The popular hard-worker was one of baseball's mound workhorses in a baseball career that spanned from 1977-1989. Toiling as a long reliever, as a closer and a starter, Bob Stanley threw a hard-breaking sinker to post a fine 3.64 career ERA in 637 games, 1707 innings. Born in Portland, Maine, Bob Stanley was the Red Sox first draft pick in the Jan 1974 secondary phase. He debuted in the majors with Boston in 1977 and was 8-7 in 41 games, including 13 starts. In his brilliant sophomore season (1978) Stanley finished second in baseball in winning percentage - 15-2, .882 winning pct., and his 2.60 ERA was fifth best in the American League, and he collected 10 saves in 53 games, 50 of them in relief.

Bob Stanley became a starter for the Boston Red Sox in 1979 and had a nice 16-12 W/L record, 3.99 ERA, with 4 shutouts, while completing 9-of-30 starts, plus 10 relief appearances, and the crafty hurler surrendered just 11 homers in 216 2/3 innings. Standing 6ft, 4inches, and weighing 215 pounds he was moved back into the Red Sox bullpen in 1981 and strung together some resounding years. In 1983 he saved a career-best 33 games in 64 relief appearances and had a 2.85 ERA in 145 1/3 innings. Bob Stanley career stats: 115-97 record, 3.64 ERA, 637G, 85GS, 21GC, 7 Shutouts, 132 Saves, 1858 hits in 1707 innings, 113Hr allowed, 693 Strikeouts, 471 Walks, a .282 on-base-pct. baseballhistorian.com - The History of Baseball