Sequoia Sports Hall of Fame
 

Richard L. (Dick) Stuart
Sequoia Class - 1951

1900-1926 - 1926-1950 - 1950-1974 - 1974-2002 - Coaches
Highlighted names have bios included.


“I was kneeling in the on-deck circle (when Bill Mazeroski hit his dramatic 9th inning home run in the 7th game of 1960 World Series) thinking I was going to be the hero. And all of a sudden, I was out on the field jumping around.” A graduate of Sequoia’s 1951 class, Dick Stuart could never be accused of lacking confidence. He had the distinction of being the first professional baseball player to hit over 60 home runs since Babe Ruth’s 60 home runs in 1924, when he hit 66 homers at Lincoln, of the Class A Western League, in 1956. From that time on, he always signed autographs with his name and a “66.” Dick was a swarthy 6’ 4”” and weighed 228 lbs.

Few athletes create such vivid memories that they have their name attached to an icon for their sport. Dick Stuart will be forever associated with the term “Dr. Strangeglove.” When Dick joined the Pittsburg Pirates in 1958 the team moved him from the outfield to first base…figuring that he could do less damage there with his poor fielding. Former Pirate shortstop Dick Groat observed: ”Dick’s biggest problem was his lack of concentration. Thinking about hitting instead of playing defense. It wasn’t that his hands were so bad. Dick just wanted to hit the ball. He didn’t want to be catching it or fighting ground balls. To Dick, fielding was a necessary evil.” Former Pirates infielder Dick Schofield said, “Everyone liked Dick, but he did have trouble with that leather thing.” Once during a Pirates’spring training game, the stadium said: ”Anyone who interferes with the ball in play will be ejected from the ballpark.” Pirates’ manager Danny Murtaugh was heard to say, “I hope Stuart doesn’t think that means him.”

Dick’s home runs during his local playing days are legendary. The fence at Burton Park in San Carlos was raised several times to avoid Dick’s home runs from hitting the homes across the street from the park. When one of his home runs cleared the fence and nailed a passing auto, breaking its windshield, Dick was seen to give the motorist his business card, telling them he would pay for the windshield.
Dick Stuart split playing time during the championship 1960 season with Rocky Nelson, hitting 23 home runs, and batting in 83 runs. The following year he hit 35 home runs, with 117 runs batted in. During the 1963 season, with the Boston Braves, he hit 42 home runs, batting in 118. Both figures led the American League that year. During the home run hitting contest, prior to an All Star Game, Dick and Wally Post (legendary home run hitter) had an epic home run contest. After Wally had conquered Hank Aaron, Dick and Wally went at it, with Dick finally winning 12 to 11.

Dick played for 6 teams in a 10 year major league career, seeing action in two World Series and one All Star Game. He batted .297 in 1959, and .301 in 1961, both years with the Pittsburg Pirates. He had outstanding runs batted in years during 1959 (78), 1960 (83), 1961 (117), 1963 (118), 1964 (114), & 1965 (95). He averaged 119 games played during his first eight major league seasons, and totaled 228 home runs hit during his ten year major league career. Dick made World Series apppearances during 1960 with Pittsburgh, and the Dodgers in 1966. His major league baseball career moved from Pittsburg, to Boston, to Philadelphia, to the New York Mets. L.A. Dodgers, and finished with the California Angels, in 1969.

He lost his battle with cancer in December of 2002.