| George Stone | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1946-07-09)July 9, 1946 (age 79) Ruston, Louisiana, U.S. | |
Batted: Left Threw: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| September 15, 1967, for the Atlanta Braves | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 27, 1975, for the New York Mets | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 60–57 |
| Earned run average | 3.89 |
| Strikeouts | 590 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
George Heard Stone (born July 9, 1946) is an American formerMajor League Baseballpitcher. He is likely best remembered for his1973 season with theNew York Mets, when he went 12–3 with a 2.80 ERA -- leading the National League in winning percentage -- to help the Mets to the1973 World Series.
Stone playedcollege baseball andbasketball forLouisiana Tech, and was drafted by theAtlanta Braves in the1966 Major League Baseball draft. After two seasons in the Braves' farm system, in which he went 16–9 with a 2.51earned run average, he reached the majors as a September call-up in1967. He made his major league debut on September 15 atAtlanta–Fulton County Stadium, and lasted just a third of an inning and giving up threeearned runs against theChicago Cubs.[1]
After starting the1968 season in the minors, Stone reached the majors again that July. Though he had been used primarily as astarting pitcher in the minors, he was used primarily out of thebullpen when he first joined the Braves. By August, however, he had earned a spot in the starting rotation, and went 7–3 as a starter his rookie season.
Stone was 13–10 with a 3.65 ERA for theNational League West champions in1969. He made just one appearance in the1969 National League Championship Series, pitching one inning in the third, and final, game against the Mets.[2]
Stone was acquired withFélix Millán by theNew York Mets from the Braves forGary Gentry andDanny Frisella on November 1, 1972,[3] one of the best trades in Mets history. As with the Braves, Stone began his career with the Mets as arelief pitcher, going 1–0 with asave and a 0.60 ERA before being added to the starting rotation. Though he lost his first two starts, Stone proved an invaluable addition to the Mets' starting rotation, winning his last eight decisions, as the Mets came from 12.5 games back to win theNational League East.
Stone started game four of the 1973 NLCS, going 6.2 innings and giving up one run before giving way to the bullpen. TheCincinnati Reds won the game in twelve innings;[4] however, the Mets won game five to head to theWorld Series. Stone was used out of the bullpen in the1973 World Series, appearing in games two and seven, and he was on the mound for.a successful save in the former (a 10-7 victory).[5]
In 1974 and 1975, Stone was unable to match his early success with the Mets, going 5–10 with a 5.04ERA, and ended up tearing hisrotator cuff. Following the 1975 season, he was traded to theTexas Rangers forBill Hands. Stone (and Hands) retired from baseball instead.
In his career, Stone won 60 games against 57 losses, a .513winning percentage, with 590strikeouts and a 3.89 ERA in 1020.2innings pitched. As a batter, he had 72 hits in 339 at-bats for a .212batting average with onehome run, 33runs and 39RBI.