Steve Rogers (baseball)

Infobox MLB retired
name=Steve Rogers
position=Pitcher
bats=Right
throws=Right
birthdate=birth date and age|1949|10|26
city-state|Jefferson City|Missouri
debutdate=July 18
debutyear=by|1973
debutteam=Montreal Expos
finaldate=May 19
finalyear=by|1985
finalteam=Montreal Expos
stat1label=Win-Loss record
stat1value=158-152
stat2label=Earned run average
stat2value=3.17
stat3label=Strikeouts
stat3value=1,621
teams=
* Montreal Expos (by|1973-by|1985)
highlights=
* 5x All-Star selection (1974, 1978, 1979, 1982, 1983)

Stephen Douglas Rogers (born October 26, 1949) is a former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played his entire career for the Montréal Expos. He batted and threw right-handed.

Born in Jefferson City, Missouri, raised in Springfield, Missouri and graduate of the University of Tulsa, Rogers is remembered as the most successful pitcher in Montreal Expos history. Rogers was known for an unusual delivery, appearing to almost stumble during his follow-through. Although he never won 20 games, Rogers averaged 14 wins per season between 1974 and 1985. Rogers rarely missed a turn in the rotation until a throwing arm injury shortened his career. His most productive season came in 1982, when he collected a career-high 19 wins, pitched four shutouts, and led National League pitchers with a 2.40 ERA.

According to his book "No More Mister Nice Guy", former Expos manager Dick Williams, Rogers' manager from 1977 to part of 1981, was not a fan of Rogers. Williams accused Rogers of being unwilling to step up when his team needed him in big games once the Expos became contenders. According to Williams, Rogers was at his best when the Expos were bad because he had no pressure. Williams called Rogers "a fraud", claiming that he had "king of the mountain syndrome". Rogers defeated the Philadelphia Phillies and their ace Steve Carlton twice in the 1981 National League Division Series. He held the Phillies to one run in Game One and hurled a six-hit 3–0 shutout, helping himself with two RBI in the deciding Game Five, to send Montreal to the National League Championship Series. In Game Three of that Series, Rogers pitched a seven-hit 4–1 complete game against the Dodgers, but lost Game Five in relief when he allowed a pennant-winning home run to Rick Monday. The decision of manager Jim Fanning to use Rogers in that game, on only two-days rest, is still debated by Montréal fans.

In a 13-year career, Rogers posted a 158-152 record with a 3.17 ERA and 1621 strikeouts in 2837.2 innings. He pitched 129 complete games with 37 shutouts in 399 appearances, 393 as a starter. In four post-season games, Rogers was 3-1 with a 0.97 ERA and two complete games.

Rogers now resides in West Windsor Township, New Jersey and works at the Major League Baseball Players Association. [Miller, Lynn. [http://www.wwpinfo.com/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=75&twindow=&mad=No&sdetail=2933&wpage=1&skeyword=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subname=&pform=&sc=1108&hn=wwpinfo&he=.com "Sugar Plum Role For WW Teen In ‘Nutcracker’"] , "West Windsor & Plainsboro News", November 30, 2007. Accessed April 14, 2008. "Rogers, 16, is a junior at High School South. Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, she has lived in West Windsor for eight years. Her father, Steve Rogers, a former baseball player, works at the Major League Baseball Players Association."]

Highlights

*Five-time All-Star (1974, 1978-79, 1982-83)
*Twice led National League in shutouts (in 1979 [5] and 1973 [5] )
*Led National League in ERA (1982)
*Three-time Top Five in Cy Young Award vote (1980, 1982-83)
*"TSN" National League Rookie of the Year (1973)

ee also

* List of Major League Baseball leaders in career wins
* List of Major League Baseball ERA champions
* Montreal Expos all-time roster

References

ources

* [http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/R/Rogers_Steve.stm Baseball Library]
* [http://www.baseball-reference.com/r/rogerst01.shtml Baseball Reference]