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Overlooked to be sure, Vern Stephens made for all star teams for the the St. Louis Browns and for more for the Red Sox. A home run champion and three-time RBI leader, he was a rare run-producing shortstop.

Six times Stephens topped the 90-RBI mark, four times eclipsing triple-digit totals. Stephens slugged 20 or more homers in six seasons. Twice he hit 30 or more.

His best year came in 1949. Stephens posted career highs in hits, homers, RBI, walks, and total bases. The infielder received votes in MVP balloting in 9 seasons.

In 15 years his teams reached the post-season only once, losing in the 1944 World Series. His greatness is forgotten today in part because he labored for second-rate teams. For his career, Stephens totaled 1,001 runs scored, 1,174 RBI, and 247 homers.

His 46.4 WAR ranks ahead of Cooperstown shortstops Rabbit Maranville (44.0)Travis Jackson (44.0), and Phil Rizzuto (42.2). It also puts Stephens ahead of Hall of Fame hopefuls Omar Vizquel (45.6), Troy Tulowitzki (44.5), Davey Concepcion (40.1), and Maury Wills (39.6).

In the collection is this file copy letter to Stephens from Yankee public relations director Bob Fishel. In it Fishel invites Stephens to the 1965 Old Timers’ game.

Yankee executive Bob Fishel thought of former Boston nemesis Vern Stephens.

The PR man writes, “This year we are honoring all-time award-winners — the MVPs, Rookies of the Year, Babe Ruth World Series Award Winners, Managers of the Year, Sporting News Players of the Year, Cy Young Award winners, batting champions, etc. As you are one of this select group we are happy to extend you this invitation.”

One can imagine the 44-year old Stephens looking fit and ready to play in 1965.

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After three all star campaigns in his first 8 seasons with the St. Louis Browns, Stephens was traded to the Red Sox. He hit behind Ted Williams and enjoyed his best offensive seasons.

His first four seasons in Boston were spectacular. He averaged 33 homers, 147 RBI, 316 total bases. Stephens’ slugging percentage during that time was .507. That kind of production from a shortstop was unheard of.

Many believe Stephens’ career warrants consideration for Cooperstown. Though he received little support from the writers, Stephens has appeared on the Veterans Committee ballot.

Shown here is Stephens’ response to Yanks PR man Bob Fishel’s invitation to play in the 1965 Old Timers’ Game. It reads “Received your wire. Send details. Accept invitation.”

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Vern Stephens played during an era when little offense was expected from the shortstop position. For the ten-year period from 1942-1951, Stephens was an outlier.

He averaged 23 homers and 105 RBI. Stephens OPS+ was 123. The middle infielder made 8 all star teams in ten years, receiving MVP votes in all but his injury-plagued 1951 season. Even that year was prolific. Stephens hit .300, slugged .501, and drove in 78 runs in just 109 games.

His 159 runs batted in during 1949 set a record for RBI by a shortstop. More than 70 years later the mark still stands. For his career, Stephens had 247 homers, 1,174 RBI, and 1,001 runs scored. His lifetime OPS is .815 while his OPS+ is 119.

Working against Stephens case for Cooperstown is his lack of production after the age of 30. Stephens couldn’t stay on the field starting in 1952, his age-31 season. He averaged just 77 games per season from 1952 until he retired in 1955 at age 34.

Stephens also played for second-division teams, starting with his 8 seasons with the St. Louis Browns. Some players remain in the public eye after retirement and build awareness for their case for the Hall. Stephens died of a heart attack just 12 days after his 48th birthday.

Shown here is Stephens handwritten thank-you note to Yankees PR director Bob Fishel who invited him to the Old Timers’ Game.

Stephens writes, “Forgot to give the airplane receipt it is enclosed. Thanks to you and the Yankees for a wonderful time. I sure enjoyed it.” Stephens then pens his name at the bottom of the letter.