| Don Stanhouse | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1951-02-12)February 12, 1951 (age 75) Du Quoin, Illinois, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| April 19, 1972, for the Texas Rangers | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 24, 1982, for the Baltimore Orioles | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 38–54 |
| Earned run average | 3.84 |
| Strikeouts | 408 |
| Saves | 64 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Donald Joseph Stanhouse (born February 12, 1951) is an American former professionalbaseballpitcher who had an eight-yearMajor League Baseball (MLB) career (1972–1980) with a brief comeback in 1982. He pitched for theTexas Rangers andBaltimore Orioles of theAmerican League and theMontreal Expos andLos Angeles Dodgers of theNational League.
Stanhouse was traded, along withPete Mackanin, from theRangers to theExpos forWillie Davis at theWinter Meetings on December 5, 1974.[1] Shuttled back and forth from thebullpen to the starting rotation with the Rangers and Expos, he was acquired along withJoe Kerrigan andGary Roenicke by the Orioles from Montreal forRudy May,Randy Miller andBryn Smith at the Winter Meetings on December 7, 1977.[2] Stanhouse excelled in 1978 when ManagerEarl Weaver employed him as a full-timecloser. Because of hisHarpo Marxhairstyle and pre-game batting practice antics – where hisprimal scream would entertain early ballpark arrivals – he was quickly labeledStan the Man Unusual, a pun on thenickname "Stan the Man" for Hall-of-FamerStan Musial.[3]Jim Palmer said that in 1978, he was the Orioles' best relief pitcher.[4]
Stanhouse finished third in the American League in both 1978 and 1979 in saves, recording 45 over that span, helping the Orioles capture the American League Championship in 1979. He was selected to the American LeagueAll-Star team in 1979.
Although an effective closer, Stanhouse had a reputation of walking batters he was not willing to face. Frequently, his tactics would lead to dangerous situations in close games with multiple base-runners, and send the chain-smoking Weaver pacing back and forth in the dugout in agony. This resulted in Weaver nicknaming StanhouseFullpack, referring to the number ofcigarettes consumed while watching him pitch. Weaver also was quoted in saying Stanhouse was an asshole, who ruined his health.[3]
Stanhouse left the Orioles as a free agent after the Orioles lost the 1979 World Series and signed a large guaranteed contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was ineffective for the Dodgers in 1980, appearing in 21 games and posting an ERA over 5.00. The Dodgers sent Stanhouse home during the season. He did not pitch at all in 1981, after which his contract expired, and he was not re-signed by the Dodgers. Stanhouse retired after a brief comeback with the Orioles the following year.
After retirement, Stanhouse became abusiness consultant for aventure capital firm. Married for 27 years, and a father of three, he lives inTrophy Club,Texas.[3]
· Baseball Almanac