memorial Stadium turned into one of the most memorable rookie outings ever. Facing the Chicago White Sox, the 23-year-old righty struck out seven batters in a row.

That set a rookie record that nobody’s beaten since. Stewart struck out the side in both the second and third innings, then fanned the first batter in the fourth before Mike Squires finally popped up to left and broke the streak.

The Orioles won 9-3. Stewart went 5.1 innings, gave up six hits and two earned runs, struck out nine, and didn’t walk anyone.

When the National Baseball Hall of Fame asked him about his greatest baseball moment, Stewart pointed to this record-breaking debut. No rookie has matched those seven straight strikeouts in their first game.

Performance with the Baltimore Orioles

Stewart spent his first eight

Community Influence and Charitable Acts

Stewart stayed deeply committed to helping young baseball players through his later years. He taught as a pitching instructor at D-Bat on Hendersonville Road, charging as little as $25 per lesson.

D-Bat General Manager Samuel Mason appreciated Stewart’s humble approach to coaching. “He didn’t flaunt his name, he didn’t flaunt his success,” Mason said. “He came in here every week to help pass the game on.”

Stewart’s students usually improved under his guidance. Mason pointed out that they “always walked out a better ball player” after working with the former World Series champ.

The former pitcher spoke openly about his struggles with addiction when he worked with young athletes. He used his own experiences as teaching moments, sharing honestly about legal trouble and drug problems.

Stewart also coached at UNC Asheville earlier in his post-baseball career. He focused on fundamental skills and mental preparation, drawing from his decade of major league experience.

Tributes and Obituaries

Family members remembered Stewart as a man with a generous heart, even with his personal struggles. His older sister Linda Banks described his most striking feature: “If you could look into his eyes, they just sparkled and they just drew you in.”

Banks said Stewart made people feel heard during conversations. “When you were talking to him, you felt like he was really listening to you,” she told the Citizen Times.

Stewart had been his parents’ “golden boy” and kept close family relationships even during his darkest times. His sister said he stayed “very alive” despite his troubles and addiction issues.

Childhood friend Steve Davidson remembered Stewart’s personality from their youth. “He was a real class-clown kind of guy, always cutting up and having fun,” Davidson said. “And he was a great player, no matter what the sport.”

The baseball community recognized Stewart’s contributions too. The Baltimore Orioles website once featured articles about him, describing him as a favorite among teammates during his playing days.

Memorial and Burial Information

Stewart died on March 2, 2018, in Hendersonville, North Carolina. Deputies found him at a home on Mountain Road after folks hadn’t seen him for several days.

Major Frank Stout of the sheriff’s office said the medical examiner requested an autopsy. “It doesn’t appear to be suspicious, but we will not make a call on anything until we’ve got confirmation from the medical examiner,” Stout said.

Stewart was 63 years old when he died. He had lived in Hendersonville since his release from prison in early 2013.

The former pitcher had four children. Two sons, Ryan and Christian, survived him. His son Colin died in Stewart’s arms from cystic fibrosis at age 11, and his daughter Alicia also died from the same disease in 2016.

His sister Linda Banks, who lives in Arkansas, treasured their last beach trip together after his prison sentence. She said Stewart loved the mountains and was “what we call a Valley boy,” always preferring his North Carolina home over anywhere else.

Net Worth and Financial Overview

Sammy Stewart’s financial situation reflected the modest salaries of 1980s baseball players. He earned most of his money during his 10-year MLB career from 1978 to 1987.

His post-retirement years brought personal struggles that hit his financial stability hard.

Career Earnings and Salary

Stewart earned his living during his decade in Major League Baseball, playing for three teams. Back in the late 1970s and 1980s, baseball salaries were way lower than what you see now.

He made most of his income during his peak years with the Baltimore Orioles. Leading the American League in earned run average in 1981 probably helped his salary negotiations.

Stewart pitched in 359 major league games and finished with a 59-48 record and 45 saves. He contributed as both a starter and reliever, which made him valuable when it came to contracts.

He also earned extra from postseason appearances in 1979 and 1983. His role in the Orioles’ 1983 World Series championship brought in additional playoff bonuses.

Post-Retirement Financial Status

After he retired in 1987, Stewart ran into some pretty serious financial challenges that were tangled up with his personal struggles.

People say he battled drug addiction after his baseball days, and that really took a toll on his finances.

He also got into legal trouble later on, which probably made things even tougher for him.

Those problems chipped away at the lifestyle he once enjoyed as a player.

Back then, players like Stewart didn’t have the same shot at long-term financial security as today’s stars.

Salaries in the 1980s just weren’t that high, so most guys needed to look for other ways to make money after hanging up their cleats.

Stewart died in 2018 in Hendersonville, North Carolina.

He stayed involved with the local baseball community there, mostly through coaching.