Dr. Strangeglove

Dick Stuart (1932–2002) began as a minor league first baseman, noted for his outsized ego and terrible fielding. His brash personality and 66 home runs for the Lincoln Chiefs of the Western League made him a national figure in 1956. In 1958, he came up to the majors in Pittsburgh and played some fine seasons with the Pirates, and later the Boston Red Sox. In 1961, he was selected for the National League All-Star team, and he led the American League in RBI in 1963.

A wise-cracking bon vivant, his career was not what it might have been. If he had worked harder, he might have been a better player. If Bill Mazeroski hadn’t ended the 1960 Series with a home run, Stuart, who was on deck, might have been the hero. Yet his great hitting ability, quick wit and love for the limelight made him one of the most interesting players of his era.

William J. Ryczek is a finance professional from Wallingford, Connecticut, who writes about early baseball, football, the Yankees, and the Mets.

William J. Ryczek
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 254
Bibliographic Info: 23 photos, appendix, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2021
pISBN: 978-1-4766-8553-3
eISBN: 978-1-4766-4327-4
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments vi
Introduction: On the Brink of Greatness 1
1. Stuart Might as Well Not Even Take a Bat to the Plate: 1932–1951 7
2. He Has Power, He Has a Good Arm and He Will Give You a Million Laughs: 1952–1954 12
3. Potentially, He Is the Best Hitter in the Pittsburgh Organization: 1955 20
4. The Most Sensational Individual Player in the Capital City’s Diamond Memory: 1956 25
5. Jesus, There Goes Dick Stuart: 1957 38
6. Shepard Has a Problem—So Had Miller Huggins with Babe Ruth: 1958—Part 1 53
7. I’m Living in a Dream World at the Moment: 1958—Part 2 61
8. You Can’t Blame It All on Stuart: 1959 76
9. The People Came to See Me Hit the Home Run, Not You, Bill: 1960 92
10. I Want This Club to Play Me Regularly or Trade Me: 1961 109
11. He’s Too Good a Hitter to Be Kept in Check for a Long Time: 1962 118
12. You Gotta Have the Park: 1963 128
13. It’s About Time Stuart Grew Up: 1964 145
14. They’ve Been Very Impartial Here—They Boo Everybody: 1965 159
15. I’m Not in a Position to Give Anyone an Ultimatum: 1966 174
16. I Don’t Think I Could Play Here One More Minute: 1967–1968 188
17. The Old Dick Stuart Is Just That, a Thing of the Past: 1969 197
18. A Nobody: 1970–2002 202
Appendix 213
Dick Stuart Home Run Log 213
Chapter Notes 225
Bibliography 241
Index 243