Bob Stoddard

Robert Lyle Stoddard (born March 8, 1957 in San Jose, California) is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Seattle Mariners, Detroit Tigers, San Diego Padres and Kansas City Royals. Stoddard attended Fresno State University and he threw and batted right-handed.

Stoddard, who was 6'1" and 200 (some sources say he was 190 or 210) pounds, was drafted four times. He was drafted in the 19th round of the 1975 draft by the Milwaukee Brewers, in the 3rd round of the 1976 draft by the Oakland Athletics. In 1976, he was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the third round too, this time in a different draft (there are multiple drafts held each year). He wasn't drafted at all in 1977, and in 1978-when he was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 10th round-he finally decided to sign.

Stoddard had spent less than four seasons in the minor leagues when he made his Major League debut on September 4, 1981, at the age of 24. He experienced two successful seasons in 1981 and 1982, posting ERAs of 2.60 and 2.41 in each of those two seasons, respectively. In 1983, his statistics went "downhill"-his win-loss record was a mediocre 9-17. After that season, his ERA reached under 3.00 only once more. His final game was September 19, 1987. After retiring Stoddard opened a batting cage facility in Bellevue, Washington called STODS [1] He currently resides in Kirkland, Washington.

On April 18, 1986, Stoddard was traded to the San Diego Padres with a minor leaguer named Kevin Russ for outfielder Rusty Tillman. Bob now has three children also living in Kirkland, Washington.

Stoddard didn't get much of a chance to hit, but in one career at-bat, he struck out.

Stoddard was a fairly steady fielder, committing only two errors in his career, both in 1983.

• In 1987, Stoddard earned $65,000.
• An excerpt from Baseball Library:
• Stoddard started a baseball league after he retired based in Bellevue and Mukilteo, Washington, called Stod's Baseball League.
• He also owns two batting cages in Bellevue and Mukilteo, Washington called "Stods" or "Stods Batting and Pitching Cages"